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Autun
Also known as Bibracte, Augustodunum
Autun () is a subprefecture of the Saône-et-Loire department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of central-eastern France. It was founded during the Principate era of the early Roman Empire by Emperor Augustus as Augustodunum to give a Roman capital to the Gallic people Aedui, who had Bibracte as their political centre. In Roman times the city may have been home to 30,000 to 100,000 people, according to different estimates. Nowadays, the commune has a population of about 13,000.
AI overview
Autun is a small city in central-eastern France that was founded by the Roman Emperor Augustus in the early Roman Empire as a capital for the local Gallic people. Once a major Roman city with a population estimated between 30,000 and 100,000 people, it is today a modest town of about 13,000 residents.
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Place details
- Locality
- Autun
- Region
- Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
- Country
- France
- Population
- 18,283
Travel guide
Understand
right|thumb|View of the city Steeped in Roman history, complete with a spectacular Romanesque spire standing proud against the Morvan hills, Autun, formerly Augustodunum, was a garrison town during the Roman Empire.
Although the lower parts of this city are fairly modern with bowling alleys, McDonald's and lots of students milling around, stroll further into the heart of the centre and you find yourself wandering through numerous winding streets lined with fantastic architecture, quaint shops, cafes and restaurants before reaching the rather impressive cathedral.
It’s small enough to access everything on foot, but large enough to hold your interest for quite some time. It also has a beautiful French atmosphere that is just waiting for you to soak up!
Get in
thumb|Cathédrale Saint-Lazare d'Autun Autun is accessible by bus or car, via secondary roads.
You can fly to Lyon, about 2 hours away by car.
Get around
It's best to walk through the walled city centre.
See
thumb|Porte Saint-André, an ancient Roman gate The very well-preserved Roman walls which still surround most of the city.
Do
The countryside in this area is truly breathtaking, from the Parc Regional du Morvan with its forest-clad hills and cascading streams to authentic French villages where you can sit by the river with a freshly-made croissant and simply soak up the atmosphere.
Buy
thumb|Tour des Ursulines There are numerous shops to peruse in Autun, but most alluring are the chocolate shops and patisseries.
Sleep
Try something other than a hotel: there are a few maison d'hotes/chambres d'hotes (bed and breakfasts) in or near the town.
Travel guide from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0)
~12 min read
Article
15 sectionsContents
- History
- Early history
- Modern times
- Geography
- Climate
- Population
- Sights
- Other notable connections
- Sport
- Tourism
- Sister cities
- See also
- References
- Further reading
- External links
Autun () is a subprefecture of the Saône-et-Loire department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of central-eastern France. It was founded during the Principate era of the early Roman Empire by Emperor Augustus as Augustodunum to give a Roman capital to the Gallic people Aedui, who had Bibracte as their political centre. In Roman times the city may have been home to 30,000 to 100,000 people, according to different estimates. Nowadays, the commune has a population of about 13,000.
Pioneer of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century with the early exploitation of oil shale and fluorine, since the 20th century, Autun has experienced a renewed dynamism which has made it the headquarters of several international companies (Dim, Nexans). It contains one of the six French military high schools (Lycée militaire d'Autun). The city, due to its ancient and medieval past, possesses a rich heritage which makes it one of the most important tourist sites in the heart of Burgundy, just southeast of the Morvan.
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