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Voykit pocket guide · France
Auxerre
Spend a full day in Auxerre (walk the old town, river bridge, cathedral) and add a half‑day trip to nearby Vézelay or Chablis if time permits.
Auxerre is a compact historic town on the Yonne River with a walkable centre, a Gothic cathedral and free mini‑bus service. One day covers the main sights; longer stays let you explore nearby wine villages or the Guédelon experimental castle.
- Country
- France
- Best months
- May–June, September–October
- Avoid
- July–August (heat, crowds in wine region)
- Stay
- 1 night
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 €45–€70 excl. bed · Mid €70–€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 18 · Medical 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 in café | €2–€3 |
| Croque‑monsieur | €8–€12 |
| Bottle of local Yonne wine | €5–€12 |
| Suburban bus ticket | €1.75 |
| Guédelon Castle entry | €14 adult |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CDG · Paris Charles de Gaulle
- ≈170 km (106 mi) by train (check)≈106 mi (170 km) by train (check)
Typical fares
- Paris → Auxerre (TGV)
- ≈ €35 one‑way, 1 h 30 min (check)
- Auxerre local bus
- €1.75 per ride
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 town is best explored on foot; free mini‑bus circles the old centre, suburb bus €1.75 per ride. Bike hire €3‑10 for short trips along the river.
See and do
Known for
- Old Abbey of St. Germain crypt
- Cathédrale Saint‑Étienne
- Guédelon Castle (experimental medieval build)
- Yonne wine region
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Vézelay | Train to Larroche‑Migennes (30 min) then bus 15 min | ≈1 h |
| Chablis | Car or bus 15 km (9.3 mi) north, about 20 minCar or bus 9.3 mi (15 km) north, about 20 min | ≈45 min |
| Guédelon Castle | Car 45 min west (no public transport) | ≈1 h 30 min |
Sleep
- Ibis Auxerre Centre
- 8 min walk from train station, double rooms from €68, breakfast €12
- Camping Municipal d'Auxerre
- 2 km (1.2 mi) from centre, open 1 Apr–15 Oct1.2 mi (2 km) from centre, open 1 Apr–15 Oct
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Pardonpardon |
| Thank you | Mercimerci |
| How much is it? | C’est combien ?c’est combien |
| Where is the toilet? | Où sont les toilettes ?où sont les toilettes |
| Can I pay by card? | Je peux payer par carte ?je peux payer par carte |
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 St. Germain crypt (€8 entry).
- Guédelon Castle has no direct public transport; plan a car or taxi for the 45‑min drive.
- Summer heat can make river walks uncomfortable; carry water.
Auxerre is generally safe; petty theft can occur in tourist spots, keep bags close. Nightlife is low‑key, stay in well‑lit bars.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Auxerre yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Old Abbey of St. Germain crypt
- Cathédrale Saint‑Étienne
- Guédelon Castle (experimental medieval build)
- Yonne wine region
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Auxerre tourism website: www.auxerre.fr/Attractive/Tourisme
- Wikivoyage: Auxerre, revision 5245694 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5245694
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/auxerre). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.