--- title: "Théâtre romain d’Autun: Roman Theatre and Summer Shows" description: "Built in the 1st century for Augustodunum, 148 metres across, among the largest theatres in Gaul. Summer night shows. Private driver from Beaune." url: https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/theatre-romain-autun lang: en updated: 2026-10-02 generated: 2026-10-08 image: https://www.cote-privee.com/og/things-to-do/theatre-romain-autun.png --- # Roman Theatre of Autun (Théâtre romain d’Autun) > Roman Theatre of Autun: One of the largest theatres of Roman Gaul, still used for performances on summer nights. Roman Theatre of Autun is in Autun (Saône-et-Loire), 47 min by road (53 km) from Beaune. Allow 30 minutes to 1 hour · Private driver from Beaune: €165 one way for the whole car, up to 4 guests. On the eastern side of Autun, the tiers of a vast Roman theatre climb a natural slope in open parkland. Built in the 1st century for the city of Augustodunum, it measured 148 metres across. It remains one of the great Roman sites of Burgundy, and in summer it becomes a stage again. ## Key facts - Type: Heritage - Where: Autun · Saône-et-Loire - Location: 40 km west of Beaune · Saône-et-Loire - Coordinates: 46.9531, 4.3102 - 47 min from Beaune - Allow 30 minutes to 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 Augustodunum was founded under the emperor Augustus as the new capital of the Aedui, the Gallic people whose earlier stronghold was Bibracte. The theatre was built in the second half of the 1st century AD, set against a hillside to save on masonry. With a diameter of 148 metres, it ranked among the largest theatres of Gaul. It stayed in use until late Antiquity, then served as a stone quarry through the Middle Ages. Scholars studied the ruins in the 19th century. At the start of the 20th century part of the seating was rebuilt, and from 1909 the theatre hosted performances once again. A major campaign of restoration and excavation followed between 1933 and 1938. The theatre was on the first list of French historic monuments drawn up in 1840, together with two other Roman sites in Autun, the Temple of Janus and the Couhard pyramid. ## What you will see Walk up the grassy tiers and sit where Roman spectators once did, looking down over the orchestra towards the town. On late July and early August evenings, the historical show Augustodunum fills the theatre with a large cast. It moves through the city's past, from chariot races and gladiators in the Roman town to the Middle Ages, ending with the visit of King Francis I to Autun in 1521. ## Planning your visit The theatre is on the eastern edge of town, a short drive from the cathedral. Allow half an hour, or longer if you continue on foot to the Porte Saint-André nearby. For the summer night show, book ahead through the tourist office and bring a cushion, as the official advice points out that the stone seating is not comfortable. ## Did you know? In 1976, aerial photography revealed a second Roman theatre of almost the same size outside the ancient walls, at the Haut-du-Verger, in the sanctuary area around the Temple of Janus. ## Around Roman Theatre of Autun What to combine with Roman Theatre of Autun on the same day, nearest first. ### Villages - [Maranges](https://www.cote-privee.com/villages/maranges) (27 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) (30 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 - [Porte Saint-André](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/porte-saint-andre-autun) (1 km away): The best-preserved Roman gate of Autun, with its arcaded gallery and a tower that is now a Protestant church. - [Couhard Stone (Pierre de Couhard)](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/pierre-de-couhard-autun), 1 km away: A mysterious Roman pyramid on the hillside above Autun, with a wide view over the town. - [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. ### Events - **Around eight evenings from late July to early August, starting at 10pm; in 2026, from 24 July to 8 August.** · [Augustodunum, spectacle historique d’Autun](https://www.cote-privee.com/events/augustodunum-spectacle-historique-autun): A night-time pageant of Autun's two thousand years, staged by volunteers in the ruins of the Roman theatre. (Culture · Autun) ## Questions about Roman Theatre of Autun ### How far is Roman Theatre of Autun from Beaune? Roman Theatre of Autun 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 Roman Theatre of Autun take? For the visit, allow 30 minutes to 1 hour. ### When is Roman Theatre of Autun 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 Roman Theatre of Autun? 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:autuntheatre): €165 one way from Beaune · up to 4 guests ## Sources - - - - --- Canonical page: