Kinesiology Workshop in Epoisses
A playful kinesiology workshop to promote well-being and body awareness.
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Semur-en-Auxois
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ℹ️Practical info — Semur-en-Auxois
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- For the classic postcard view of the medieval town, head to the Pont Joly bridge.
- Wear flat, comfortable shoes as the historic center is very hilly and entirely cobbled.
- Parking inside the historic walls is very limited; use the parking lots near the 'Promenades' just outside.
- The four prominent towers (including Tour de l'Orle d'Or) look best in the late afternoon sunlight for photography.
- Guided tours usually start at the tourist office and offer access to historical areas that are otherwise closed.
🍽 Food
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Bœuf Bourguignon
Try this classic beef stew in the traditional bistros around Place Notre-Dame.
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Époisses cheese
A very pungent local cheese. Pick one up at a central fromagerie for a riverside picnic.
🍽
Burgundy Snails (Escargots)
Frequently served as a starter in the restaurants along Rue Buffon or down by the river.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
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Local Market
Look for fresh Burgundy produce and local delicacies in the town center on market days.
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Burgundy Wines
Pick up a bottle of Chablis or Pinot Noir at the small wine shops (cavistes) along the historic streets.
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Local Crafts
Near the Notre-Dame church, you'll find small boutiques selling handmade ceramics and art.
🧘
Promenade du Rempart
A peaceful walkway along the old fortification walls offering views of the Armançon valley.
🧘
Armançon River Banks
Walk down to the river level to escape the bustle and enjoy the relaxing waterside atmosphere.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
4
Semur Amateur Theatre Festival
Local theatre groups showcase their talent at the annual festival in Semur-en-Auxois.
Garage Sale in Villeneuve
Find great bargains at this cozy neighborhood garage sale in the streets of Villeneuve.
Duo RECUERDOS in Concert
An evening of classical masterpieces and South American rhythms performed by Duo RECUERDOS.
Semur-en-Auxois is a well-preserved medieval town located in the Côte-d'Or department of the Burgundy-Franche-Comté region in eastern France. The town is dramatically situated on a pink granite plateau encircled by a horseshoe bend of the Armançon River. Its historical roots trace back to the 7th century, though it reached its peak of strategic importance in the Middle Ages. In the 14th century, during the Hundred Years' War, Duke Philip the Bold fortified the town with a massive defensive system, including a castle and extensive ramparts. Today, four imposing circular towers remain as a testament to its military past, with the Tour de l'Orle d'Or being the most prominent. The collegiate church of Notre-Dame stands at the heart of the settlement.
- Location: Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
- Top sights: Notre-Dame Collegiate Church · Tour de l'Orle d'Or · Pont Joly
- Nearby: Montbard (15 km)
- Population: ~5.124
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 1 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 6 | 2 |
| Rain mm | 61 | 50 | 57 | 56 | 77 | 65 | 64 | 68 | 51 | 73 | 70 | 72 |
Live webcam – Semur-en-Auxois
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Geography
Facts
- The town is built on a distinctive plateau of pink granite stone.
- Construction of the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame started in 1222.
- Four large circular towers from the 14th-century castle still stand.
- The Tour de l'Orle d'Or is 44 meters high with 2-meter thick walls.
- Semur-en-Auxois served as the historical capital of the Auxois region.
- The Armançon River forms a natural defensive moat around the town.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
A day in the city
Pick weather + travel mode, get a concrete day plan.
09:00→15:501.2 km walk7 places0/7
Day budget: ≈ 22–30 €Entries 26€ · Transport 0€
In the morning, enter the medieval core through ancient gates to discover the 13th-century Gothic Notre-Dame church. Midday is perfect for savoring Burgundy specialties on the terraces of the old town squares. Afternoon is spent exploring the massive ramparts and the Orle d'Or tower, offering sweeping views of the river loop. The evening concludes at Pont Joly, the most iconic viewpoint to capture the town's reflection in the Armançon.
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10:04 · 47'
Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame
Some stained glass windows date back to the 13th century.
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09:00→14:482 km ride6 places0/6
Day budget: ≈ 29–39 €Entries 22€ · Transport 12€
A bike trip in Semur-en-Auxois combines medieval history with the nature of the Armançon valley. We start in the upper town and descend to the river to see the fortress from a different perspective. The route follows the old walls and offers a sporty challenge during the climbs back to the center.
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09:00→16:252.3 km drive8 places0/8
Day budget: ≈ 26–35 €Entries 30€ · Transport 0€
By car, we explore Semur-en-Auxois in clusters. First, we park in the upper town for the churches and squares, then we drive down to the river for the iconic bridges and rampart promenades. A short trip to the Calvaire viewpoint provides the perfect panoramic photo of the entire medieval complex.
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Sights in the town Semur-en-Auxois (5)
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best view of Semur-en-Auxois?
From the Pont Joly bridge, you get the iconic view of the town walls and the four towers.
How far is it from Dijon?
Semur-en-Auxois is about 70 km northwest of Dijon, reachable in approximately one hour by car.
Can you visit the towers?
The Tour de l'Orle d'Or tower houses a small museum and can be climbed during the summer months.
Are there local specialties to try?
Try the Burgundy wines and Époisses cheese, which is produced in a nearby village.
When is the weekly market held?
The traditional market is held every Sunday morning in the town center.
Semur-en-Auxois: where is it located?
Semur-en-Auxois is located in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France.
Semur-en-Auxois: what is there to see?
Highlights include Notre-Dame Collegiate Church, Tour de l'Orle d'Or, Pont Joly.
Semur-en-Auxois: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Semur-en-Auxois: why is it worth visiting?
Semur-en-Auxois is a well-preserved medieval town located in the Côte-d'Or department of the Burgundy-Franche-Comté region in eastern France.
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