A Travel Price Comparison for France Saint-Etienne vs. Auxerre for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Auxerre?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint-Etienne and Auxerre. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a park-filled, industrial, and undiscovered city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and hiking.

Auxerre

Auxerre is a under-rated, undiscovered, and authentic town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the food and museums.

Saint-Etienne and Auxerre: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint-Etienne or Auxerre?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Saint-Etienne. Although Saint-Etienne and Auxerre are both popular with visitors, Saint-Etienne has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Saint-Etienne is more popular for its nightlife, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Auxerre is known for its food and small town charm. Saint-Etienne is popular for its industrial and manufacturing past. It is also home to The Museum of Art and Industry. Auxerre is popular for its food, wine, and art history.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Auxerre?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Auxerre and Saint-Etienne. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint-Etienne or Auxerre?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Saint-Etienne and Auxerre.

Saint-Etienne offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Auxerre. Although the town is often overlooked by tourists, there are many nice cathedrals and churches around town.

Is the Food Better in Saint-Etienne or Auxerre? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Auxerre is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Auxerre has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The town is a the heart of the wine industry, so you'll find many great restaurants where you can enjoy local food and wine.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Saint-Etienne or Auxerre Better for Nightlife?

Saint-Etienne is very good for its evening party scene. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint-Etienne has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Most people don't head to Auxerre specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It has a quiet nightlife with some nice bars and pubs.

Is Saint-Etienne or Auxerre Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is very good for hiking. However, Auxerre is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Saint-Etienne. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Auxerre is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Auxerre?

Saint-Etienne is adequate for its shopping areas. However, Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saint-Etienne or Auxerre Better for Families?

Both Saint-Etienne and Auxerre are good family-friendly destinations.

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Auxerre is a family-friendly place to visit. There's the Zoo de La Fleche and the Aquarium de Touraine. You can also wander through Musee de l'Avallon or des Plantes.

Is Saint-Etienne or Auxerre Better for Couples?

Auxerre is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

Auxerre makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many great eateries as well nice architecture and, of course, excellent wine.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Saint-Etienne or Auxerre Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint-Etienne and Auxerre both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Auxerre has a few public transit options. There are buses around town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Auxerre a more walkable city?

Saint-Etienne and Auxerre are good when it comes to walkability.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable place. There are several walkable areas in the city.

Auxerre is a somewhat walkable city. The center is walkable but it is a bit more difficult to navigate than some nearby towns.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting? and Is Auxerre Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Auxerre or Saint-Etienne?

How long in Saint-Etienne or Auxerre?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Saint-Etienne or Auxerre to fill your time. In our opinion, Saint-Etienne has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Saint-Etienne than Auxerre. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Auxerre than Saint-Etienne. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Auxerre, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Auxerre than Saint-Etienne. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Auxerre that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint-Etienne than Auxerre if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Saint-Etienne.

One day in Saint-Etienne or Auxerre?

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find nightlife and museums. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the undiscovered destination of Auxerre. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or Auxerre?

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saint-Etienne has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Auxerre. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint-Etienne or Auxerre?

Saint-Etienne is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Auxerre. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Saint-Etienne or Auxerre?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint-Etienne. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find museums and food around the town of Auxerre. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Saint-Etienne and Auxerre, we can see that Auxerre is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint-Etienne Expensive? and Is Auxerre Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Auxerre?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Auxerre. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne and Auxerre, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Saint-Etienne or Auxerre?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Auxerre in the Summer?

Both Auxerre and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Auxerre in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint-Etienne is a little warmer than Auxerre. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint-Etienne in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Auxerre averages at about 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Auxerre. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint-Etienne. Saint-Etienne usually receives more sunshine than Auxerre during summer. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 255 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint-Etienne usually receives more rain than Auxerre. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Auxerre in the Autumn?

Both Auxerre and Saint-Etienne during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Auxerre for the small town atmosphere during these months.

In October, Saint-Etienne is generally around the same temperature as Auxerre. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 14°C (56°F), and Auxerre fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Saint-Etienne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Auxerre. Saint-Etienne gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 126 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in October than Auxerre. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Auxerre in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Auxerre. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Auxerre because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Auxerre can be very cold. Saint-Etienne can be very cold during winter. Saint-Etienne is a little warmer than Auxerre in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Auxerre fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives more sunshine than Auxerre during winter. Saint-Etienne gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 53 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Auxerre. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Auxerre in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Auxerre. The spring months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the natural beauty. Also, the small town charm are the main draw to Auxerre this time of year.

In the spring, Saint-Etienne is a little warmer than Auxerre. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint-Etienne in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Auxerre averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Saint-Etienne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Auxerre. Saint-Etienne gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 167 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in April than Auxerre. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Auxerre and Saint-Etienne