by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:3rd June 2025

A medieval treat in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

Gary and I adore touring France on a road trip; we’ve been lucky enough over the last three decades to visit so many of its stunning regions from north, south, east and west.

The more towns and villages we explore in France, the further we want to venture and keep adding a wealth of new locations to our ever-growing list.

So, after purchasing our new EV, we plotted another French road trip adventure heading off from the UK. We were going to embrace the new world of EV touring and once again navigate the four points of the compass.

Our two-week EV French road trip began on entering Calais from Le Shuttle in Folkestone. Our first destination was Provins, an ancient UNESCO town in central northern France; then we journeyed further south to the historic town of Semur-en-Auxois in France in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.

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Where is Semur-en-Auxois?

How to get to Semur-en-Auxois

- By Car
Departing from the UK to France, there are various options. You can either jump on Le Shuttle and arrive in Calais in 35 minutes or enjoy a leisurely cruise on the open waves with DFDS or P&O.

- By Air
If you’re flying into France, search for your flights in one easy place with Booking.com. This reliable travel search engine will scan for your favoured routes and chosen dates. Pre-book your hire car from Rental Cars, and your adventure begins.

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Brief history of Semur-en-Auxois

Unfolding centuries of time
The ancient town of Semur-en-Auxois is a captivating medieval town located in the Côte-d'Or department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of eastern France.
A charming street scene in Semur-en-Auxois, France, unfolds with a stone bridge leading towards historic buildings nestled against a lush, tree-covered hillside. The building on the right features distinctive half-timbered upper levels with red cross bracing and a sign reading "Maison Rose 'Les Minimes'." The weathered stone of the bridge and the varied textures of the buildings evoke the town's rich history under a soft, overcast light.
Quaint town of Semur-en-Auxois

Semur-en-Auxois boasts a depth of rich history, with its origins dating back to ancient times. Incredibly, the Jurassic Period called the Sinemurian Age, was named after the tiny town of Semur-en-Auxois. French palaeontologist Alcide d’Orbigny presented this geological stage in scientific literature in 1842.

The historic commune of Semur-en-Auxois sits high upon the scenic banks of the Armançon River. The gurgling running river encircles the town, which is strategically located upon a pink granite outcrop.

A picturesque view captures the medieval town of Semur-en-Auxois, France, perched along the banks of a calm river. An arched stone bridge, likely the Pont Pinard, spans the water, reflecting its structure and the surrounding buildings in the gentle current. The town's ancient stone walls and a prominent round tower rise above the riverbank, nestled amongst charming buildings and lush greenery under an overcast sky.
Pont Pinar & Armançon River

Semur-en-Auxois was once home to a fortified 15th century castle; remains of the castle can still be seen today; however, much of it was dismantled in the 17th century.

River Armançon once provided natural power to the mills and tanneries in the town; in the 19th century, a dam was built upstream to deliver water for the Canal de Bourgogne.

This close-up shot focuses on a square, bronze plaque embedded in the cobblestone pavement of Semur-en-Auxois, France. The plaque features a stylized line drawing of the town's distinctive architecture, including its prominent towers and buildings clustered on a hill. Inscribed on the lower left are the words "FONDERIE D'ART / LAUTERBACH JC / 21210 MARSANNAY le BOIS," and a large numeral "1" is visible on the lower right.
Semur-en-Auxois brass plaque

The beautiful, red-roofed Medieval architecture throughout Semur-en-Auxois is extraordinarily well-preserved, including its impressive ramparts, pepper-pot-shaped towers, and charming bridges.

Semur-en-Auxois was the start of Stage 6 in the 2007 Tour de France; this epic race always offers us inspiration for our French adventures.

Where to stay in Semur-en-Auxois

Hotel Relais De La Cote D'or

The Hotel Relais De La Cote D'or is a charming hotel located in the heart of Semur-en-Auxois. Just step outside, and the beautiful historic town awaits. Its rooms are very comfortable, and the buffet breakfast was delicious.

Onsite parking is available and complimentary, the hotel kindly reserved us a space for EV charging.

Alternatively, pop your dates in the Booking.com search box and discover further options for all budgets.

