Arnay-le-Duc is a commune

Communes of France

The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...

 of the Côte-d'Or

Côte-d'Or

Côte-d'Or is a department in the eastern part of France.- History :Côte-d'Or is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on 4 March 1790. It was formed from part of the former province of Burgundy.- Geography :...

 department in Bourgogne

Bourgogne

Burgundy is one of the 27 regions of France.The name comes from the Burgundians, an ancient Germanic people who settled in the area in early Middle-age. The region of Burgundy is both larger than the old Duchy of Burgundy and smaller than the area ruled by the Dukes of Burgundy, from the modern...

 in eastern France

France

The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

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History

Arnay-le-Duc was the location of the worship of the Celtic god

Celtic mythology

Celtic mythology is the mythology of Celtic polytheism, apparently the religion of the Iron Age Celts. Like other Iron Age Europeans, the early Celts maintained a polytheistic mythology and religious structure...

 Abilus, who was associated with the goddess Damona

Damona

In Gallo-Roman religion, Damona was a goddess worshipped in Gaul as the consort of Apollo Borvo and of Apollo Moritasgus. Mary Jones interprets Damona's name as "Divine Cow" based on its resemblance to damos or "cow". She has sometimes been linked with the Irish goddess Boand on the basis of this...

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Population

Personalities

Arnay-le-Duc was the birthplace of Bonaventure des Périers

Bonaventure des Périers

Bonaventure des Périers was a French author.He was born of a noble family at Arnay-le-duc in Burgundy at the end of the fifteenth century....

(c. 1500-1544), author.

Sights

The Église Saint-Laurent (Church of St. Lawrence) in Arnay-le-Duc was originally created as a fortified chapel to the château de la Motte-Forte. In 1092 the chapel was donated to the town by the nobleman Gérard d'Arnay and from that time on served as the town's church. The church has particularly attractive stained glass windows.

The church as is known today was created during the 15th (nave) and 16th century (chancel and ten chapels).The loft and steeple where added during the 18th century.

Wine

Arnay le Duc is regarded by many as the 'gateway to the wine region," and the town lies only a short drive from the wineries of Beaune and Nuits St. George. The town boasts some wonderful medieval architecture which can easily be missed if you are driving through on the RN16. Whist never over run with tourists in the summer there is much to offer the visitor with the attractions of Etang de Fouche with its pleasant lake, beach and swimming pool. There are several excellent restaurants offereing typical Bourgogne cuisine in attractive surroundings. Chez Camille, Le Dauphine and Le Terminus are well worth visiting for lunch or dinner. During July and August the Nocturne Estivales (Thursday evenings) turn the normally quiet streets into a huge party with live music, a variety of pavements cafes as well as local "producteurs" offering their wines, champagne, cheeses and preserved meats from stalls. Arnay le Duc has a unique charm which should not be missed if you are visiting Burgundy.