Chateauneuf-en-Auxois

Visit Chateauneuf-en-Auxois, Burgundy

Chateauneuf-en-Auxois is 30 kilometres south-west of Dijon in the Cote d'Or department of Burgundy, and is listed as one of the 'most beautiful villages of France'.

Often simply called Chateauneuf, the village was once an important stopping point on the pilgrimage route through the region. It is best known for the castle in the town - the Chateau de Chateauneuf-en-Auxois - which once played an important defensive role for the road leading to Autun.

Exploring Chateauneuf-en-Auxois

Chateauneuf-en-Auxois is an attractive hilltop village, with the chateau at one end of the low rocky spur on which the village stands, and dominating the rest of the village.

The original castle here dates from 1132 when the medieval fortress was built. In the 14th century during the Hundred Years War the substantial towers and defensive walls were added, and then the castle was again substantially modified and the living accommodation added in the 15th century, to make it a more pleasant place to live.

This makes a visit to the castle at Chateauneuf-en-Auxois very interesting, with significant parts of the castle from each period clearly visible. The large square keep tower is the oldest part of the castle and the carefully furnished living accommodation the most recent.

The surrounding village also developed around the castle during the 12th - 15th centuries and many of the houses to be seen date from that time. The village contains many fine merchant houses from that period, built in the local yellow-white stone and having several interesting features and decorated facades to discover as you walk around.

The church, built later than the castle, is also worthy of a visit - it was in the 15th century when the castle abandoned its defensive role and became a residence that the church was built.

Some of the bars in Chateauneuf have terraces with great views - take time to relax during your visit!

Tourist classifications for Chateauneuf-en-Auxois: One of the most beautiful village in France (plus beau villages); Chateauneuf-en-Auxois falls within the Pays d'art et d'histoire de l'Auxois region

Suggested places to visit near Chateauneuf-en-Auxois, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Dijon 33km; Flavigny 34km; Semur-en-Auxois 38km; Autun 39km; Bussy-Rabutin Chateau 39km; Fontenay Abbey 50km; Montbard 51km; Chalon-sur-Saone 51km; Montreal 58km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Chateauneuf-en-Auxois

Chateauneuf-en-Auxois tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Abbaye de la Bussière - remarkable garden (6km) : Parc et jardin du château de Barbirey sur Ouche - remarkable garden (10km) : Hospices de Beaune (Beaune) - religious monument (26km) : Parc et jardins du château de Sully - remarkable garden (26km) : Basilique de Saint Andoche (Saulieu) - religious monument (32km) : Jardin de la Chaux - remarkable garden (35km) : Quetigny - ville fleurie 4* (37km) : Parc de Saint-Léger - remarkable garden (38km) :

French version: see Chateauneuf-en-Auxois (Francais)