The Enduring Echo of Augustodunum
Autun, once founded as Augustodunum, was a strategic and cultural center of Roman Gaul. Traces of this glorious era are still visible everywhere and form the backbone of the city. Imagine standing two thousand years ago at the colossal structure of the Temple of Janus. What remains of it still dominates the landscape, an impressive testament to Roman architecture, whose true dedication remains a mystery to this day.
Autun's city gates tell a story of their own. The Porte d'Arroux is one of the best-preserved Roman city gates in France. Legions and traders once passed through here, on their way to bustling Augustodunum. The elegance of its arches and robust towers bear witness to advanced Roman engineering. Equally impressive is the Porte Saint-André, the eastern entrance to the Roman city. With its three passages and elegant gallery, this structure has stood proudly for almost two thousand years.
The scale and importance of Augustodunum only truly become clear at the Roman walls of Autun. These colossal defensive works, built in the 1st century AD, once surrounded the entire city and are the best preserved in France. They tell the story of a powerful Roman metropolis and its need for protection. And then there's the Gallo-Roman theater of Autun, once one of the largest of its kind in Gaul, with seating for up to 20,000 spectators. Here, the voices of crowds, gladiators, and actors echoed through the valley. Even the remains of the intriguing Roman structure, locally known as the 'Temple of Apollo', add to the mystery of this thriving Roman city, hidden amidst the greenery.
From Romanesque Masterpieces to Charming Alleys
After the Roman period, Autun remained an important city, as evidenced by its rich architecture from later centuries. The Cathédrale Saint-Lazare towers like a fortress above the city and is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. The cathedral is famous for the breathtaking sculptures by Gislebertus, especially the tympanum of the Last Judgment, which has inspired pilgrims and believers for centuries. Near the cathedral, on the Place du Terreau, you'll find the charming Fontaine Saint-Lazare, a peaceful spot inextricably linked to the city's history and its majestic sanctuary.
Autun also preserves rare examples of medieval civil architecture, such as Maison Saint-Christophe. With its charming timber-framed construction and characteristic facade, you'll feel transported directly to the 15th century. Another iconic landmark is the elegant Tour des Ursulines, the last remnant of a 17th-century Ursuline convent. This slender tower offers a beautiful view over the city and is a silent witness to centuries of history, from religious life to the French Revolution.
To delve deeper into the city's stories, there's the Lapidarium Museum Saint-Nicolas, housed in the former church of Saint-Nicolas. This building holds a treasure trove of Roman and medieval sculptures and inscriptions, where the stones themselves tell tales of Autun's past. For those who wish to escape history for a moment, the Muséum d'histoire naturelle d'Autun offers a charming change of pace. Housed in an elegant building, this museum invites you to discover the rich biodiversity of Burgundy and beyond, from prehistoric fossils to exotic butterflies.
- 12 stops
- Start anywhere
- ~6,1 km route length
- ~1069 m longest stretch
- about 2–2,5 h duration
- Free
