Autricourt

Autricourt is located some 55 km south-east of Troyes and 22 km north by north-east of Châtillon-sur-Seine. The northern border of the commune is the departmental border between Côte-d'Or and Aube. Access to the commune is by the D13 road from Grancey-sur-Ource in the north-west passing through the centre of the commune and the village and continuing south-east to Belan-sur-Ource. Much of the commune in the north and south is heavily forested however the centre of the commune is farmland.

The Ource river flows through the centre of the commune from south-east to north-west before it continues north-west to join the Seine at Merrey-sur-Arce. The Ruisseau de Beaumont flows from the north-east towards the south-west to join the Ource in the commune.

Neighbouring communes and villages

The village has Celtic origins with ditches and embankments that have been observed near the present village. In the hamlet of Champigny Gallic tombs have been found. The name Autricourt came from the Frankish era and was the name of a landowner: Auster with curtis meaning "domain". Araound the 11th century a feudal fief was created as evidenced by the presence of the castle and which later came under the rule of the Dukes of Burgundy.

List of Successive Mayors

The inhabitants of the commune are known as Astricurtois or Astricurtoises in French.

Civil heritage

The commune has a number of buildings and structures that are registered as historical monuments:

• The Town Hall / School (1853)
• The Cottenet House (1734)
• A Lavoir (Public laundry) at Ruelle du Four (19th century)
• A Bridge (18th century) (destroyed)
• A Lavoir (Public laundry) (1846)
• A Chateau (14th century). The chateau is in a park in the village centre and is privately owned. The oldest part dates to the end of the 11th century and it is surrounded by a moat fed by a branch of the Ource. The existing building, a lodging flanked by two round towers, dates to the 14th and 16th centuries. Over time it belonged to the lords of Autricourt, Rupt, Anglure, Ligneville, Crillon, Valois, Mursey, and Gaucourt. In 1795 the chateau and its grounds were purchased by Jacques-Alexandre Gautier de Vinfrais, formerly Lord of Villeneuve-le-Roi and of Ablon. In 1809 the chateau was inherited by the Treil de Pardailhan family who have conserved it until recent years.

Religious heritage

The commune has many religious buildings and structures that are registered as historical monuments:

• The Parish Church of Saint Valentin (15th century)
• A Monumental Cross (19th century)
• The Church of Saint Valentin excluding the facade and bell tower (16th century)
• A Cemetery Cross (1832)
• A Chapel (19th century)

The Church of Saint-Valentin contains many items that are registered as historical objects:

• The Furniture in the Church
• A Banner (19th century)
• 2 Processional Crosses (18th century)
• 4 Processional Staffs (19th century)
• A Cabinet (18th century)
• A Painting: Saint Anne, Saint Joachim, and the Virgin Mary (17th century)
• A Painting: The Last Supper (17th century)
• A Painting: Donation of the Rosary to Saint Dominique and Saint Catherine of Sienne (17th century)
• A Sculpture: Saint Nicolas (18th century)
• A Statue: Virgin and child (2) (14th century)
• A Statue: Virgin and child (1) (19th century)
• A Statue: Saint Catherine of Alexandria (19th century)
• A Statue: Saint Barbe (15th century)
• A Statue: Saint Valentin of Rome (2) (1793)
• A Statue: Saint Valentin of Rome (1) (1793)
• A Cross: Christ on the Cross (2) (18th century)
• A Cross: Christ on the Cross (1) (17th century)
• The Choir enclosure (18th century)
• The Baptismal font (13th century)
• The Pulpit (18th century)
• The Secondary Altar and Retable (19th century)
• The main Altar, Tabernacle, and altar seating (19th century)

Environmental heritage

Because of its efforts to raise the quality of its nocturnal environment the commune was labeled a "2 star Village" in 2013. The label is awarded by the National Association for the Protection of the sky and nocturnal environment (ANPCEN) and has 5 levels. A panel is displayed at the entrance to the village to show this distinction.

• Louis-Anne Gautier de Vinfrais, Knight of Saint Louis and of the Legion of Honour, arquebus-holder for Louis XVIII and Charles X, admitted to the rank of lieutenant colonel during the Restoration. He was mayor of Autricourt from 1813 to 1830. He was a descendant of Charles Gautier de Vinfrais, an officer of the Royal Hunt.