Beaune,  wine capital of Burgundy

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Beaune, located in the heart of Burgundy, is a very attractive small town renowned for two main reasons, firstly its unique UNESCO-listed medieval hospital, the Hôtel Dieu or Hospices de Beaune, and secondly its status as the historic wine capital of Burgundy.

The town's compact size makes it easy to explore on foot. Beaune’s historic center is a maze of narrow, cobbled streets lined with shops, cafés, and wine bars. The town is well-connected by train, and the Beaune train station has direct services to Dijon, Lyon and Paris. It is also accessible by car via the A6 Paris-Lyon motorway.

A short History of Beaune

  Beaune’s history dates back to Roman times, but the town is most famous for its association with the Dukes of Burgundy, who made it a centre of power during the medieval period. The Hôtel-Dieu, established in 1443, one of the most iconic buildings in France, stands as a proud symbol of the town's rich past. It was the Romans who introduced viticulture into Burgundy, and the area around Beaune has been the centre of the Burgundy wine trade for almost two thousand years.

Attractions and monuments in Beaune

   Hôtel-Dieu: The 15th-century Hôtel-Dieu, which functioned as a hospital right through to the 1970s, is Beaune’s most famous landmark. With its remarkable Gothic architecture, colorful glazed tile "Burgundian" roof, and well-preserved interiors, it is a unique historic example of a late medieval hospital. Its museum showcases art and artifacts related to the hospital's history, the most important of these being the unique 15th century tapestries, and the priceless Beaune Altarpiece, a polyptych painted for the hospital by the Early Flemish artist Rogier van der Weyden. Visitors are advised to book tickets online from the official site, or to come early to avoid the queues. Go directly to the Official booking site to reserve your visit with audioguide in several languages.

The town walls:  The centre of the old town is encircled by ancient ramparts, partly renovated in the 18th century. Parts of the ramparts can be walked along.

    The Wine Museum: Located in the town's historic center, this museum offers an interesting look into the history and techniques of Burgundy wine production, a must for wine enthusiasts.

    Place Carnot: Beaune’s main square is lined with cafés, restaurants, and the local market, offering a perfect place to enjoy regional specialties.

    Basilique Notre Dame de Beaune. A late Romanesque basilica dating from the 12th and 13th centuries, partly rebuilt in the Gothic style in the 14th century.

Burgundy is famous for its wine, but it is also a region rich in culinary delights. Be sure to try the region’s famous dishes such as Boeuf Bourguignon and Coq au Vin, and indulge in local cheeses and patisseries.

1. The Burgundy vineyards

The Burgundy "grand cru" vineyards are said to be some of the most valuable acres of agricultural real estate in the world; and with the top vintages selling at over 3000 € a bottle, that is easy to believe. Just a few kilometers from Beaune, the village of Pommard is renowned for its prestigious vineyards and wine cellars, where some of Burgundy’s finest wines can be tasted. For connoisseurs,  the 18th-century Château de Pommard offers guided tours through its vineyards, cellars, and beautiful grounds, along with opportunities for wine tastings.
     There are many other opportunities for buying or sampling the local wines, and while "grand crus" are out of range to most ordinary mortals, there are plenty of Burgundy wines on sale in shops and restaurants, at far more accessible prices.
    The prestigious Burgundy wine villages are connected by a marked Route des vins (wine trail) ; there is also a Burgundy vineyards cycle trail, the 72 km Voie des Vignes.

2. The Saone valley

The River Sâone is the longest tributary of the Rhone, which it joins at Lyon. In southern Burgundy it meanders slowly across a wide valley. The river can be easily reached at Verdun sur le Doubs, a delightful small town where the Sâone and Doubs rivers meet, and boats and kayaks can be hired by the hour.

3. Chateaux and historic sites near Beaune

In addition to the famous Burgundy wine châteaux, two other notable chateaux can be easily reached from Beaune.
The Château du Rochepot, southwest of Beaune, is a fairytale style castle, with Burgundian tiled roofs.  Twenty kilometres further on, the Chateau de Couche, also with coloured Burgundian-tiled roofs, has impressive battlements and keeps going back to the Middle Ages.
    50 km west of Beaune, the historic town of Autun, with its Roman remains and city walls, and romanesque cathedral, is definitely worth a visit.

• By air: The closest airport with international flights is Lyon-Saint Exupéry, two hours down the motorway.
• By rail: Beaune is easily accessible by train from  Dijon, Lyon and Paris. . The Beaune station is just a short walk from the town center.
• By road: Beaune is very easy to reach by road, being close to the intersection of three major motorways, the A6 which runs between Paris and Lyon, the A31 which comes down from Luxembourg, via Nancy and Dijon, and the A36 which comes from Germany, via Mulhouse and Besançon.