The best MTB trails around Villeneuve-Saint-Salves

A simply stunning view of Auxerre and its magnificent cathedral, as well as the Vonne River with its many boats, and Auxerre with everything your heart desires. Plenty of places to rest and, of course, all sorts of restaurants.

A magnificent view of Auxerre (especially the cathedral) on the Yonne river. Auxerre is the capital of the Yonne department, and there you will find many cafes, restaurants, shops and beautiful places along the river.

At the statue of the namesake Paul Bert you will find a small balcony from which you can enjoy the view of the old town in peace.

The cathedral is open for tours during the day and this is not to be missed! It is a major work of French Gothic architecture and impresses with its high, light-flooded vaults and colorful windows. "The cathedral is located in the center of the old town on a hill above the Yonne. Saint-Étienne was begun in 1215. Today's Gothic cathedral is the fifth building on this site. In 1567 the Huguenots sacked the city and the cathedral, which necessitated repairs, particularly to the choir glazing. The French Revolution caused countless damage to the building and its furnishings. The goldsmith's work was melted down, the church was transformed into a temple of reason, and the important statue of the suffering Stephen on the high altar only escaped destruction because it was turned into a suffering Marat in the bath. In 1840 Prosper Mérimée placed the cathedral under monument protection. Extensive restoration work took place throughout the 19th century." Much more about the history here: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathedrale_von_Auxerre

There is a good view of the riverside city from here and from the other bridges.

The statue of Paul Bert stands on a small balcony by the bridge. From there, the old town of Auxerre can be viewed wonderfully with the wide expanse of water of the Yonne.

Saint Stephen (Saint Etienne), to whom Auxerre Cathedral is dedicated, is one of the seven first deacons of the early Jerusalem community and is also the first martyr (martyr) of early Christianity. The church remembers him on Boxing Day, December 26th. When Stephen uttered his vision of the open heaven, "And being filled with the Holy Spirit, he looked up into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God" (Acts chapter 7 verse 55), the people were so indignant that that they drove him out of the city and stoned him.

You can see the Saint-Etienne Cathedral from afar. It shapes the cityscape of Auxerre and can be photographed very well from the bridges over the L'Yonne. The interior of the church can be visited free of charge; the impressions of the pictures, sculptures, chancel, glass ornaments and the vault exhibited there are impressive.