Auxerre
Auxerre was once a flourishing Gallo-Roman centre called Antissiodorum. Set next to the river Yonne it has been an important centre for trade and industry over many centuries. Today it is the capital of the Yonne département of Burgundy and home of the government offices and administration for the region. With 40,000 inhabitants, the town has a gentle, relaxed atmosphere with interesting shops, fabulous architecture and buildings, a variety of restaurants and cafés, a beautiful cathedral and a successful football team (AJA) which is an institution in the town !
Auxerre is a good destination for older groups. It is just 25 minutes from Lac Sauvin and 50 minutes from Méluzien which makes it an ideal excursion for an afternoon, combining a cultural and historical experience with a bit of shopping and relaxation.
Our visit begins with a walk over the footbridge into the old town and a short tour of some of the medieval buildings and streets. We then organise pupils into teams and challenge them to a treasure hunt, to help them explore the centre of town. Treasure hunt complete, there remains some time to visit a local café or explore the local shopping facilities.
More information can be found at the tourist office website - http://www.ot-auxerre.fr/en/index.php.
