top of page

Beautiful French Town

The towns and villages of France

32
Page 3

Just a few kilometers south of Aubenas, nature has sculpted a monument whose renown extends far beyond its borders: the Pont d’Arc.

This monumental natural arch, over 50 meters high, spans the Ardèche River. It marks the prestigious entrance to the Ardèche Gorges.

A Geological Miracle: Unlike man-made bridges, this one was carved by the force of water through the limestone over millennia.

Activities: Whether you choose to paddle beneath it in a canoe or kayak to experience the sheer verticality of the walls, or simply relax on its sandy beaches, the experience is breathtaking. It is also the site of the famous Chauvet 2 Cave, home to some of the oldest known cave paintings in the world.

Aubenas

Strolling through Old Aubenas

To truly experience the soul of Auch, you must leave the main thoroughfares and venture on foot into the maze of its steep alleyways, where the heart of the feudal city once beat.

The mysterious Pousterles: A word typical of Auch, pousterles are narrow, steep medieval alleyways, often interrupted by stone steps. Numbering five (like the Pousterle de las Oulmetos), they were once used to carry water from the river and to defend the upper town. The corbelled facades almost meet above the heads of passersby.

Half-timbered houses: Strolling around Place Salinis or Rue d'Espagne, admire the magnificent timber-framed facades and mullioned windows from the 15th and 16th centuries, impeccably restored, which now house charming designer boutiques and galleries.

Place de la Libération: A vast esplanade lined with classical buildings, including the 18th-century Town Hall with its hidden Italian-style theater, it's the perfect place to enjoy a coffee on a terrace under the cool arcades.

Auch

Saint Mary's Cathedral, a stone giant at the crossroads of the arts

Every year, during the second half of August, Aurillac undergoes a complete and unique transformation in Europe, becoming the focal point of contemporary open-air artistic creation.

The International Street Theatre Festival: Since its creation in 1986, this monumental event has transformed the city into a vast, ephemeral theatre. Squares, schoolyards, parking lots, and sidewalks are taken over by hundreds of artistic companies from all corners of the world.

Unparalleled popular enthusiasm: For four days, nearly 100,000 festival-goers throng the streets in an atmosphere of absolute celebration, festive and poetic. Circus performances, lively brass bands, pyrotechnic displays, and socially engaged theatre punctuate the days and nights.

The art of inhabiting the street: The festival has forged the modern identity of Aurillac, demonstrating the ability of this mountain town to open itself to the cultural avant-garde while retaining its innate sense of hospitality and conviviality.

Aurillac

Saint-Étienne Castle and the Volcano Museum

Long before Van Gogh's arrival, Auvers-sur-Oise was already attracting the forerunners of Impressionism thanks to its light and its proximity to Paris via the railway.

The House-Studio of Charles-François Daubigny: The first painter to settle in Auvers in 1860, Daubigny is the true pioneer of the village. His house, a listed historical monument, is a visual masterpiece: the interior walls were entirely painted by Daubigny himself, his children, and his illustrious friends such as Camille Corot and Honoré Daumier.

The House of Dr. Gachet: A physician, amateur engraver, and friend of artists, Dr. Paul Gachet welcomed and treated Van Gogh, Cézanne, and Pissarro. His house, perched on the rock, retains the atmosphere of a cabinet of curiosities, and his medicinal herb garden, which appears in several famous paintings, offers a shaded respite suspended in time.

The Daubigny Museum: Housed in the Colombières manor, this municipal museum pays tribute to the landscape and graphic art of the second half of the 19th century. It offers rich collections of paintings, drawings, and engravings that allow visitors to understand the artistic evolution of the Oise Valley.

Auvers-sur-Oise

Following in the footsteps of Vincent van Gogh, the ultimate frenzy

The upper town is not just a museum; it's a vibrant city that celebrates the pleasures of fine food.

The Saturday Market: Under the market halls and in the squares, producers from the Morvan region offer honey, goat cheese, and artisanal charcuterie.

The City Museums: The Musée de l'Avallonnais, housed in the former college, contains collections ranging from archaeology to contemporary art.

The Costume Museum: Located in a beautiful private mansion, the Costume Museum offers a unique opportunity to discover the elegance of centuries past.

Avallon

The Ramparts and the Towers: A Walk Through History

To gain a higher perspective, you must climb towards the ruins of the feudal castle of the Viscounts of Aubusson, which locals simply call "The Chapter House."

The Clock Tower: The only remaining imposing vestige of the old fortress, this tower overlooks the valley.

The Belvedere: From up here, you can appreciate the unique layout of the town, nestled in a tight bend of the valley, surrounded by verdant forests that serve as its natural setting.

Aubusson

The International City of Tapestry: The Beating Heart

Located just a few kilometers from the city center, the Sanctuary of Sainte-Anne-d'Auray is the premier pilgrimage site (the Grand Pardon) in Brittany, attracting a cosmopolitan crowd every summer.

The Monumental Basilica: Erected at the end of the 19th century in a style blending Renaissance and Gothic, it impresses with its size and its tall bell tower surmounted by a monumental statue of Saint Anne. The interior is richly decorated with stained-glass windows depicting the history of Brittany and the apparitions to Yvon Nicolazic in the 17th century.

The 17th-Century Cloister: Built from local granite by the Carmelite friars, this two-story cloister surrounds a peaceful garden. Its perfectly geometric galleries invite silence and contemplation.

The Great War Memorial: This monumental stone building rises in the heart of a wooded park, paying a poignant tribute to the tens of thousands of Breton soldiers who fell during the First World War, complementing the historical and sacred dimension of the site.

Auray

The port of Saint-Goustan, a film set suspended in time

As you climb towards the upper town, the atmosphere changes. Narrow, cobbled streets lead to a treasure trove of Romanesque art.

Saint-Lazare Cathedral: This 12th-century masterpiece is world-renowned for its tympanum of the Last Judgment, sculpted by the master Gislebertus. The exquisite detail and expressive faces make it one of the pinnacles of medieval sculpture.

The Upper Town: Enclosed by protective ramparts, this district of ancient houses exudes tranquility and spirituality, inviting you to a timeless stroll.

Autun

The Prestige of Burgundian Rome

You can't leave Auxerre without experiencing its cuisine and vineyards, which are among the most prestigious in France.

The Auxerre Vineyards: Just a few kilometers away, the vineyards of Irancy (red) and Saint-Bris (white) offer characterful tastings in ancient vaulted cellars.

Gougère: A quintessential local specialty, this small cheese puff is the perfect accompaniment to a Burgundian aperitif.

The Markets: Under the covered market halls or outdoors, local producers showcase Burgundy truffles, snails, and the region's fragrant honeys.

Auxerre

Saint-Étienne Cathedral: A Pinnacle of Gothic Architecture

Avignon's charm also lies in its winding alleyways and lively squares.

Clock Square: The beating heart of the city, lined with café terraces, the City Hall, and the Opera House, it's the perfect place to watch the street life unfold.

Dyers' Street: Nicknamed "the street of wheels," it runs alongside the Sorgue Canal with its old waterwheels and picturesque cobblestones.

Private Mansions: From the Renaissance to the 18th century, the city abounds with stately facades and secret courtyards hidden behind heavy carriage gates.

Avignon

The Palace of the Popes: God's Fortress

32
Page 3

bottom of page