History of Autun

In late antiquity, Autun became famous for its schools of rhetoric. A world map famous for its size was displayed in the portico of one of the schools and may have survived until early modern times.

The area lies in the area of Burgundy.

In 725, the Umayyad general Anbasa ibn Suhaym Al-Kalbi marched up the Saône valley to Autun. On 22 August 725 he captured the town after defeating forces led by the local bishop, Emilian d’Autun, who was slain during the course of the battle. Autun marks the easternmost extent of the Umayyad campaign in Europe. However, the position was never retained, and Anbasa died soon after. The Umayyads are known to have raided the lower Rhone during the next decade, but Uzès was their northernmost stronghold and possibly Marseille the easternmost coastal stronghold.

In 880 the Count of Autun, Richard of Autun, became the first Duke of Burgundy.

In 1788, Talleyrand became bishop of Autun. He was elected member of the clergy for the General states of 1789.

The High School plays an important role in the history of the city and even France since Napoleon Bonaparte, who gave it its current name and his brothers Joseph and Lucien have studied there . This school continues to operate today. You can admire the wrought iron gates erected in 1772, the subjects taught in this place are indicated by various representations of objects along the top of these grids .

During the Franco-Prussian War