Auxerre had its origins from the strategic
position it occupied on the old Roman road
from Lyon in the south to the northern
provinces via Paris. Its presence on this trade
route brought economic development. The town grew
in size and importance. The 5th century
Bishop Germain, who’s abbey is here,
also brought pilgrims to his tomb. In the 12th
century it was named "holy city" by Rome.
It is a pleasant town today, with small streets,
and a port on the Yonne river for private river
boats.It’s cathedral is an impressive structure
built over a 300 year period beginning in the 13th
century. The tunic of the St. Germaine is here and
in the crypt 9th century frescoes are the earliest
known in France. The Abbaye St. Germaine is nearby
which contains the Archeological Museum. The Musée
Meblanc-Duvernoy contains an interesting collection
of chinaware and some Beauvais tapestries from the
18th century. |
