Travel Guides Crafted by Experienced Archaeologists & Historians
Half timbered medieval houses with bright pink flowers in window boxes, on a narrow street in Autun.

Autun, A Ville d’Art et d’Histoire – Autumn in Burgundy

Founded by Emperor Augustus around 15 BC, in 725 AD Autun would be the eastern most reach of the Muslim Ummayads in Europe. Much later, in the 1830s the town witnessed the beginning of the modern oil shale industry, and in 1852 gave its name to the mineral Autunite. Autun is steeped in many facets of history. Not surprisingly then that this town in the heart of the French region of Burgundy is a designated town of art and history. Following in Roman footsteps, in October Thomas made a brief stop here, and suggests Autun is more than just a staging post.

Autun Sunrise
A typical autumn sunrise from the Roman theatre. Although the artificial lake is much more recent than the theatre, the view for Roman theatre-goers would have been just as spectacular.

Things to Do in Autun

Autun Panorama

Gallo-roman Autun

Autun Gallo Roman Walls
Around 6 kms of ramparts were constructed, along with 54 turrets and bastions. These are still standing along what was the western edge of the Roman city.
Roman Ruins Autun
Three of the more striking Roman monuments in Autun, from left to right: the funerary Couhard Pyramid for the 1st or 2nd century AD; Porte Saint-André – one of the four gates to the Roman city, two of which are still intact; the Temple of Janus, one of the best known of all Romano-Celtic temples.

12th Century Cathedral

Autun Cathedral Saint Lazare
The Romanesque Cathédrale Saint-Nazaire – built in the 12th century to house the relics of Saint Lazarus.
Autun Cathedral Tympanum
The cathedral’s tympanum above the western portal is one of the finest Romanesque carvings in France, and depicts the Last Judgement.

Autun & World War II

Autun Roman Road
An exposed section of the Roman cardo maximus (left) and the memorial to the eight men tortured and executed on this spot in 1944 by the Nazis (right).

Museums in Autun

Autun Musee Rolin
Highlights of the displays in the Musée Rolin, clockwise from top left: model of the Mausoleum of Saint Lazare; portion of the so-called Neptune Mosaic depicting a marine monster that had the head of a bull and a serpent’s tail; a polychrome carving from the mid-15th century depicting the sleeping Virgin Mary; the 19th century gallery.

Where & What to Eat in Autun

Autun Food
Highlights of the displays in the Musée Rolin, clockwise from top left: model of the Mausoleum of Saint Lazare; portion of the so-called Neptune Mosaic depicting a marine monster that had the head of a bull and a serpent’s tail; a polychrome carving from the mid-15th century depicting the sleeping Virgin Mary; the 19th century gallery.

Things I Missed – or the List for My Next Visit

Archaeology Travel Writer

Thomas Dowson

With a professional background in archaeology and a passion for travel, I founded Archaeology Travel to help more people explore our world’s fascinating pasts. Born in Zambia, I trained as an archaeologist at the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa) and taught archaeology at the universities of Southampton and Manchester (England). Read More

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