We often have the opportunity to go through Burgundy, a region that we particularly like! So it was with great enthusiasm that we went visit Beaune, a charming town in the heart of the Burgundy vineyards and a few dozen kilometers from Dijon.
Beaune is one of the must-see cities to visit if you love good wine! During our visit, we were very pleasantly surprised by this small town, on a human scale, but so dynamic and offering many cultural places to visit.
In this article, I take you to discover our visit to Beaune. We will also cover a very important subject if you are passing through the region: Where to sleep in Beaune? Indeed, the city of Beaune can be an ideal stopover on your visit to Burgundy.
Summary:
- Presentation of Beaune
- What to do in Beaune?
- Practical advice for visiting Beaune
- What to do around Beaune?
- My opinion on our visit to Beaune
Presentation of Beaune
Before getting into the details of things to do in Beaune, I would first like to introduce you to this city in a few words.
Geographically speaking, Beaune is about 45 kilometers south of Dijon, or a 40-minute drive. In the heart of the most famous vineyards in the world, Beaune is the capital of Burgundy wines! In Beaune, everything is linked to wines, to the Climats of Burgundy, … You will find some of the most famous wine houses in Beaune and the surrounding area. It is a real religion.
But Beaune is also a small medieval town, perfectly well preserved and where it is very pleasant to walk and visit. Surrounded by its ramparts protecting the city since the XNUMXth century, Beaune is concentrated inside the latter, giving it this conviviality and this proximity to all the important places of the city.
What to do in Beaune?
Let's get down to business and answer the main question: What to do in Beaune? The visits are numerous and diverse. They revolve largely around wine, vineyards, … This is what we will see right away.
What to visit in Beaune?- Stroll through the streets of Beaune
- Visit the Hospices de Beaune
- Attend the Hospices de Beaune Wine Auction
- Participate in the International Crime Film Festival
- Enter the Collegiate Basilica of Notre-Dame
- Walk around the ramparts
- Taste a great Burgundy wine
- Visit the Burgundy Climats House
- Discover Beaune by night
- Taste the Fallot Mustard
- Discover the museums of Beaune
Stroll through the streets of Beaune
The first thing to do when you arrive in Beaune is to immerse yourself in this city and set off to explore it. To do this, nothing better than strolling through its small cobbled streets, going from place to place and admiring its magnificent period houses that have been perfectly preserved and maintained.
Follow the “Walk in Beaune”
If you want to follow a visit and take advantage of commentaries teaching you many things about Beaune and its history, I invite you to download the mobile application "Balades en Bourgogne" and select the walk entitled "Balade à Beaune". The latter takes you on a discovery of the city of Beaune, its narrow streets, squares, important places, etc. In total, it's no less than 13 stages to find out more about Beaune!
Visit the Hospices de Beaune
Probably one of the most emblematic monuments of the city and an essential visit to do in Beaune. The Hospices de Beaune, or Hôtel Dieu, are located in the heart of Beaune, in the historic center. This huge building was once a hospital for the poor. You have to go inside the courtyard to discover all its richness. Indeed, the courtyard is one of the most famous symbols of Burgundy with its glazed tiles and its Gothic style with Flemish influences.
The guided tour is really interesting. We have devoted a specific article to this place and our visit, so that you can learn more about the history of the Hospices de Beaune and their roles over the years, but also so that you can organize your future visit with some practical advice.
Attend the Hospices de Beaune Wine Auction
The Hôtel Dieu has received, and still receives, many donations in thanks. Some of these donations are vineyard plots. In total, the Hôtel Dieu owns around 60 ha of vines. Every year, the Hôtel Dieu organizes the biggest charity sale in the world: the Hospices de Beaune Wine Auction. It is held every third weekend of November and it is an opportunity for the city to welcome great celebrities to sponsor and chair this exceptional event.
The proceeds from this huge auction go to the Hôtel-Dieu to partly finance its operation, but also to charities represented by personalities.
If you want to attend this major event, go to the Halle de Beaune, just opposite the Hospices. Also remember to book your place on the official website of the Hospices de Beaune wine estate.
Participate in the International Crime Film Festival
To continue on the important events that take place in Beaune throughout the year, I would like to tell you about the International Crime Film Festival.
Every year, many film personalities come to this festival which has already had more than 10 editions. The particularity lies in the fact that the festival has 2 juries: one made up of members of the film industry; the other, of policemen. Different prizes are awarded.
Moreover, still in the middle of the big screen, the famous filmmaker, Claude Lelouche, created his film school in the city of Beaune. An important place in French cinema!
Enter the Collegiate Basilica of Notre-Dame
Let's now change register and head for the Collegiate Basilica of Notre-Dame. This magnificent Romanesque building is impressive both from the outside and inside. It is located in a square which you can walk around in order to become fully aware of this monument.
This basilica was within the first fortifications of the city. It dates from the XNUMXth century.
Walk around the ramparts
We have just spoken about it quickly, indeed, Beaune is surrounded by ramparts. The first date back to the XNUMXth century. But it was in the XNUMXth century, the same period as the construction of the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame, that Beaune took on a layout almost identical to what we can see today.
You can go around the ramparts by following the various tourist places to see or visit.
Among the most emblematic, you will find the Tour des Dames, the Square des Lions and the Château de Beaune.
You can opt for a guided tour of all these places or follow each of the important points detailed on the Les Amis des Remparts de Beaune website.
Taste a great Burgundy wine
As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, Beaune is the capital of Burgundy wines. It is therefore almost obligatory to taste a delicious Burgundy during your visit to the city.
