Autun

• 1. Augustus And The Aedui

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  Emperor Augustus founded the city of Autun during the early years of the Roman Empire. He named it Augustodunum to honor himself and provide a new capital for the Gallic people known as the Aedui. These Celts had been allies of Rome since before Julius Caesar launched his Gallic Wars. The original political center of the Aedui was Bibracte, located some distance away from the new site. This planned foundation replaced the older oppidum with a structured urban layout. Estimates suggest the population may have reached between 30,000 and 100,000 people in Roman times. Today the commune holds about 15,000 residents.

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• 2. Battles And Religious Councils

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  In AD 356 a force of Alemanni laid siege to Autun and threatened its survival. The disrepair of the walls left the city vulnerable to falling into enemy hands. Emperor Julian arrived to save Autun during one of his early military successes. Later history brought more conflict when Merovingian kings Childebert I and Chlothar I fought the Battle of Autun in 532. They defeated Burgundians led by King Godomar and took control of the region. Another battle occurred near Autun in 642 or 643 between feuding Frankish noblemen. Leodegar served as bishop of Autun from around 616 until his death in 678. He was tortured and killed in Lucheux on orders from Ebroin, the Mayor of the Palace. Around 670 he had presided over the second council of Autun following an earlier meeting convened by Bishop Syagre in 599. In 880 Count Richard of Autun became the first Duke of Burgundy.

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• 3. Oil Shale And Uranium Discovery

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  Autun emerged as a pioneer of the Industrial Revolution through early exploitation of oil shale deposits. A commercial mining operation began near the city in 1837 marking the start of the modern oil-shale industry. This activity continued for decades before shifting focus elsewhere. The town gained global scientific recognition in 1852 when workers discovered a uranium mineral nearby. They named this new mineral autunite after the town itself. Today Autun hosts headquarters for several international companies including Dim and Nexans. It also contains one of six French military high schools known as Lycée militaire d'Autun. These developments have given renewed dynamism to the region since the twentieth century.

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• 4. Resistance And Liberation Struggle

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  During World War II German forces occupied Autun until September 1944. The fight to liberate the city proved particularly bloody for members of the French Resistance. About 80 resistance fighters were killed during these intense months of struggle. Germans had destroyed numerous villages in the surrounding area especially within the Morvan region. That area was home to a large Resistance movement operating against occupation forces. The Germans surrendered unconditionally on the 10th of September 1944 before American troops arrived. On the 13th of September 1944 French and American servicemen stood together in front of Autun City Hall. Adjutant Émile Lancery from Toulon shook hands with Louis Basil, a sergeant from Patton's Third Army who came from the Cotentin peninsula. A French flag bearing a Cross of Lorraine flew visibly in the background that day.

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• 5. Roman Gates And Cathedral Sculpture

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  The city retains two ancient Roman gates called Porte Saint-André and Porte d'Arroux alongside other ruins dating back to Augustus era. One impressive remnant is an ancient theatre capable of holding 17,000 seats making it one of the largest in western empire territories. To the northwest stands the Temple of Janus where only two walls remain today. Southeast lies the mysterious Pierre de Couhard rock pyramid whose function remains uncertain though it may date to Roman times. Autun Cathedral known as Saint Lazare Cathedral dates from early twelfth century and exemplifies major Romanesque architecture. It once served as chapel for Dukes of Burgundy while their palace housed actual episcopal residence. The cathedral was originally built as pilgrimage church honoring relic Saint Lazarus mentioned in Gospels. Architectural sculpture adorns the tympanum above west portal including surviving fragments from lost north transept portal. Capitals throughout nave and choir bear traditional attribution to sculptor named Gislebertus whose name appears on west tympanum.

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• 6. Museums And Modern Economy

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  Autun's best-known museum houses historical artistic collections under the name Musée Rolin. Visitors can explore exhibits featuring items like a second to third century AD mosaic showing Bellerophon riding Pegasus. Nearby attractions include Arboretum de Pézanin containing one of France's richest forest collections. Tourists also visit Rock of Solutré nearby Cluny Abbey medieval city Charolles with its famous cattle breed and Mâcon town. The commune maintains sister city relationships with Ingelheim am Rhein since 1963 Stevenage since 1975 Kawagoe since 2002 and Arévalo since 2005. European Triathlon Championships took place in the town during 2006. Fifth stage of 2007 Tour de France ended here after winding descent from mountain entrance. These cultural and sporting events contribute significantly to local economy alongside international business operations.

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