--- title: "Auxerre Old Town and Clock Tower: A Walking Visit" description: "Half-timbered streets and the 15th-century Tour de l'Horloge, whose clock shows the moon's phases. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours, 1 h 45 from Beaune by driver." url: https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/auxerre-old-town lang: en updated: 2026-09-30 generated: 2026-10-08 image: https://www.cote-privee.com/og/things-to-do/auxerre-old-town.png --- # Auxerre Old Town and Clock Tower (Auxerre, tour de l’Horloge et vieille ville) > Auxerre Old Town and Clock Tower: Half-timbered streets, a medieval clock that tracks the moon, and church spires above the river Yonne. Auxerre Old Town and Clock Tower is in Auxerre (Yonne), 1 h 51 by road (167 km) from Beaune. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours · Private driver from Beaune: €415 one way for the whole car, up to 4 guests. Auxerre climbs a hillside above the river Yonne, its skyline marked by the cathedral and the abbey of Saint-Germain. Between them, the old town keeps narrow streets of half-timbered houses. At its heart stands the Tour de l'Horloge, a 15th-century gate tower whose clock shows both the hour and the phases of the moon. ## Key facts - Type: Heritage - Where: Auxerre · Yonne - Location: 130 km north-west of Beaune · Yonne - Coordinates: 47.7959, 3.5699 - 1 h 51 from Beaune - Allow 1.5 to 2 hours - Auxerre - Nearby: [Saint-Bris](https://www.cote-privee.com/villages/saint-bris) - Official website: [ot-auxerre.com](https://www.ot-auxerre.com/) - From Beaune: ≈ 1 h 51 · 167 km - €415 one way from Beaune with a [private driver](https://www.cote-privee.com/private-driver) - Or add it to our [long-day wine tour, €880](https://www.cote-privee.com/wine-tours/long-day). ## Getting there - [Private driver from Beaune](https://www.cote-privee.com/private-driver): 1 h 51 by road (167 km), €415 one way for the whole car. Coming by train or plane? [Transfers from stations and airports](https://www.cote-privee.com/transfers) Estimates per vehicle for up to 4 guests, tolls included. Your price is confirmed when you book. ## History The Tour de l'Horloge stands on the site of an older tower in the town's first walls, from the 3rd or 4th century, which guarded the gate on the road to Paris. It was rebuilt in the 15th century and became the town's clock and belfry in 1483. A fire damaged it in 1825, and the architect Paul Boeswillwald largely rebuilt it between 1891 and 1893. The tower and its dial were restored between 2020 and 2022. Next to the tower lived Guillaume Roussel, known as Cadet Roussel, a court bailiff born in 1743 who died in Auxerre in 1807. His eccentric character and his odd little house, to which he added a narrow loggia above an old porch, inspired a comic song that is still taught in French schools. A plaque under the arch of the clock tower marks the site of his house, and a fountain in town is topped by his statue. ## What you will see Stand beneath the clock and read its two hands. One carries a sun and turns once a day, the other carries a moon, a globe half black and half gold, which turns to show the phases. From there, wander the lanes and small squares of the old town, lined with timber-framed houses, then walk down to the quays. From the bridges over the Yonne you get the classic view of the cathedral and the abbey rising above the river. ## Planning your visit Allow one and a half to two hours on foot, or a full day with the cathedral and Saint-Germain. The Tour de l'Horloge can only be seen from outside. Auxerre is about 1 hour 45 minutes from Beaune and pairs well with Chablis or Saint-Bris. The old town is hilly, so wear comfortable shoes. Please check the official website for opening times of guided tours. ## Did you know? The moon hand of the Auxerre clock runs about three quarters of an hour a day slower than the sun hand. The two meet at noon at new moon and at midnight at full moon. ## Around Auxerre Old Town and Clock Tower What to combine with Auxerre Old Town and Clock Tower on the same day, nearest first. ### Villages - [Saint-Bris](https://www.cote-privee.com/villages/saint-bris) (8 