Beaune is not the largest city in Burgundy. Dijon, Chalon-sur-Saône, Mâcon and Auxerre are ahead of it in this category. Forget its size, however, Beaune is the real WINE CAPITAL OF BURGUNDY. With the vineyards of Meursault, Montrachet, Vosnes-Romanée, Gevrey-Chambertin and Pommard on its doorstep, Beaune is at the heart of one of the most prestigious vineyards in the world. Burgundians will even tell you that it’s at the heart of the most prestigious vineyard in the world! But we won’t take sides in this debate, which has been tearing Burgundians and Bordelais apart since the dawn of time! One thing’s for sure: appellations such as Richebourg and Romanée-Conti make wine lovers the world over salivate!
Small in size, Beaune is easy to visit on foot. In just half a day, you can see the whole town. Allow a full day if you wish to visit the cellars and, above all, the HOSPICES DE BEAUNE.
Cellar visit in Beaune
During your stroll through Beaune, you’ll have the opportunity to visit a number of cellars open to the public. The most spectacular cellars in Beaune are undoubtedly those of Maison Patriarche. With 5 kilometers of vaulted galleries running beneath the city of Beaune, they are the largest cellars in Burgundy. And that’s not all! They are located on the site of a former convent, and some date back to the 13th century. If, however, you’d like to taste and meet the winemakers, give preference to smaller estates. The welcome will be less professional, but more authentic. You’ll find many domaines in the Beaune area, as well as a few fine addresses in the town center. Located in the ramparts of Beaune, the cellars of Domaine Françoise André, for example, offer a pleasant setting for wine tasting. You’ll be able to taste some of Burgundy’s great appellations. If you prefer these small estates, don’t assume that they’re open to the public all day. It’s always best to call ahead to make an appointment or to check the availability of the winemaker.
The Maison des Climats de Bourgogne
In Burgundy, when we talk about wine, we talk about Climats. Climats are parcels of vines that have been precisely delimited for centuries and have been classified as a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE since 2015. To understand these climats, be sure to visit the Maison des Climats de Bourgogne. Thanks to a film, a model of the vineyard and an exhibition featuring augmented reality, the climats of Burgundy will no longer hold any secrets for you. A game booklet is also available for children to make the visit even more fun.
The Hospices de Beaune, jewel of Burgundy
Apart from the wine, the other reason to visit Beaune is its superb HOSPICES DE BEAUNE. These Hospices, whose glazed tile roofs are one of the emblems of Burgundy, were created in the 15th century. Intended as a hospital for the poor, it is a masterpiece of flamboyant Gothic architecture. It bears witness to the golden age of the Dukes of Burgundy. The Hospices de Beaune own a vineyard whose wines are sold every November at the Hospices de Beaune auction, which attracts the entire international wine world to Burgundy. Perfectly preserved, these Hospices can now be visited. Here you can admire the grand salle des pôvres with its impressive overturned ship’s hull frame, the Gothic chapel, the kitchen and the beautiful apothecary. The highlight of the visit is the polyptych of the Last Judgement, a masterpiece of medieval religious art by the Flemish painter Rogier Van der Weyden.
A lively, gourmet city
In Beaune, you’ll find a wide choice of wine bars and restaurants where you can enjoy Burgundian cuisine. There are plenty of good addresses to choose from. We particularly like the Caves Madeleine. A lovely address with very reasonable lunch menus. If you visit Beaune on a Saturday morning, take the opportunity to visit the market held on the square in front of the Hospices de Beaune. It’s a great opportunity to discover the town in a different way, while sampling some of Burgundy’s specialties from the colorful stalls.
To find out more about Beaune: www.beaune-tourisme.fr
Our campsites near Beaune
A selection of campsites around Beaune with a majority of bare pitches for caravans, motorhomes or vans.
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