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Commune in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
Photo: Michel FOUCHER, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Semur-en-Auxois is a medieval town in the heart of the Côte-d'Or department in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, on the banks of the Armançon. Semur was once a fortified town, and though the castle has now been mostly dismantled, the tall towers and main wall still remain and surround the inner part of the town. Visitors enjoy walking the quaint cobblestone streets, shopping and dining in the pedestrian area, and taking in the magnificent views from the two medieval bridges across the Armançon — the Pont Joly and the Pont des Minimes.
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This Gothic church, built starting in 1225 and restored by Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century, is well worth a visit.
medieval tower
Gives tours of the only tower that you can climb in the city in both French and English. Provides excellent views at the top as well as a museum for the Society of Science and Natural History inside.
townhouse
This 18th-century townhouse is privately owned but the grounds are open at times for tours. The gardens offer beautiful views of the medieval fortifications.
An archaeological museum with a multimedia exhibition, reconstructed fortifications, the remains of a Gallo-Roman city, statue of Vercingetorix.
in the Hostellerie d'Aussois
The little menu (€25) is disappointing, but à la carte meal is fine. Beautiful wine list.
A typical auberge.
Best location in town for a typical, basic cafe. The food is not gourmet but is inexpensive and good. The ice cream is fantastic, and the owners are friendly. Closed Mondays, but on other days, between lunch and dinner as well as the usual times.
wine bar
They serve good Burgundy wine by the glass. Good live jazz music once a week.
A charming renovated mill along the river. Comfortable living room, nice main sleeping room, good fireplace in the kitchen. Terrace and little garden on the river. Very nice.
Beautiful two-star hotel down a quiet road right off the tourist area within the old medieval city. It is close to the tourist office, main bus stop, and many restaurants. Comfortable and clean rooms renovated in a 19th century mansion with a lovely private patio area in the rear, breakfast is offered for €9.
grocery
See the jam "Trinquelette" (maybe the best in the world). Various teas and some fresh vegetables are also sold. If you are staying for an extended period of time, you can order artisanal bread to pick up on Fridays (as the locals do).
Marvellous terrines and cooked ham. Very good free-range chicken.
By car
There is an exit off the A6 Autoroute. When you approach, you will recognize Semur by seeing the cracked tower on the hill.
By bus
The town is easily walkable; many of the streets within the medieval walls are open to pedestrians only. There is also a tourism office near one of the historic gates to the city, which now leads to the tourist area.
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