--- title: "Semur-en-Auxois: What to See in the Fortified Town" description: "A granite spur in a bend of the Armançon, with four medieval towers and a Gothic church. Allow 2 to 3 hours, about an hour from Beaune by private driver." url: https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/semur-en-auxois lang: en updated: 2026-10-02 generated: 2026-10-08 image: https://www.cote-privee.com/og/things-to-do/semur-en-auxois.png --- # Semur-en-Auxois > Semur-en-Auxois: a fortified town on a pink granite spur, looped by the river Armançon and guarded by great towers. Semur-en-Auxois is in Semur-en-Auxois (Côte-d'Or), 1 h 06 by road (84 km) from Beaune. Allow 2 to 3 hours · Private driver from Beaune: €230 one way for the whole car, up to 4 guests. Semur-en-Auxois rises on a granite spur inside a tight bend of the river Armançon. Four massive towers survive from its medieval fortress, and a tall Gothic church stands at its heart. Seen from the bridges below, the old town makes a memorable picture. ## Key facts - Type: Heritage - Where: Semur-en-Auxois · Côte-d'Or - Location: 65 km north-west of Beaune · Côte-d'Or - Coordinates: 47.4914, 4.3336 - 1 h 06 from Beaune - Allow 2 to 3 hours - Semur-en-Auxois - Official website: [terres-auxois.fr](https://www.terres-auxois.fr/) - From Beaune: ≈ 1 h 06 · 84 km - €230 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): 1 h 06 by road (84 km), €230 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 Semur became the chief town of the Auxois in the 11th century, and Duke Robert II of Burgundy granted it a town charter in 1276. During the Hundred Years' War, Duke Philip the Bold strengthened its natural defences with walls, towers and a fortress called the Donjon. Loyal to the dukes, Semur resisted the French crown, and the troops of Louis XI occupied it in 1478. In 1602 Henri IV ordered the fortifications dismantled. Work on the church of Notre-Dame began in 1225, on the site of an older priory. Viollet-le-Duc restored the church and the ramparts in the 1840s and 1850s. Semur has kept a horse race since 1639, the Course de la Bague, whose winner has received a gold ring since 1651. It is still run on 31 May along a straight course of 2,112 metres. ## What you will see Walk in through the Porte Sauvigny to reach the church of Notre-Dame, with its octagonal spire 58 metres high. Inside, look for 16th-century windows showing drapers and butchers at work, and a late 15th-century Entombment. Outside, the north door tympanum tells the story of Saint Thomas. Then follow the ramparts to the Tour de l'Orle d'Or, 44 metres tall and split by a crack since 1602. End on the Pont Joly for the classic view of the town above the river. ## Planning your visit Allow two to three hours for the old town and a riverside walk. Semur is about an hour from Beaune and combines well with Fontenay Abbey or the MuséoParc Alésia. Streets are steep in places, so wear comfortable shoes. Please check the official website for opening times. ## Did you know? The Tour de l'Orle d'Or has walls five metres thick at the base. The great crack running down its side opened in 1602, the year Henri IV ordered the town's defences taken down. ## Around Semur-en-Auxois What to combine with Semur-en-Auxois on the same day, nearest first. ### Châteaux - [Donjon de Semur-en-Auxois (Tour de l’Orle d’Or)](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/donjon-de-semur-en-auxois), 1 km away: Four huge towers of the dukes of Burgundy's castle still guard the old town of Semur. - [Château de Lantilly](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-lantilly) (7 km away): The 'château of a hundred windows', with 18th-century interiors and a celebrated flowering kitchen garden. - [Château de Bierre-lès-Semur](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-bierre-les-semur) (8 km away): Once called the 'little Versailles of Burgundy', an 18th-century estate now slowly coming back to life. ### Things to do - [Collégiale Notre-Dame de Semur-en-Auxois](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/collegiale-notre-dame-semur-en-auxois) (1 km away): A tall, narrow Gothic church whose windows show the drapers and butchers of Semur at work, and one remembers American soldiers. - [MuséoParc Alésia](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/museoparc-alesia) (11 km away): The battlefield where Caesar defeated Vercingetorix, with a modern museum, Roman siege works and a Gallo-Roman town. - [Les Anis de Flavigny](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/anis-de-flavigny) (15 km away): Aniseed sweets made in a Benedictine abbey, with a Carolingian crypt beneath the workshops. ### Events - **A weekend in May.** · [Fêtes médiévales de Semur-en-Auxois](https://www.cote-privee.com/events/fetes-medievales-de-semur-en-auxois): A weekend of medieval fantasy, music and a banquet beneath the towers of Semur-en-Auxois. (Tradition · Semur-en-Auxois) - **Monday, 31 May 2027 (Expected dates, not yet confirmed)** · [Fête de la Bague](https://www.cote-privee.com/events/fete-de-la-bague-semur-en-auxois): France's oldest horse race, run every 31 May along the chestnut-lined mall of Semur-en-Auxois. (Tradition · Semur-en-Auxois) ## Questions about Semur-en-Auxois ### How far is Semur-en-Auxois from Beaune? Semur-en-Auxois is about 1 h 06 from Beaune by road (84 km). With a private driver, the trip from Beaune starts at €230 for the whole car, up to 4 guests. ### How long does a visit to Semur-en-Auxois take? For the visit, allow 2 to 3 hours. ### When is Semur-en-Auxois open? Opening days and times change during the year, so check the official website (terres-auxois.fr) before you go. Your driver can plan the day around them. ### Can a private driver take us to Semur-en-Auxois? 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:semur): €230 one way from Beaune · up to 4 guests ## Sources - - --- Canonical page: