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Voykit pocket guide · France
Autun
Spend a half‑day in Autun to see the Roman walls, cathedral and gate; add a night in a local B&B if you want a relaxed evening.
Autun is a compact, walled hill town in Bourgogne‑Franche‑Comté with Roman ruins, a Romanesque cathedral and a medieval gate. Everything is within walking distance, so a half‑day covers the main sights; an overnight lets you enjoy the town’s cafés and a B&B.
- Country
- France
- Best months
- May–June, Sep–Oct
- Avoid
- Jan–Feb (cold, limited opening hours)
- Stay
- 0.5 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Currency is the euro (EUR, €). Contactless cards work in most shops, cafés and restaurants.
- Daily spend
- Budget €55–70 excl. bed · Mid €80–110 excl. bed · High €120+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Orange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.
- Emergency
- Police 17 · Fire and ambulance 18 · Medical emergency (SAMU) 15
- Plugs
- Types C, E · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin plugs; type E sockets have an earth pin sticking out, so Schuko (type F) plugs need a C/E hybrid or an adapter.
- Tipping
- Café or bar: Leave small change, €0.20–1.; Restaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.; Taxi: Round up to the next euro or two.; Hotel porter or housekeeping: €1–2 per bag or per night.; Tour guide: €5–10 per person for a half day, more for private guides.
- Water
- Tap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise. Restaurants must serve a free carafe of tap water on request.
- Toilets
- Paris has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | €2–3 |
| Croissant | €1.5–2.5 |
| Bistro meal (main + drink) | €12–20 |
| Museum entry (Musée Rolin) | €5–7 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- LYS · Lyon–Saint‑Exupéry
- about 2 h drive; car or shuttle bus
Typical fares
- Lyon → Autun (car, 2 h)
- ≈ €40–50 fuel, tolls optional
- Autun centre → Cathedral (walk)
- ≈ 5 min, 400 m
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The walled centre is best explored on foot; streets are pedestrian‑friendly and parking is limited near the historic core.
See and do
Known for
- Roman walls
- Cathedral of St. Lazarus
- Saint‑André Gate
- Roman Theatre
- Musée Rolin
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Mâcon | TER train from Autun, about 30 min | ≈ 45 min |
| Cluny | TER to Chalon‑sur‑Saône (20 min) then bus 15 min | ≈ 1 h 15 min |
| Chalon‑sur‑Saône | TER direct, about 25 min | ≈ 35 min |
| Paray‑le‑Monial | TER to Mâcon (30 min) then bus 20 min | ≈ 1 h 10 min |
Sleep
- Maison Saint Barbe
- B&B in the historic centre, close to the cathedral
- Moulin Renaudiots
- 4‑star guesthouse a short walk from the walls
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Pardonpardon |
| Thank you | Mercimerci |
| How much is it? | C’est combien ?say kohnbyeh? |
| Where is the toilet? | Où sont les toilettes ?oo sohn lay twah-let? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Say 'bonjour madame/monsieur' on entering any shop, bus or office; avoid: Asking a question before saying bonjour — it is read as rude
- Cheek kisses (la bise): Follow the other person's lead; one to four kisses depending on region; avoid: Initiating la bise with strangers or in business
- Addressing people: Use 'vous' and titles until invited otherwise; avoid: First names and 'tu' with older people or staff
- Restaurants: Wait to be seated in restaurants; call the waiter 'monsieur' or 'madame'; avoid: 'Garçon', snapping fingers, asking for the bill before you are finished
- Conversation: Debate is a pleasure; food, politics and philosophy are fair game; avoid: Asking about salary or religion; loud voices on trains
- Dinner at a home: Bring flowers (not chrysanthemums), chocolates or a good bottle; arrive 10–15 minutes late; avoid: Cutting the tip off a cheese wedge or asking for ketchup
- Dress: Smart-casual in cities; covered shoulders in churches; avoid: Beachwear in town centres
Scams and watch-outs
- Check opening hours of the cathedral and museum in winter (some close early).
Autun is low‑risk; pickpocketing is rare, but watch belongings on trains and keep an eye on traffic when crossing the Arroux bridges.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Autun yet. Suggested stay: 0.5 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Roman walls
- Cathedral of St. Lazarus
- Saint‑André Gate
- Roman Theatre
- Musée Rolin
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Autun: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12345
- Wikivoyage: Autun, revision 5268815 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5268815
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/autun). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.