Pioneer of theIndustrial 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 ofBurgundy, just southeast of theMorvan.[5]
Augustodunum was founded during the reign of the firstRoman emperor,Augustus, after whom it was named. It was thecivitas "tribal capital" of the Aedui, ContinentalCelts who had been allies and "brothers" (fratres) of Rome since beforeJulius Caesar'sGallic Wars. Augustodunum was a planned foundation replacing the originaloppidumBibracte, located some 25 km (16 mi) away. Several elements of Roman architecture such as walls, gates, and a Roman theatre are still visible in the city.
In AD 356, a force ofAlemanni brought thesiege of Autun. The disrepair of the walls left the city in danger of falling. Autun was saved by the arrival of theEmperor Julian in one of his early military successes. InLate antiquity, Autun became known for its schools ofrhetoric. A world map based on theGeography ofPtolemy, famous for its size, was displayed in theportico of one of the schools. It may have survived until early modern times.[6]
Thelycée (high school), Lycée Bonaparte, has played an important role in the history of the city sinceNapoleon gave it its current name, and his brothersJoseph andLucien studied there. This school continues to operate today. The decoratedwrought iron gates were erected in 1772; the subjects taught in the school are indicated by various representations of objects along the top of these grids.
French and American servicemen in front of Autun City Hall on 13 September 1944, three days after the city was liberated from German occupation. Adjutant Émile Lancery(left), of the French troops of GeneralPatch's 7th Army, who came fromToulon, shakes hands with Louis Basil, a sergeant inPatton's 3rd Army, who arrived from theCotentin. A French flag with aCross of Lorraine is visible in the background.
During theFranco-Prussian War of 1870, the leader of theArmy of the Vosges,Giuseppe Garibaldi,[11] chose the city as his headquarters. The fight to liberate Autun from the German occupation at the end ofWorld War II, on 8–9 September 1944, was particularly bloody for theFrench Resistance, with about 80 of its members killed.[12] In the months prior, the Germans had destroyed a number of villages in the area, particularly in theMorvan, home to a large Resistance movement. The Germans surrendered unconditionally on 10 September 1944,[13] before the Americans reached Autun on 13 September.[14]
The city rests on the southern edge of a depression called the Permian Autun Basin which includes the Autunian stratotype forming the Autunois. It is surrounded to the north bybocage meadows (bocage with wide mesh), to the west by theMorvan massif, and to the south by deciduous forests (domanial forest of Planoise) covering a sandstone plateau.
The commune lies in the northwest of the department.
For the period 1971–2000, the average annual temperature was 10.5 °C, with an annual temperature range of 16.6 °C. The average annual cumulative precipitation was 1,061 mm, with 12.1 days of precipitation in January and 7.6 days in July.[15] For the period 1991–2020, the average annual temperature observed at the meteorological station installed in the municipality was 10.7 °C and the average annual cumulative precipitation was 857.2 mm. The maximum temperature recorded at this station was 40 °C, reached on August 12, 2003; the minimum temperature was −18.3 °C, reached on 20 December 2009.[16]
Autun remparts (defensive walls from the Roman era)Tour des Ursulines near Autun Cathedral
The city boasts two ancientRoman gates (Porte Saint-André and Porte d'Arroux) and other ruins dating to the time of Augustus. One of the most impressive remains is that of the ancient theatre, which was one of the largest in the western part of the empire with a 17,000-seat capacity. To the northwest of the city is the so-called Temple of Janus, only two walls (faces) of which remain. To the southeast is the mysterious Pierre de Couhard, a rock pyramid of uncertain function which may date to Roman times.
Couhard Pyramid
Autun Cathedral, also known asSaint Lazare Cathedral, dates from the early twelfth century and is a major example ofRomanesque architecture. It was formerly the chapel of the Dukes of Burgundy; their palace was the actual episcopal residence. The cathedral was originally built as apilgrimage church for theveneration of therelic Saint Lazarus, mentioned in the Gospels, and considered the first bishop of Marseille, and who, always according to tradition, arrived in Provence with Mary Magdalen.
Saint-André GateArroux Gate
Autun's 12th-century bishop, Étienne de Bâgé, probably built the church in response to theconstruction of Ste. Madeleine at nearbyVézelay, home to the Frenchcult ofMary Magdalene. St Lazare was only later elevated to the rank of cathedral, replacing the former cathedral dedicated toSt Nazaire.[19]
The Autun Cathedral is famous for its architectural sculpture, particularly thetympanum ofThe Last Judgment above the westportal, surviving fragments from the lost portal of the northtransept, and thecapitals in thenave andchoir. All of these are traditionally considered the work ofGislebertus, whose name is on the west tympanum. It is uncertain whether Gislebertus is the name of the sculptor or of apatron. If Gislebertus is in fact the artist, he is one of very few medieval artists whose name is known.
In the late 9th century,Charles Martel's daughter (name listed as Auda, Alane, or Aldana) marriedThierry IV (also called Theoderich or Theoderic), Count of Autun.
Barthélemy de Chasseneuz practiced law in Autun in 1506, became crown attorney of the Autun bailliage in 1508, where he made his reputation as a criminal lawyer by his eloquent defence of a group of rats who were put on trial for destroying the barley crop of the province.
Nicolas Rolin, Chancellor of Burgundy underPhilip the Good, came from Autun, where several examples of his artistic patronage can be seen. TheRolin Madonna, byJan van Eyck, in theLouvre, shows what was probably at least intended as a view of Autun in the background.
The Fifth Stage of the2007 Tour de France ended in the town, with the entrance to Autun being a twisting and winding route down from a nearby mountain.
^Howard, Michael.The Franco-Prussian War: The German Invasion of France, 1870-1871. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1962. p.254
^"Autun (Saône-et-Loire) bataille du 8 au 9 septembre" (in French).La bataille pour la libération d'Autun se déroula du 8 au 9 septembre 1944 entre les forces de la Résistance (FTP, AS), le Corps Franc Pommiès (CFP), les unités de l'armée du général de Lattre d'une part et les forces d'Occupation allemande de l'autre. Les résistants eurent environ 80 tués.
^"UNIS POUR LA VICTOIRE !" (in French). Centre de documentation «Résistance et Déportation de Saône-et-Loire».Dans l'après-midi du 10 septembre, face à la force de frappe française et après de lourdes pertes, les Allemands capitulent sans condition, 3500 sont faits prisonniers.
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