I love nothing more than planning a trip through France and so often I use the DK Eyewitness books.  I find them extremely informative, easy to follow and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more.

We used a previous version of this book to plan our French road trips, now you can grab the revised copy.

DK France Cover

Exploring Medieval Semur-en-Auxois

Boutiques, bistros and bars
We visited Semur-en-Auxois very briefly many years ago, and this delightful town stayed in our minds as we knew we wanted to visit again. On this occasion, we stayed for the evening to enjoy the relaxing vibes of this picturesque town.
A slightly low-angle shot captures a charming, narrow cobblestone street winding gently through the medieval town of Semur-en-Auxois, France. Colorful triangular pennants in red, yellow, blue, and white stretch across the street overhead, creating a festive atmosphere. Buildings line both sides of the street, showcasing a variety of architectural styles with light-colored stone facades, some featuring balconies with wrought-iron railings and vibrant awnings in red and green.
Historic street
A street-level shot looks down a narrow, winding cobblestone street in Semur-en-Auxois, France, framed by charming medieval buildings. The buildings on either side feature a mix of light-colored stone and distinctive half-timbered facades with dark wooden beams. Colorful triangular pennants are strung overhead, adding a festive touch to the quaint street scene where a few pedestrians stroll along.
Place Notre Dame
Directly opposite our hotel, we step upon the cobbled lanes towards Rue Buffon and the old centre of Semur-en-Auxois. We pass beneath one of the outer historic gates adjacent to the local tourist office and wander into a pretty passageway with colourful fluttering bunting.
A charming square in Semur-en-Auxois, France, is decorated with colorful pennants strung above the aged cobblestone pavement. Shops with outdoor seating and vibrant floral displays line the square, leading towards an arched stone gateway in the background.
Porte Sauvigny
This eye-level shot captures a lively square in Semur-en-Auxois, France, adorned with colorful triangular banners strung between the historic buildings. The cobblestone square features outdoor seating areas with patrons enjoying themselves under red awnings of a café named "Le Mont Drejet." Architectural details include a turret with a patterned roof on the left and various light-colored stone facades with shuttered windows, creating a charming medieval ambiance.
Porte Guillier

Immediately, we are greeted with the imposing, eye-catching medieval gateways of the 15th century Porte Sauvigny with its circular towers, and on the opposite side, Porte Guillier.

These impressive gates look down upon the medieval street of Rue Buffon. This charming street is lined with quaint historic buildings and timber-framed dwellings, and a selection of boutiques, bistros, and bars.

A street-level view captures the impressive Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame in Semur-en-Auxois, France, its light-colored stone architecture rising prominently against a slightly overcast sky. The church features a tall, ornate spire, large arched windows, and a series of smaller towers and rooflines, all enclosed by a stone wall and wrought-iron fencing. A cobblestone street curves in the foreground, bordered by trees and other buildings, leading the eye towards the grandeur of the church.
Collegiate Church of Notre Dame
This interior shot captures the grandeur of the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame in Semur-en-Auxois, France, showcasing its soaring Gothic architecture. Tall, slender columns support pointed arches and ribbed vaults that reach towards the high ceiling. Stained glass windows flood the apse with colorful light, illuminating the altar area and the intricate details of the stone carvings.
The Nave of Church of Notre Dame

The characterful streets of Semur-en-Auxios are a delight to stroll around; there is a lovely mix of architectural styles with so many historic half-timbered buildings to admire, as well as charming homes with traditional slated shutters.

As we wend our way through the medieval lanes, we wandered into the striking Collegiate Church of Notre Dame, which was founded in 1225 in a stunning Gothic style.

France Tourist Information

If you’re tempted to tour France and discover all the delightful things it has to offer, take a peek at the official French Tourism website. The local tourist offices dotted around the towns and cities provide some extremely useful information and handy pointers for around each region.

