Fortified Auxonne

A quick mention for Auxonne, a town where young Napoleon Bonaparte was eager to teach Artillary at the military academy, and where a series of fortifications have over the centuries, with differing degrees of success, held the town against ruffians arriving by river boat and invading armies.

The Castle, at the heart of the fortifications is open from 7am until 8pm and you are free to wander.  Unobtrusive interpretation boards tell the history in French, English and German.

There is a large Port de Plaisance, the capitanaire is Australian.  For some reason, when we have passed this way, the port always seems to hold more than the usual number of interesting older boats and barges.