Autun can be explored through two notable periods: Roman antiquity and the Romanesque Middle Ages. Saint-Lazare Cathedral brings together architectural history and pilgrimage tradition; the Roman Theatre gives a sense of the scale of the ancient city. A short film, a sightseeing train ride and guided walks each offer a different focus. You can therefore plan your stay around the subjects you would like to explore in more depth, rather than treating all the attractions as equivalent stops.

Romanesque Heritage and Pilgrimage History

Construction of Saint-Lazare Cathedral began in 1120. An important Romanesque building in Autun, it is also a pilgrimage church on the Way of St James and houses relics of Lazarus. Its architectural history and religious significance together shape the character of the site. The cathedral treasury is another subject you can explore here; it consists of four rooms. If you are interested in Romanesque art, Saint-Lazare offers a clear cultural focus. The pilgrimage tradition also provides another perspective on the cathedral, beyond its architecture.

Roman Scale and Different Perspectives

The Roman Theatre of Autun was built around 70 AD. It has a diameter of 148 metres and could accommodate up to 20,000 spectators. These two figures show different aspects of the building: the diameter describes its physical size, while the capacity indicates the scale of its former use. The theatre was built more than a thousand years before construction of the cathedral began in 1120. This comparison in time shows the distance between Autun’s Roman past and its Romanesque heritage.

For a focused look at one detail of the cathedral, the Espace Gislebertus presents a 15-minute 3D relief film explaining the Great Portal of Saint-Lazare. The Petit Train offers a different perspective: its multilingual narrated tour travels through Autun and explores 2,000 years of history and its major monuments. Unlike the film, the focus here is not a single portal but a broader view of the city’s history. The Petit Train’s operating dates may vary; check the current schedule if you are planning to take the tour.

Guided Explorations and Weekly Market

If you would also like to explore the Roman water system alongside the monuments, you can join the guided tour “Balade entre pierres et eaux”. It runs from the Poterne de Breuil to the foot of the Pierre de Couhard and explains how the Romans shaped the mountain to supply the city with water. The tour also offers views of ancient and medieval Autun—from the cathedral to the Pierre de Couhard. In this way, it connects a technical aspect of Roman urban planning with perspectives on different historical periods. The tour takes place regularly, but specific dates may vary; check the date before making plans.

The Explor-Games route offers another way to engage with the cultural heritage: it is designed for families, especially teenagers. For families with teenagers, it can be a way to explore the city’s history differently than through a film or a guided explanation. Activity details can change, so check the latest information before your visit.

You can also take the weekly market into account when planning your visit. The Marchés d’Autun are held on Fridays both outdoors and in the covered market halls beneath the town hall. If you would like to include the market in your visit, plan for a Friday and check the latest market details and opening hours in advance.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Marcelin-de-Cray, Romenay, Saint-Firmin, Sancé, Charbonnat, Le Breuil, Crêches-Sur-Saône, Sologny.

For the broader travel overview: Saône-Et-Loire.