There are so many incredible places to discover in France, so many regions, and I love planning road trips. I often use the DK Guides,

I find them extremely informative, easy to follow and the pictures and maps tempt you into searching for more

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Discovering Semur-en-Auxois

Along the Armançon River
Semur-en-Auxios is a charming town to explore. We found it so peaceful just heading a couple of lanes away from the main square, if only the sun were shining.
This slightly low-angle shot captures a picturesque view of Semur-en-Auxois, France, with its cluster of historic buildings nestled on a hillside under a cloudy sky. In the foreground, terracotta-tiled roofs of lower buildings and lush greenery lead the eye up to the town's skyline, punctuated by the spires of the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame and the cylindrical Tour de l'Orle d'Or. The varying architectural styles and the way the town cascades down the slope create a charming and timeless scene.
Rue du Saussis
We strolled down towards the Armançon River, winding our way through the tranquil lanes to the babbling river below. There are many quaint family homes along the riverside and evidence of industrial times gone by. You can see where the tanneries were once established along the riverside.
A serene waterside view showcases a row of charming houses in Semur-en-Auxois, France, nestled along a gently flowing river. The houses feature terracotta-tiled roofs and a mix of light-colored facades, with one partially covered in lush green ivy. Verdant foliage lines the riverbanks and the hillside rising behind the houses, creating a peaceful and picturesque scene under a soft, overcast sky.
Old tanneries
Whilst meandering along the Armançon Riverside, you gain an amazing view back up towards Semur-en-Auxios old town. From this viewpoint, you can clearly see the towers from the original 15th century fortification.
A wide, slightly low-angle shot captures a road leading into the medieval town of Semur-en-Auxois, France, showcasing its impressive stone fortifications and historic buildings. Two prominent cylindrical towers with conical roofs stand guard over the town, which is nestled on a rocky outcrop overlooking the surrounding landscape. Lush greenery and colorful flowers line the sides of the road, adding a touch of vibrancy to the ancient architecture under a cloudy sky.
View from Pont Joly
Whether you approach Semur-en-Auxios by crossing the Pont Joly, the historic road bridge or Pont Pinard, the attractive footbridge, you’ll see the huge circular pepper-pot towers standing so prominent within the town’s skyline.
A picturesque view captures a stone arched bridge in Semur-en-Auxois, France, spanning a calm waterway. Historic buildings with terracotta roofs and varying facades line the waterway beyond the bridge, nestled against a backdrop of lush green trees and a stone wall along the upper edge. The scene exudes a tranquil and timeless charm under a soft, overcast sky.
Across the Pont des Minimes
The four towers that remain and once formed part of this fortified town are la Tour de l’Orle d’Or, la Tour de la Gehenne, la Tour de la Prison and la Tour Margot. La Tour de l’Orle d’Or stands at 44 metres tall and 5 metres thick.
A scenic view captures the medieval town of Semur-en-Auxois, France, nestled along a tranquil river spanned by an arched stone bridge. The town's ancient stone buildings, including prominent cylindrical towers with conical roofs, rise along the hillside, their reflections visible in the calm water below. Lush greenery lines the riverbanks and weaves through the architecture, creating a picturesque blend of nature and history under an overcast sky.
Pont Pinard in Semur-en-Auxois
This street-level shot captures a charming, narrow cobblestone street in Semur-en-Auxois, France, lined with historic buildings. On the left, a weathered stone building features faded red lettering that reads "BOULANGERIE" above its storefront with dark windows and grey shutters. The street curves gently, revealing a warmly lit outdoor seating area of a restaurant further down, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere under a dusky sky.
Le Saint Vernier restaurant
Semur-en-Auxois is a beautiful town to visit, and we’d have loved to stay longer. However, we found an excellent restaurant offering regional Burgundian cuisine for our only evening. We opened the door of Le Saint Vernier restaurant, and the atmosphere was casual and buzzing; we instantly wanted to stay. We were offered their last small table and jumped at the chance; the food was delicious, especially the Oeufs en meurette.

Crit'Air vignette required for driving in France

If you’re heading to France from the UK with your own vehicle, you’ll need a Crit’Air ‘clean air’ car sticker.

Just like our low-emission zones in the UK, France now legally requires the display of a Crit’Air vignette. The good news is, these stickers are readily available and affordable online through the official French government website.

The Crit’Air sticker lasts the lifetime of the vehicle, so it’s a one-off purchase. The RAC website offers an in-depth guide to everything you need to know and your requirements.

* This post may contain links to affiliated sites where we earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.

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