Beaune, located about 25 miles south of Dijon along the famous Route de Grande Crus, is an exquisite town of winding medieval streets set in the midst of the Bourgogne (Burgundy) region’s most celebrated vineyards. We love the charm of this totally walkable little French town. If Beaune isn’t already on your list of places to visit in Burgundy, read on and you’ll add it now.
Beaune Guide:
Musee de la Vigne et du Vin (Burgundy Wine Museum)
Housed in the former private residence of the Dukes of Burgundy (Hotel des Ducs de Bourgogne), the Burgundy Wine Museum displays giant winepresses and an interesting collection of traditional winemaking equipment. You will also see the history of the Burgundy vineyards and wine, from ancient times until today.
Hotel des Ducs de Bourgogne
rue d’Enfer
Tel: 03 80 22 08 19
Open: Daily 9:30am – 6pm, closed Tuesdays (Dec 1st to Mar 31st), Dec 25th and Jan 1st.
Hotel-Dieu – Hospices de Beaune
Every year, more than 400,000 visitors flock to the Hôtel-Dieu, a masterpiece of Flemish-Burgundian architecture. The Hotel Dieu includes a museum, three courtyards, outbuildings, a 15th-century bastion and wine cellars that house the personal reserve of the Hospices. The four buildings, flanking the Cour d’Honneur, represent the original layout of the Hôtel-Dieu and are open to the public.
A Little History
After the Hundred Year’s War, many of the region’s inhabitants suffered from poverty and famine. In 1443, Nicholas Rolin, and his wife built this hospital to house the poor and ill. The endowment provided not only care, but also beautiful artwork and a religious base. The chapel is integral to the dormitory so that patients could take part in services without leaving their beds. The first patients entered the hospice in December 1451; the last left in 1971. The Hotel-Dieu then became a museum.
The Christ-de-Pitie statue is one of two masterpieces housed in the Hôtel-Dieu. It is carved from a single block of thousand-year-old oak. The other religious masterpiece is The Last Judgement Polyptych, a painting attributed to Roger Van der Weyden. The Hotel Dieu is an absolute must-see when visiting the Burgundy area. One hour guided visits are available and special tours of the Hotel Dieu Museum can be arranged and the new Fermentation cellar and old wine storehouse.
Hotel-Dieu Museum
rue de l’Hotel-dieu
21200 Beaune
Open: Daily 9 – 11:30am and 2 – 5:30pm; Mar 22 to Nov 16, daily 9am – 6pm
Collegiale Notre Dame 
Inside this mainly Romanesque church, hang five very fine 15th century woolen and silk tapestries depicting the life of the Virgin Mother, commissioned by the Rolin family.
Les Tapisseries de Notre-Dame
Tel: 03 80 26 21 30
Open: Daily, closed Sunday mornings and during mass 9:30am – 12:30pm, and 2 – 5pm
Entrance Fee: Free
Marche aux Vins
Enjoy a taste of the wonderful wines produced in Burgundy vineyards. Tasting is free and you can take a tour of this old wine market. A wine waiter is at your disposal to give further information. Reservations desired
2 rue Nicolas Rolin
21200 Beaune
Tel: 03 80 25 08 20
Open: Daily 9:30am – 11:45am and 2 -5:45pm June 15th to Sept 15th 9:30am- 5:45pm, closed Dec 25 and Jan 1
Where to Stay in Beaune
Hôtel de la Poste ****
36 rooms
Set close to the city center, this former coach house offers four-star comfort. This comfortable Beaune hotel features a courtyard garden and restaurant.
Bd Georges Clémenceau, 21200 Beaune
Tel: 03.80.22.08.11 / Fax: 03.80.24.19.71
Château de Gilly*****
Located between Beaune and Dijon, this former Cistercian Abbey is set in the heart of the finest wine (“Grand Cru”) producing area in Burgundy. It is exquisitely decorated and the Burgundy cuisine is wonderful. We have stayed here twice and I look forward to our next stay.