km away): Burgundy's Sauvignon village, built over a maze of medieval cellars. - [Irancy](https://www.cote-privee.com/villages/irancy) (12 km away): The red wine village of the Yonne, set in a bowl of vines and cherry trees. - [Chablis](https://www.cote-privee.com/villages/chablis) (17 km away): Burgundy's northern outpost, where Chardonnay grows on fossil-rich limestone above the river Serein. ### Châteaux - [Château de Maligny](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-maligny) (16 km away): A castle above the Serein north of Chablis, whose name lives on in the Durup family's wines. - [Château Long-Depaquit](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-long-depaquit) (17 km away): An 18th-century château in the heart of Chablis, home of the grand cru La Moutonne. - [Château de Béru](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-beru) (24 km away): A family château above the Chablis vineyards, with a rare sundial and moon dial, and biodynamic wines. ### Things to do - [Église Saint-Eusèbe d’Auxerre](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/eglise-saint-eusebe-auxerre) (1 km away): A church on the site of a 7th-century monastery, with a Romanesque bell tower and a bright Renaissance choir of stained glass. - [Saint-Étienne Cathedral, Auxerre (Cathédrale Saint-Étienne d’Auxerre)](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/cathedrale-saint-etienne-auxerre), 1 km away: A Gothic cathedral above the Yonne, with 13th-century glass and a rare painting of Christ on horseback. - [Église Saint-Pierre d’Auxerre](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/eglise-saint-pierre-auxerre) (1 km away): The winegrowers' church of Auxerre, with a flamboyant tower, a classical façade and a Renaissance gateway inspired by Naples. ### Events - **A long weekend in late August.** · [Rues Barrées](https://www.cote-privee.com/events/rues-barrees-auxerre): Three days of free street theatre, circus and dance in the old streets of Auxerre. (Culture · Auxerre) - **The weekend before Christmas.** · [Marché du Réveillon](https://www.cote-privee.com/events/marche-du-reveillon-saint-bris-le-vineux): A Christmas food market held in the medieval cellars beneath Saint-Bris-le-Vineux. (Christmas · Saint-Bris-le-Vineux) - **A weekend in January, close to the feast of Saint Vincent on 22 January.** · [Saint-Vincent de Chitry](https://www.cote-privee.com/events/saint-vincent-de-chitry): Chitry honours Saint Vincent with a parade, mulled wine for all and a Sunday of tastings. (Tradition · Chitry) - **Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 May 2027 (Confirmed by the organiser)** · [Fleurs de Vigne](https://www.cote-privee.com/events/fleurs-de-vigne-auxerre): The wine festival of the Yonne, held on the Auxerre quays as the vines come into flower. (Wine festival · Auxerre) ### Guides about Auxerre Old Town and Clock Tower - [A Chablis day trip from Beaune](https://www.cote-privee.com/guides/chablis-day-trip-from-beaune) ## Questions about Auxerre Old Town and Clock Tower ### How far is Auxerre Old Town and Clock Tower from Beaune? Auxerre Old Town and Clock Tower is about 1 h 51 from Beaune by road (167 km). With a private driver, the trip from Beaune starts at €415 for the whole car, up to 4 guests. ### How long does a visit to Auxerre Old Town and Clock Tower take? For the visit, allow 1.5 to 2 hours. ### When is Auxerre Old Town and Clock Tower open? Opening days and times change during the year, so check the official website (ot-auxerre.com) before you go. Your driver can plan the day around them. ### Can a private driver take us to Auxerre Old Town and Clock Tower? Yes. Your driver collects you in Beaune or at your hotel in an electric Polestar 2 (up to 4 guests), waits while you visit and plans the rest of the day with you. The driver speaks English, French, Mandarin Chinese and Arabic. → [Long-day wine tour, €880](https://www.cote-privee.com/wine-tours/long-day) ## Book - [Book a driver here](https://www.cote-privee.com/book?service=driver&place=sight:auxerreold): €415 one way from Beaune · up to 4 guests ## Sources - - --- Canonical page: