Auxois & Morvan
Auxois & Morvan:fortified castles, hedged farmland and forests
Semur-en-Auxois, Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, Alésia, Saulieu, the Lac des Settons and the Morvan park: the medieval and wild Côte-d'Or, between blond Burgundy stone and Morvan granite.
The essentials
Auxois & Morvan in figures
The Abbaye de Fontenay has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981: it is the most complete Cistercian ensemble in Burgundy, with its dormitory, forge and monastic gardens.
Semur-en-Auxois has a Notre-Dame church listed as a historic monument since 1840, and Flavigny-sur-Ozerain is one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, with its ramparts and its aniseed factory.
For history, Alésia tells the story of the siege of 52 BC at the MuséoParc; as for access, the Montbard TGV station puts Paris 1h10 away, fifteen minutes from Semur-en-Auxois by taxi.
The 10 villages & sites
From Semur to the Morvan, the Burgundy of castles.
Bastide
Semur-en-Auxois
Medieval bastide with pink ramparts overlooking the meanders of the Armançon, panorama from the Pont Joly.
Hilltop
Flavigny-sur-Ozerain
Listed hilltop village, abbey and famous aniseed sweets, setting of Lasse Hallström's film Chocolat.
History
Alésia
Siege of Vercingetorix, immersive MuséoParc, monumental statue and Gallo-Roman remains on Mont Auxois.
Gastronomy
Saulieu
Gateway to the Morvan, Romanesque basilica of Saint-Andoche and the Bernard Loiseau restaurant, an institution of French gastronomy.
Château
Château de Bussy-Rabutin
Painted ceilings with gallant portraits, biting epigrams by Roger de Rabutin, exiled by Louis XIV.
UNESCO
Abbaye de Fontenay
The Cistercian abbey of Fontenay, a UNESCO site since 1981: dormitory, forge, cloister and monastic gardens.
Fortress
Châteauneuf-en-Auxois
Medieval fortress overlooking the Canal de Bourgogne, canal bridge and panorama over the Ouche valley.
Cheese
Époisses
Medieval village and AOP cheese washed in marc de Bourgogne, one of the smelliest in France.
Nature
Lac des Settons
Water sports and leisure base in the heart of the Morvan regional nature park, swimming and sailing in summer.
Nature park
The Morvan
Deep forests, lakes, granite and hiking: the wildest massif in Burgundy, spread across four départements.
Frequently asked questions
Auxois & Morvan: what people ask us
01Fontenay or Alésia if I only have one day?
Choose according to your interest: Fontenay for Cistercian architecture (abbey listed by UNESCO since 1981, allow two hours for the visit), Alésia for Gallic history (MuséoParc and remains of the siege of 52 BC). The two sites are less than thirty minutes apart by car: combining them remains possible if you start early.
02Do I need a car to visit the Auxois?
In practice, yes: the sites are scattered and local public transport is limited. The nearest TGV station is Montbard (Paris in 1h10), then a taxi to Semur-en-Auxois. The stations at Avallon and Corbigny serve the Morvan.
03How long should I allow in the Auxois?
Two days cover the essentials: one day for Semur-en-Auxois and the Abbaye de Fontenay, another for Alésia and Flavigny-sur-Ozerain. Add one to two days if you want the Lac des Settons and the Morvan park.
04Where to stay in the Auxois and the Morvan?
Semur-en-Auxois concentrates the hotel offering of the north of the Auxois. The guide details the options by profile: gîtes in the vineyards, hotels in Dijon, accommodation in the Morvan.
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