AUXERRE

town, capital, Yonne dpartement, Bourgogne rgion, central France, on the Yonne River. The town, which flourished in pre-Roman and Roman days, became the seat of a bishop and a civitas (provincial capital) in the 3rd century. It was united to France by Louis XI in the 1400s. The Cathedral of Saint-tienne (13th16th-century Gothic) has three sculptured doorways and a rose window on the west front. A massive tower rises in the northwest corner. The early Gothic choir and the apsidal chapel contain some of the best 13th-century stained glass in France. The Church of Saint-Eusbe (founded 7th century) shows styles from the 12th to the 16th century. Below the Church of Saint-Germain, crypts of the 9th century contain tombs of the bishops of Auxerre. The town is a commercial and industrial centre; its industries include food processing, woodworking, and batteries. Another chief product of Auxerre is wine, especially Chablis, from the surrounding vineyards. Pop. (1990) 40,597.