--- title: "Pierre de Couhard, Autun: the Roman Pyramid and View" description: "The 22-metre core of a 1st-century Roman pyramid above Autun, most likely a tomb, with a view over the town. Short walk up. Private driver from Beaune." url: https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/pierre-de-couhard-autun lang: en updated: 2026-09-30 generated: 2026-10-08 image: https://www.cote-privee.com/og/things-to-do/pierre-de-couhard-autun.png --- # Couhard Stone (Pierre de Couhard) > Couhard Stone: a mysterious Roman pyramid on the hillside above Autun, with a wide view over the town. Couhard Stone is in Autun (Saône-et-Loire), 47 min by road (53 km) from Beaune. Allow 1 hour · Private driver from Beaune: €165 one way for the whole car, up to 4 guests. On a wooded slope south-east of Autun stands the stone core of a Roman pyramid, known as the Pierre de Couhard. It rose in one of the cemeteries of Augustodunum and was most likely a tomb or a monument to the dead. The walk up to it rewards you with a view over the whole city. ## Key facts - Type: Heritage - Where: Autun · Saône-et-Loire - Location: 40 km west of Beaune · Saône-et-Loire - Coordinates: 46.9433, 4.3140 - 47 min from Beaune - Allow 1 hour - Autun - Official website: [autun-tourisme.com](https://www.autun-tourisme.com/decouvrez/une-cite-gallo-romaine/) - From Beaune: ≈ 47 min · 53 km - €165 one way from Beaune with a [private driver](https://www.cote-privee.com/private-driver) ## Getting there - [Private driver from Beaune](https://www.cote-privee.com/private-driver): 47 min by road (53 km), €165 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 Roman towns buried their dead outside the walls, and the pyramid stood in a large burial ground known as the Champ des Urnes. It probably dates from the 1st century. What survives is the inner core of mortared rubble, about 22 metres high on a square base 10.5 metres wide. It was once covered with a regular stone facing, now lost, and is thought to have reached around 33 metres. The monument has long puzzled scholars. In 1640 a digger opened a hole in its side, hoping to find a burial chamber, but the structure proved to be solid. Later soundings in the 19th century found nothing either. In 1960 a lead curse tablet of the 2nd century, inscribed in Latin and Greek, was found at its base. The pyramid was on the first list of historic monuments in 1840. ## What you will see The pyramid stands in a clearing at the hamlet of Couhard. You can walk all the way round it and look into the hole cut in 1640. From the viewpoint, Autun spreads out below, with the cathedral spire rising above the roofs. Keen walkers can follow the marked trail into the Montmain forest, past the Brisecou waterfall, to the Croix de la Libération, a higher viewpoint over the town. ## Planning your visit Couhard is a few minutes by car from the town centre, and the pyramid is reached on foot from the hamlet. The longer forest loop needs walking shoes and a couple of hours. The site is open ground with no facilities. Combine it with the cathedral and the Roman theatre for a rewarding half day in Autun. ## Did you know? A 17th-century story of a gold medal honouring the druids, supposedly found here, led many to believe the pyramid was the tomb of the Aeduan druid Diviciacus. ## Around Couhard Stone What to combine with Couhard Stone on the same day, nearest first. ### Villages - [Maranges](https://www.cote-privee.com/villages/maranges) (26 km away): Three villages on the last slopes of the Côte de Beaune, sharing one appellation for bright, fruity reds. - [Santenay](https://www.cote-privee.com/villages/santenay) (29 km away): Spa town and wine village near the southern end of the Côte de Beaune, known for its reds. ### Châteaux - [Château de Sully](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-sully) (14 km away): A moated Renaissance château where Marshal Mac-Mahon was born, still home to his family. - [Château de Morlet](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-morlet) (15 km away): A fortified manor near Épinac with a striking Renaissance gatehouse of 1584. - [Château d’Épinac](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-d-epinac) (16 km away): Nicolas Rolin's castle above the Drée valley, which gave its name to the town of Épinac. ### Things to do - [Roman Theatre of Autun (Théâtre romain d’Autun)](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/theatre-romain-autun), 1 km away: One of the largest theatres of Roman Gaul, still used for performances on summer nights. - [Saint-Lazare Cathedral, Autun (Cathédrale Saint-Lazare d’Autun)](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/cathedrale-saint-lazare-autun), 1 km away: A Romanesque cathedral whose Last Judgement portal, signed by the sculptor Gislebertus, survived under plaster. - [Remparts d’Autun et tour des Ursulines](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/remparts-d-autun-tour-des-ursulines) (1 km away): Six kilometres of Roman walls, two thirds still standing, ending at a medieval tower crowned by the Virgin. ## Questions about Couhard Stone ### How far is Couhard Stone from Beaune? Couhard Stone is about 47 min from Beaune by road (53 km). With a private driver, the trip from Beaune starts at €165 for the whole car, up to 4 guests. ### How long does a visit to Couhard Stone take? For the visit, allow 1 hour. ### When is Couhard Stone open? Opening days and times change during the year, so check the official website (autun-tourisme.com) before you go. Your driver can plan the day around them. ### Can a private driver take us to Couhard Stone? 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. → [Private driver from Beaune](https://www.cote-privee.com/private-driver) ## Book - [Book a driver here](https://www.cote-privee.com/book?service=driver&place=sight:couhard): €165 one way from Beaune · up to 4 guests ## Sources - - - - --- Canonical page: