Parc de la Combe à l'Abbé

Semur-en-Auxois is a small fortified town in the Côte-d'Or department of Burgundy, in the Auxois, the green hill country west of Dijon, and it is one of the most picturesque in the region. It occupies a promontory of pink granite almost encircled by a loop of the Armançon river, with steep cliffs on all sides, and its towers, walls and red-tiled roofs seen from the bridges below give it the look of a medieval picture.

A combe is a wooded dip or small valley, and a park by such a name is likely to be a green area on the slopes that surround the old town, a place for quiet walks. Semur is a town to explore on foot, and its surroundings reward the effort. The river path, beneath the cliffs and walls, gives the best views of the fortifications, and the viewpoints at the bridges, notably the Pont Joly and the Pont Pinard, show the old houses stacked above the water.

The town's main monuments are close at hand. The remains of the castle include four of the original towers, among them the Tour de l'Orle d'Or and the Tour de la Gehenne, which form the keep. The Collégiale Notre-Dame, a fine thirteenth-century Gothic church, has a richly carved porch and a number of sculpted details, and its stained glass and chapels are worth a look. The town once had several concentric lines of walls, and sections of them can still be traced, so a walk along the ramparts reveals how the defences were arranged. The medieval gates and the Rue de la Halle, lined with old houses, are charming. The town is classed as a remarkable heritage site, and a large share of its area is protected.

Semur is easy to reach by the A6 motorway or by train to Montbard, about fifteen kilometres away, which makes it a convenient excursion from Dijon or Beaune, or a stop on a drive through Burgundy. Spring and autumn are good seasons for walking, when the colours along the river are at their best. The tourist office organises guided visits, as well as adventure trails for children.

The park suits walkers, families and visitors who like quiet corners. Allow an hour for the park and the river path, and a half-day for the town.