Auxonne

The Bonaparte statue

This bronze sculpture was created by François Jouffroy in 1857. The pedestal on which the statue stands was designed by Phal-Blando, the same architect who renovated the Town Hall. Napoleon Bonaparte is depicted with a proud and elegant bearing, his hand tucked under his jacket over his heart, wearing the artillery officer's uniform he wore during his stays in the town. This statue was a tribute to Bonaparte for his two visits to Auxonne.

Timber-framed house

This magnificent house perfectly represents medieval architecture. It's worth noting that, unlike others in the city, it survived a fire that broke out in the 14th century. It has been listed as a Historical Monument.

Hôtel de Ville

Renovated in a neo-Gothic style, the building has a red brick facade and a slate roof. Note the sundial painted on the facade of the pavilion to the left. Inside is a Louis XIII staircase (for tours, please contact the town hall reception). The Town Hall was formerly the residence of the Dukes of Burgundy.

County Gate

Built in 1503 under Louis XII to reinforce the existing defensive system, the Comté Gate was the eastern entrance to the city, that is, on the County side. It was later preserved in the 17th-century fortifications.

Royal Gate

Formerly known as the Flammerans Gate, the Royal Gate was the northern entrance to the city for those arriving from the County of Burgundy. Begun by the Count of Aspremont in 1677, it was completed by Vauban. The upper floor of the central pavilion was added in 1717 and served as a prison during Napoleon's stay. The main entrance is surmounted by a trophy of arms bearing the royal coat of arms. In July 2016, a fire broke out at the Royal Gate, necessitating roof renovations.

Auxonne Castle

After the death of the last Duke of Burgundy, Charles the Bold, in 1477, King Louis XI of France undertook the reconquest of the Duchy of Burgundy. In 1479, he ordered the construction of three fortified castles to monitor the Burgundians newly subjected to the Duchy of Burgundy and the border with the Holy Roman Empire: the castle of Dijon, the castle of Beaune, and the castle of Auxonne.

The Belvoir Tower

The Belvoir Tower, dating from the 14th century, gives us a glimpse of what the city walls looked like in the Middle Ages. Along with the Signe Tower, they are the only ones still standing today, compared to the 23 towers that existed at the time.

The Swan Tower

Circular in shape and 14,30 meters in diameter, the Tour du Signe (Tower of the Sign) is part of the medieval city walls. Its open-air terrace served as an artillery platform. It was built in the 14th century and then reinforced in the 16th century. It was after the completion of this work that the tower was named the Tour du Signe (or Swan Tower). This name is believed to have been given in honor of Claude of France, the daughter of King Louis XII, who died in July of the same year, and whose emblem was the swan.

Notre Dame Church

At the center of the Place d'Armes, the Notre-Dame Church is the city's main monument. It was classified as a Historical Monument in 1907.

It was built gradually between the 13th and 16th centuries: first the nave and the choir, preserving the bell tower of the original church, then the side chapels, and finally the portal and its two towers. In the 19th century, major restoration work was carried out by Phal Blando.

Inside, discover the Callinet organ, the pulpit attributed to Denis le Rupt, the eagle lectern, remains of frescoes, or the Virgin and Child known as the Virgin with Grapes attributed to Claus de Werve.

Les Halles

These were double-row shops with a salt storehouse at the back, supplied by Salins-les-Bains, as well as the "King's Weigh House" where all merchandise was weighed, subject to a tax payable to the king. In 1674, they served as an arsenal for manufacturing gun carriages intended for the conquest of Franche-Comté. In 1689, Vauban built the structure we know today as the Arsenal. In 1830, the Arsenal was moved to Besançon.