Gilly-les-Cà®teaux,
21640 Vougeot
Tel:03.80.62.89.98
Hostellerie Le Cedre****
This hotel is located in a beautiful, park-like setting. Guestrooms at the Hostellerie Le Cedre Beaune offer authentic décor with luxury bedding, cable television, work desks, high speed Internet access, valet laundry, en suite bathrooms, and room service. The Hostellerie Le Cedre Beaune offers both a restaurant and a lounge bar, as well as a fitness center, a swimming pool, a spa tub, a business center and ample meeting spaces, 24 hour reception, and a sauna.
10-12 Boulevard Marechal Foch
Beaune, France
Chez Les Fatien Hotel***
Within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Beaune, Chez Les Fatien Hotel has tastefully appointed with air conditioning, bathrobes, daily newspaper, desk, hair dryer, and in room safes. The hotel provides a warm and welcoming service of international standard.
17 Rue Sainte Marguerite
Beaune, France
Where to Eat in Beaune
Ma Cuisine $$$
Set in an historic building, Ma Cuisine serves traditional Burgundian cuisine. This is hearty country cooking is not to be missed. The wine list is extensive and not that pricey. The service is warm. We can’t say enough about this wonderful restaurant.
Passage Sainte-Hélène
21200 Beaune
Tel: 03.80.22.30.22
Le Central $$
Enjoy good food served in quiet and refined surroundings right in the center of Beaune. Specializing in Burgundy cuisine, this restaurant is a sure winner.
2 rue Victor-Millot
21200 Beaune
Tel: 03 80 24 77 24
Le Grand Bleu $
Located in the center of Beaune between the Place Carnot and the street of Lorraine, this hotel restaurant offers fish and seafood as well as Burgundy cuisine specialties. Be sure to try their homemade desserts
10 – 12 place au Beurre
21200 Beaune
Tel: 03 80 24 70 70
Open: Tue -Sat
Le Fleury $
Traditional Burgundy cuisine served with the wonderful wines of the region. The charming dining room makes your meal special.
15 place Fleury
21200 Beaune
Tel: 03 80 22 35 50
Hostellerie de l’Ecusson $$$$
Jean-Pierre Senelet’s cuisine in l’Ecusson offers a unique and tantalizing change from the ordinary. Choose between the charming interior or terrace seating. This is a special restaurant that will leave you with fond memories of Burgundy.
2 rue Lieutenant Dupuis
Place Malmedy
21200 Beaune
Tel: 03 80 24 03 82
Au Bon Accueil $
This little restaurant is popular with the locals, offering good Burgundian fare and delicious tarts. Dine on the wonderful terrace and enjoy a great view.
Montagne de Beaune
21200 Beaune
Tel: 03 80 22 08 80
Open: Daily, closed Mon and Tue evenings, and Wed
Burgundy Wine Tasting in Beaune
Cave Sainte-Helene
Pierre Escoffier and his wife run this 13th century wine cellar. They have accumulated a collection of vieilles millesimes (old vintages) wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux and Cotes du Rhone
24 place Carnot
passage Ste-Helene
21200 Beaune
Tel: 03 80 22 30 22
Open: Daily 9:30am – noon 3 – 6pm, closed Wednesday and Sunday
Les Caves de la Chapelle
This Beaune wine cave is located in the heart of town, right beside the ancient Carmelite convent. The proprietors will introduce you to some of the best crus that helped to establish the reputation of Burgundy.
2 place Ziem
21200 Beaune
Tel: 03 80 24 69 12
Caves des Cordeliers
There are free tastings at this Beaune wine cave.
6 rue de l’Hôtel-Dieu
Open: Daily 9:30am – noon and 2 – 7pm
Shopping and Markets in Beaune
Traditional Market
Wed and Sat, 7am – 12:30pm
Place de la Halle
The main shopping and market streets in this charming town are Rue Carnot and Rue Mongt.
Main Tourist Office
Beaune Guide Information, Bureau de change, hotel reservations, guided visits .
6 blvd Perpreuil
Tel: 03 80 26 21 30
Open: Jun 15th to Sept 26th Mon -Sat 9am – 8pm Sun 9am – 7pm, off season varies
Written by Terri Fogarty for EuropeUpClose.com