Autun Cathedral, Roman Catholic cathedral in Autun, France
Autun Cathedral is a Romanesque church with thick stone walls, pointed arches, and a cross-shaped interior divided into a central nave and two side aisles. Numerous columns support the structure, and the whole building reflects the construction style typical of the 1100s.
Construction started in 1120 to serve pilgrims traveling to Santiago de Compostela, who needed a major stopping point on their long journey. It replaced an earlier cathedral and became a significant pilgrimage destination in its own right.
The cathedral takes its name from Saint Lazarus, the biblical beggar who held special meaning for medieval pilgrims seeking spiritual healing. Stone carvings on the entrance portal served as visual lessons for visitors who could not read.
The building sits in the town center and is easy to reach on foot while exploring the old streets. Visitors can enter daily, though access may be limited during religious services since the church remains an active place of worship.
The sculptor Gislebertus signed his masterpiece with the words 'Gislebertus hoc fecit' directly carved into the stone. This personal signature on a medieval artwork was unusual for its time and reveals the craftsman's pride in his creation.
Location: Autun
Inception: 1120
Architectural style: Romanesque architecture
Website: https://cathedrale.autun-art-et-histoire.fr
GPS coordinates: 46.94500,4.29917
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:01
Saône-et-Loire holds stories from all parts of French history. You can find caves where prehistoric people lived, like the Azé cave with its stalactites or the rocks of Solutré that overlook the vineyards. The area also has Celtic remains at Bibracte, a fortified city on the heights of Mount Beuvray. The Romanesque monasteries show the time when Cluny was the spiritual heart of medieval Europe, and its basilica served as a model for the one in Paray-le-Monial. Medieval castles like Brancion or Berzé-le-Châtel still stand on their hills, with towers and walls keeping watch over the valleys. The villages still have their solid stone Romanesque churches, castles, and squares where life goes on quietly. In Tournus, you can visit the Saint-Philibert Abbey from the tenth century and find paintings by an eighteenth-century painter at the Greuze museum. Some places are surprising, like the Blanot caves that go deep under the ground. This mix of sights lets you walk through many centuries of history while exploring the Burgundy countryside.
Augustodunum
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Musée Rolin
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Prison circulaire d'Autun
115 m
Abbey Saint-Andoche d'Autun
570 m
Tour des Ursulines
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Passage Balthus
437 m
Abbaye Saint-Jean-le-Grand d'Autun
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Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption d'Autun
460 m
Château du Petit Montjeu
759 m
Fontaine Saint-Lazare
46 m
War memorial of Autun
526 m
Couvent de la Visitation d'Autun
239 m
Théâtre d'Autun
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Hôtel du Chancelier Rolin
75 m
Hôtel de Ganay
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Groupe cathédral et canonial d'Autun
48 m
Hôtel de Millery
59 m
Hôtel Arbelet
637 m
Pseudo-temple d'Apollon
678 m
Maison du Tripot (Autun)
51 m
Hôtel de Chevannes
375 m
Gallo-Roman ramparts of Autun
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Chapel of St Albinus, Autun
72 m
Chapelle des Visitandines d'Autun
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Le Lutrin
36 m
Maison Saint-Christophe (Autun)
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Hôtel d'Orsenne
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Hôtel d'Éguilly
97 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
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