Things to do in Auxerre

No. 9 of Night Attractions in France

Champ de Mars

Champ de Mars is an open, elongated public green space in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, bordering the Eiffel Tower at its northwest end and the École Militaire at its southeast end. Covering over 20 hectares, it is one of the major public green spaces in Paris. Originally an open field used for military training and parades, it gradually transformed into a public green space and has hosted numerous large-scale gatherings, exhibitions, and celebrations throughout the history of France. It features expansive lawns, straight walking paths, rows of trees, and open views. Its overall layout is orderly, reflecting the emphasis on axes and spatial order in Paris urban planning.

No. 12 of Best Things to Do in France

Ile de la Cite

Ile de la Cite is a natural island in the Seine River in Paris, and along with the adjacent Ile Saint-Louis to the east, it is one of only two natural islands in the Seine. This island is considered the birthplace of Paris—Gallic tribes settled here as early as the pre-Christian era, walls were built on the island during the Roman era, and King Clovis I of the Franks established a royal palace here in the early 6th century. For centuries thereafter, it remained the religious and political center of Paris. Today, strolling through the cobblestone streets of the island, you can still feel the layers of history. The island is home to several iconic medieval buildings. Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris is located at the eastern end of the island and is a representative example of French Gothic architecture, famous for its facade carvings and rose windows. Sainte-Chapelle is renowned for its towering stained-glass windows, which fill the hall with colorful light when the sun shines through. La Conciergerie was originally part of the royal palace and was converted into a prison during the French Revolution; today, it preserves its spectacular Gothic vaulted halls for visitors to explore. Between the cathedral and the prison, there is an open-air flower market that has continued since the early 19th century, with iron-framed stalls filled with colorful flowers all year round. The entire island can be explored on foot, making it perfect for combining with a stroll along the banks of the Seine.

Patinoire CyberGlace

Camping Night&Day Les Ceriselles

Le Silex Scène de Musiques Actuelles

Karting & Quad Auxerre

2026 Global 50 - Spring Outings

Tuileries Garden

The Tuileries Garden borders the Louvre to the east, Place de la Concorde to the west, and the Seine to the south. It was originally commissioned by Queen Catherine de' Medici and later redesigned by the court garden master Le Nôtre as a formal French garden. A tree-lined avenue runs east-west through the center of the garden, flanked by symmetrically arranged, neatly trimmed flowerbeds and chestnut tree-lined walks. It is an important link in Paris's historic axis, which starts from the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel beside the Louvre, passes through the garden, and extends westward. Since the eighteenth century, various sculptures and vases have been installed in the garden, numbering over a hundred to date, and it is known as an "open-air museum." The sculpture subjects cover ancient Roman historical figures and Greek mythology; many are by celebrated masters, and some are replicas of works in the Louvre's collection. Beside the octagonal pond at the western end of the garden stands a group of sculptures themed on allegories and ancient Roman historical figures, with a fountain in the center of the pond where wild ducks often play on the water. The chairs placed by the pond can be moved freely, allowing visitors to sit and rest at ease and experience the Parisian way of relaxing in parks that has been passed down for hundreds of years. The garden is also home to two buildings, the Musée de l'Orangerie and the Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume, featuring Monet's Water Lilies and contemporary video art, respectively. The entire garden is ideal for strolling and viewing; walking along the tree-lined avenues or sitting for a while by the ponds are both classic ways to experience Parisian city life.

Espace Culturel Le Skenet'Eau

Gurgy

No. 4 of Fall Viewing Attractions in France

Fontainebleau Palace

Fontainebleau Palace is hailed as "an epitome of French history" and has been inscribed on the World Heritage List. Originally a royal hunting lodge, it was expanded into an important palace of the French Renaissance, and later many architects and artists participated in its renovation, leaving imprints of various periods' styles. Location Fontainebleau Palace is located in a small town about 55 km southeast of Paris, one of Parisians' favorite weekend getaway destinations, and Fontainebleau Palace sits here, surrounded by forest. The Fontainebleau Forest around the palace was originally a royal hunting ground, and now has become an outdoor sports base eagerly visited by bouldering enthusiasts, with the annual bouldering season in October attracting many climbing enthusiasts from around the world. Visiting route and highlights The main structures of Fontainebleau Palace include a main tower, the palace, courtyards, and gardens. The main attractions inside the palace include the ballroom, the conference hall, the chapel, the throne room, the Gallery of Diana, the Gallery of Francis I, the queen's bedroom, the Napoleon salon,Papal apartmentetc. Napoleon loved yellow, and his wife Josephine favored rose, so the overall color scheme of the palace interior was dominated by yellow and rose red. The palace also houses four museums, respectivelyThe Chinese Museum, the Napoleon I Museum, the gallery, and the furniture museum. Among them, the Chinese Museum houses a large collection of precious artifacts from the Old Summer Palace, displaying over a thousand art treasures including ancient paintings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, gold and jade jewelry, and carvings, though it is sometimes closed to visitors.In Western museums, the Fontainebleau Palace is where collections and exhibitions are housedOld Summer PalaceSo many treasures. #White Horse Courtyard#The White Horse Courtyard is the main entrance of Fontainebleau. The horseshoe-shaped staircase here is a sight of Fontainebleau Palace; it was here that Napoleon delivered his speech upon his abdication.#China pavilion#Entering the building from the right side of the courtyard brings you to the ticket office; after buying tickets, don't forget to pick up an audio guide. Then follow this long gallery straight ahead to begin your visit to Fontainebleau Palace. Near the end there are stairs—don't rush upstairs yet; continue straight ahead and you'll reachChina pavilion. If you cannot findChina pavilionlocation, you can consult the staff.China pavilionThe doors are generally closed, and you need to close them after entering. A prominent position in the hall displays a gold pagoda approx. 2 m tall, with emeralds inlaid on every tier throughout, which, together with the one extant inInside the Forbidden City in Beijinggolden pagodas are basically similar. There are also two precious gilded chime bells and various otherOld Summer Palacetreasures. Currently, the Chinese Museum has been closed for a long time due to construction. On March 1, 2015, 15 exhibits were stolen from Fontainebleau Palace, among which wasOld Summer PalaceOld collection cloisonné qilin and golden mandala.#Other treasures#FromChina pavilionGo out and head upstairs to continue enjoying many rooms such as the Napoleon I rooms and the Throne Room (Napoleon's throne is quite mini). You can also see the Gallery of Francis I, whose lower half features wainscoting of golden-yellow fine wood carvings about 2 m high, while the upper half is set off by bright faux-marble figure reliefs against multiple exquisite Renaissance-style frescoes, making the entire gallery both splendid and elegant. After visiting the main exhibition halls, go down to the first floor where the exit is; there is a souvenir shop here, and outside you can stroll through the courtyard and gardens. In fact, walking a short distance from the exit can also take you back toChina pavilion, but here there are only hints for entering the courtyard. When visiting the courtyard, beyond the indoor views, the courtyards of Fontainebleau Palace are also distinctive, with a uniquely decorative style combining wood paneling, plaster reliefs, and murals. The Diana Garden is dotted with flower beds and sculptures, along with small, exquisite fountains, and orange trees grow throughout the garden, making it a pleasant place to stroll. You can also wander freely through the large park and green woods. There is a tea room inside Fontainebleau Palace where you can dine, and the town also has many restaurants with moderate prices.