Tonnerre
Tonnerre is a town in Burgundy to the east of Auxerre.
A pleasant town, there are a couple of main highlights that are well worth seeing, although I got the impression that Tonnerre does not do as much as it could to highlight the places of interest. Parking was difficult, parts of the town are less well maintained, and the Tonnerre Tourist Office chooses to not put leaflets out on display for browsing - rather you have to go to the counter and request the one you want.
Notwithstanding these challenges a visit is recommended!
Hotel Dieu
The medieval hospital complex (Hotel-Dieu) was constructed at the end of the 13th century and at that time one of the largest in France. Indeed the main building is very substantial by any terms!
The impressive interior of the complex includes a museum and has been furnished as a typical hospital interior of the epoch with period recreations. Outside there is a small park area running the length of the complex.
There is also a grand 19th century addition adjacent to the main building.
The Tonnerre Tourist Office is in the entrance to the Hotel-Dieu.
Fosse Dionne
The Fosse Dionne is a natural water source producing 200 litres of water per second. It was developed as a circular lavoir in the first half of the 18th century and has a deep pool of a green-blue colour you would expect to find in a Yellowstone pool!
Small yet perfectly formed, it is a little hidden away but a visit is obligatory while in Tonnerre. It is a very beautiful structure and really quite unmissable - ironically its beauty is perhaps increased by the less than lovely side streets that approach it.
Above the Fosse Dionne there is a track that runs up the hill to the church that stands above, and from where there are views across the town and surrounding countryside. The track follows part of a path that dates back 2000 years when the Romans had a settlement on the rock above the fosse, and used it as a water source.
Other
- The town is also associated with the Chevalier d'Eon, a curious character who acted as spy for the King Louis XV, soldier, and teacher to the Russian nobility, and was a colourful personage who passed much of his life mixing in noble circles and passing himself off as a lady. His birthplace and his later home in Tonnerre can both be seen.
- Tonnerre is on the river and there are attractive views of the houses along the riverside.
- Markets are held in Tonnerre on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings - the latter in the main market hall on Rue Francois Mitterrand.
See also pictures of Tonnerre
Visit Tonnerre (Burgundy, Yonne) travel, gites and hotels
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Places to visit near Tonnerre, France
Explore places of interest within about 70 kilometres on a map at places near Tonnerre.
Some places to visit within 30 km: 
23 km: Ancy-le-Franc castle (castle) 20 km: Chablis (Burgundy town) 18 km: Noyers-sur-Serein (Most beautiful village) 13 km: Tanlay castle (castle)
See also Tonnerre (version Francais)
