Charles Surugue Square

This is one of the most iconic squares in Auxerre, featuring one of the city’s most well-known figures: Cadet Roussel.

Cadet Roussel is a character in one of France’s most famous nursery rhymes, but he was a real person too! Born in the Jura in 1743, Guillaume Joseph Roussel moved to Auxerre at the age of 20, where he worked as a servant.

After marrying a wealthy woman, who was much older than him, he grew increasingly prosperous and managed to buy a position as a notary’s clerk. He then pursued legal studies, and began rubbing shoulders with the city’s influential figures, which led to him becoming a bailiff.

When his first wife passed away, he quickly remarried, this time to his late wife’s niece, who was 23 years younger than him. Known for his eccentric and extravagant behaviour, his words and actions often caught the townspeople off guard, he became a figure of mockery. His rival, Chevalier Chenu de Souchet, wrote and composed the famous “Cadet Roussel” song in 1792, during the revolutionary wars.

This is how he became one of France’s most famous figures, thanks to a children’s rhyme once sung by soldiers guarding the borders. Auxerre, the city where he lived for many years, decided to honour him with this statue in the heart of the city.

The elegant Hôtel de la Poste building, dating back to the 18th century, stands just across the fountain, which was once a grain market hall. Its architectural style is stunning, featuring a clock at the top, overlooking the square. As you take in the surroundings, you’ll see the square is encircled by beautiful buildings, including some striking half-timbered houses.