Bibracte , the sprawling archaeological remains of a Celtic city, sits atop beautiful Mont Beuvray , 25km west of Autun. Bibracte was the capital of the Celtic Aedui people during the 1st and 2nd centuries BC, and it was here, in 52 BC, that Vercingétorix was declared chief of the Gaulish coalition shortly before his defeat by Julius Caesar at Alésia. Caesar also resided here before the city decamped to Augustodunum (Autun). The site is covered with 1000 hectares of forest, blessed with expansive views and criss-crossed by walking trails, including the GR13. Stone remnants include ancient ramparts and several complexes of buildings, all in varying states of excavation.
