A Day in Beaune
DISCOVERING FRANCE’S MEDIEVAL HERITAGE
Destination 7 minute read
Beaune is a town in France’s Burgundy region, 20 minutes’ drive from COMO Le Montrachet. In the Middle Ages, Beaune was the seat of the Dukes of Burgundy, with vast political and economic influence, becoming a central hub for the production and trade of Burgundy’s world-famous wines. It’s like a portal to an older world, with narrow medieval streets and historic shopfronts that are packed with charm. Beaune is well worth a day’s visit: here, we list the best things to see and do.
Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune
The Hôtel-Dieu, or Hospices de Beaune, was founded in 1443, and was an active hospital for over 500 years until 1971 when the landmark was turned into a museum. It’s best known for its striking Gothic architecture and colourful tiled roof, but the interior is interesting too, with excellently preserved medieval wards, kitchens and the famous 15th-century Beaune Altarpiece or Last Judgement polyptych painted by Rogier van der Weyden. Each November, an exceptional annual wine auction is held in the Halle de Beaune — directly opposite the Hôtel-Dieu — which is a sale of the current year’s vintage ‘en primeur’ (as futures).
Explore the streets — and bakeries
You can walk along the city’s ramparts — parts of which date back to the Roman period, when Beaune was a fortified settlement along a major Roman road. Along the way, you’ll find all sorts of traditional French shops including bakeries selling fresh pastries and bread — among the best are Marie Boucherot and Pâtisserie Thomas Bouvart.
Fromagerie Alain Hess
Another destination ideal for picnic supplies is the Fromagerie Alain Hess is on the Place Carnot, in Beaune’s centre. It’s currently run by Master Cheesemaker Charles Hess, representing the fourth generation of his family’s cheesemaking business. Their cheese selection includes Burgundian classics such as Époisses, Brillat Savarin and Citeaux, as well as Délice de Pommard, a rare triple cream cheese coated with mustard seeds.
Cité des Climats et Vin de Bourgogne
The Cité des Climats et Vin de Bourgogne is dedicated to Burgundy's wine culture and heritage, with a variety of workshops and exhibitions throughout the year. It has an immersive visitor trail, covering 2,000 years of viticulture, and particularly highlights the Climats, a model of terroir-based viticulture that is unique to Bourgogne. Each tour ends with an introduction to wine tasting.
Wine Cellars
As Burgundy’s wine capital, Beaune is home to several notable wine cellars. Among them, Maison Joseph Drouhin, Bouchard Père et Fils and Patriarche Père et Fils all have tours which tell the story of their wine, as well as offering tastings. The cellars often have interesting history attached to them too — Maison Patriarche Père et Fils for instance have the largest cellars in Burgundy, and are located in the 17th-century former convent of the Visitandines.
For more information, or help booking tours or tickets in Beaune, please speak to the concierge at COMO Le Montrachet.
