Recommended hotels and luxurious vacation apartments in Autun

A restored watermill by Philippe Gilbert Hamerton, about five hundred meters from the Temple of Janus and a ten-minute walk from the historic center. The view from the rooms falls over the fields and rises back up to the cathedral tower, and in the courtyard there is a garden with a stream where dinner is served in the summer. Frederic, the host, speaks good English and welcomes guests himself, and according to reviews, he is also the one who recommends hiking trails in the area. With over four hundred reviews and a consistently high score, this is the only property in Autun that functions as a real hotel and yet maintains the character of a home. The building is old, the rooms are not uniform in size, and I recommend requesting a renovated room with a garden view when booking.

A 14th-century mansion in Saint-Forgeot, six kilometers from Otan, rebuilt on the ruins of a castle destroyed during the Revolution. Catherine and Gerard Ritter renovated it with understated taste, and they are the ones who welcome guests themselves, serve breakfast with homemade jams and give recommendations for restaurants and wineries in the area. The rooms are high and spacious, some have a fireplace, and are surrounded by a wooded park and fields as far as the horizon without a single neighbor in sight. Parking is on site and free, right in front of the entrance. It's a ten-minute drive from Otan, and in terms of atmosphere it's a completely different world. Note that this is an old building with all that that implies, meaning creaks and imperfect corners, and that it's not possible to add a bed or cot to the room.

Relais et Château on eighty hectares in Saint-Jean-de-Trézy, about thirty kilometers east of Lauten, in the heart of the Cossac region. Only seven rooms and six suites, a seasonal outdoor pool, a spa with a sauna and a steam room, and beyond the window a meadow where thoroughbred horses from the estate's breeding farm graze. The restaurant, La Table de Rimesque, cooks almost entirely from the farm's own produce, from the garden, the orchard and the herd, and the wine cellar is dedicated entirely to Burgundy. One of the rooms is built like an oval on the edge of the lake and deliberately has no television or telephone. This is the most expensive option in this article by a considerable margin; there are no extra beds in the rooms, and without a car the place is completely isolated.

An 18th-century watermill on Chemin du Vieux Moulin, about four kilometers from the center of Autun, with just five rooms, a seasonal outdoor pool, a large garden, and a fireplace in the living room. Hosts Anna and Yves serve dinner at a communal table by reservation, and this is the part that comes up in every second review: it is a real meal, not an add-on. The place is rated four stars and functions more like a private estate than a hotel, and those looking for complete peace will find it here. Two important caveats: the property does not accept children at all, and without a car there is no practical way to get from it to the city.

The cathedral rectory, a 15th-18th-century building classified as a heritage site, is on Place Sainte-Barbe right at the foot of Saint-Lazare. Just four rooms, all very large, with real antique furniture, high ceilings and wooden interior shutters. There's a quiet enclosed garden at the back, and in winter breakfast is served by the fireplace. Couples give the location almost a 10, and rightly so: you couldn't sleep closer to the cathedral. There's no reception, so you have to arrange your arrival time in advance, and breakfast is an extra charge and not included.

A small guesthouse on Place Pierre Saint Yves, in a quiet neighborhood a short walk from the cathedral, which has undergone a thorough renovation in recent years. The rooms are bright, the bathroom is surprisingly large and modern, and there is an interior courtyard with a balcony where you can sit. Breakfast is continental with fresh pastries and juice, and Marie and Angel also provide a baby safety gate for those arriving with a small child. The review that came back to me most often said that the modest facade creates low expectations and that the interior is pleasantly surprising, and that is exactly the description. There is no reception here and no hotel services, it is a private home that hosts.

An old post office over two hundred years old on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Pancrace, between the old town and the Forêt de Planoise. Behind the large carriage gate opens a wide garden with an outdoor bath and barbecue for guests to use, and there are three rooms with a fully equipped kitchen and a separate entrance. Marion, the hostess, welcomes guests herself and shares local recommendations, which is repeated in almost every review. Parking is on site and free of charge. The property sits on the edge of town, so the walk back from the center is about a fifteen-minute climb, which is noticeable at the end of a day of walking.

Units on Rue Chanoine Trinquet, a five-minute walk from the cathedral, in a carefully divided historic building. Two options are offered here at the same address: a studio for a couple or an apartment that is suitable for four to seven people, making it the most convenient solution in Autun for a large family. There is air conditioning, which is rare in city apartments, a dishwasher, microwave, coffee maker and a view of the inner courtyard. Geraldine, the host, responds quickly and provides keys even late at night, according to reviews. Check-in is from 5 p.m., and incidental payments on site are made in cash only.

Two gites for four people each, in a stone building on Rue Cocand, right at the foot of the cathedral and a few hundred meters from the Musée Rolin. Each unit has a bedroom, living room and kitchen, and in the middle there is a shared patio that is the heart of the place. Victoire, the host, also runs wine tasting workshops by organic Burgundy winemakers here, and occasionally a small restaurant in the courtyard, which is what guests write about the most. With nearly one hundred and fifty reviews and a score of nine and a half, this is the property with the best profile in the city. The only recurring drawback is the lack of shelves and storage cabinets, which is noticeable during a long stay with open suitcases.

A gite on Rue de l'Arbalète in the upper town, with two bedrooms, one bathroom and a full kitchen that also includes a dishwasher. There is private parking, which is an important point in the narrow streets of the historic neighborhood. The property has been on this page for several years and continues to earn high marks, although its number of reviews is still relatively small. The location allows you to walk to the cathedral, the Roman theater and the remains of the wall without getting in the car. Two bedrooms and one bathroom are an attitude that is noticeable when getting ready in the morning for five people.

Apartment on Rue aux Raz, a two-minute walk from the cathedral, with a bedroom, living room, fully equipped kitchen and a balcony overlooking a small garden. The detail that makes it particularly worthwhile is the private garage under the apartment, meaning covered and locked parking within the historic neighborhood, which is something that is almost impossible to get in Autun. There is a separate entrance and soundproofing, and the street is quiet. I recommend it for a couple with a child or a couple staying a few nights and cooking. The apartment is compact and basic in its equipment, and the entrance to the garage is narrow and requires some patience with a large car.

An aparthotel on Rue Au Re, meaning independent units with kitchenettes in a managed building, with an elevator, private entrance to each unit, shared garden and balcony, and the option of a continental breakfast. The property is a long-standing one on this page, and is a safe choice for those who want a kitchen and flexibility but don't want to coordinate keys with a private host. Its score is lower than the standard I set today, and I'm leaving it here mainly because of the high availability and location. Private parking is at an additional cost, and towels and linens are also charged separately in some rates, so it's worth reading the booking details.

Studio with sleeping gallery on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Blaise, in the upper town and about four hundred meters from the cathedral. Everything has been renovated from the ground up: a fully equipped kitchen with washing machine and oven, an Italian shower and a view of the greenery. Street parking is free and available, and couples rate the location almost a ten. I recommend it for couples staying two or three nights and wanting a simple, clean base in the historic center. Note that the studio is on the second floor of a small building with no elevator, and that the bedroom is in a gallery accessed by wooden stairs, which may not be for everyone.

An aparthotel on Rue de la Grille, in the city center, with air-conditioned units, a small gym, and a breakfast that gets particularly high marks for its category. The property is run like a small hotel, with an organized check-in and no need for a private landlord, which is a real advantage for those arriving at an unexpected time. It has been on this page for a long time, and its score is stable at around eight out of nearly a hundred reviews. The kitchenette is very small and suitable for heating and coffee, not for real cooking, and this is echoed in reviews from guests who expected more.