For this, you will be spoiled for choice because the wine houses are present in number in the region! The biggest names are in and around Beaune.
Among the best known in the region, I recommend Maison Bouchard Aîné & Fils, Maison Champy and Patriarch Père & Fils. In addition to allowing you to introduce your palate to exceptional flavors, you can also take the opportunity to restock your cellar, but above all, discover absolutely magnificent places in the heart of Beaune. Some cellars are located in old houses renovated to perfection, full of charm.
Visit the Burgundy Climats House
The Climats of the Burgundy vineyard have recently been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an important event in the region!
What are the Burgundy Climats?The Climats of the Burgundy vineyard are quite simply the plots of vines on which Burgundy wines are produced. Each Climat is defined in a very precise way by: a geographical delimitation called a parcel, a variety of grape called a grape and know-how and expertise of the owners, from the cultivation to the aging of the wine through the precious harvest. Learn more
It is these Climats that have made the greatest Burgundy wines famous throughout the world. It is a real pride but also a deep recognition towards all the work and the know-how of each of the winegrowers owning a classified plot.
The Maison des Climats de Bourgogne explains all this to you in a fun and informative way thanks to very well thought-out digital tools. You will thus be able to better understand and get to know these different Climats, the many appellations, but also the thousands of years it took to create these plots with very specific geological properties.
Below, a photo of the plot of the most expensive wine in the world: Romanée-Conti.
Discover Beaune by night
Paths of Lights are an original way to showcase local heritage. At certain very specific times of the year, you can follow these Paths of Lights and discover the main monuments of the city under magnificent lighting! The sites to see in Beaune on these Light Trails are:
- The Porte Marie de Bourgogne;
- The Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame;
- The Belfry ;
- The Saint-Etienne Chapel;
- The Hospices de Beaune;
- The Wine Museum;
- And the Rempart des Dames.
You can also go around the ramparts and moats, or simply follow the Promenade des Remparts. The lights highlight the whole city.
The periods during which these Paths of Light are visible are:
- Every evening from June 21 until Heritage Days;
- During the International Crime Film Festival, usually at the beginning of April;
- At the time of the Hospices de Beaune Wine Auction, i.e. the 3rd weekend of November;
- And during the parade of lanterns which takes place at the end of the Festival Mômes et Merveilles (from mid-December to early January).
Taste the Fallot Mustard
We rather tend to associate mustard with the city of Dijon, but one of the biggest mustard-making houses has its shop-workshop in Beaune! Fallot mustards have been a family business for several generations.
If you want to learn more about the manufacturing processes, the different ingredients, the aromas, … I strongly invite you to visit this shop and follow one of the two tours offered by the house. You can choose between the Discovery route or the Strong Sensations route. A tasting is offered to you at the end of the visit!
Discover the museums of Beaune
Beaune is also home to some very interesting museums such as the Wine Museum and the Beaune Museum of Fine Arts. Both located in the heart of the city of Beaune, I invite you, if you have enough time, to visit these two museums.
First of all, the Wine Museum, as its name suggests, is dedicated to wine in general: its history, its culture but also the different Climats,... In addition to presenting very interesting information, this museum is located in the former Hôtel des Ducs de Bourgogne, a magnificent building that you will therefore have the opportunity to visit inside.
As for the Beaune Museum of Fine Arts, it has very fine collections of works and regularly renews its permanent exhibitions. This Fine Arts museum is also an opportunity to discover different temporary exhibitions depending on the period.
Practical advice for visiting Beaune
Now that you know all the things to do and visit in Beaune, you may have some questions about the organization of your future stay. These are the most likely questions you can ask yourself. If you see others, do not hesitate to leave a comment, we will answer them with pleasure!
- When to visit Beaune?
- How to come to Beaune?
- Where to park in Beaune?
- How long to visit Beaune?
- Where to sleep in Beaune?
When to visit Beaune?
There are several periods during which it may be wise to visit Beaune. First, as with all cities, the months from June to September offer ideal weather conditions for visiting a city, especially when the charming lanes are part of the things to do.
On the other hand, as everywhere, the summer vacation months tend to be a little busier than outside of this summer period. It will be necessary to think of reserving certain activities upstream.
It may also be interesting to go to Beaune at harvest time (end of August/beginning of September depending on the year): the atmosphere in the towns and villages of the Coast is special, the winegrowers are busy in order to be able to harvest all of their plots as long as the reason is correct. The ballet that is offered has its charm.
But one of the most beautiful seasons to visit this region is probably autumn ! The vines are adorned with flamboyant colors and the spectacle is quite striking. You can still enjoy beautiful days and take many walks in the vineyards around Beaune.
Not to mention the various events that take place throughout the year and that we mentioned in the first part. I am thinking in particular of the famous Hospices de Beaune Wine Sale or the International Crime Film Festival. There are so many ideal times to visit Beaune!
How to come to Beaune?
Several options are available to you to get to Beaune:
By car
Beaune is a city that is very easily accessible by car. Indeed, it is located near the Paris motorway and therefore makes it possible to be served by many cities located on the axis of this motorway. To give you an idea of the distances, it takes about 1h40 by road between Beaune and Lyon, or a little over 3h for Paris.
By train
If you don't want to come to Beaune by car, you can also arrive by train. Beaune has a train station located a short walk from the town centre. You will also find some direct routes from Paris or Marseille, but also many routes from Dijon or Lyon, allowing you to make a change in one of these cities if you come from a station that does not serve Beaune.
Whether from Lyon or Paris, the direct journey takes less than 3h30. Regarding the distance from Dijon, you will need between 20 and 30 minutes.
By plane
Beaune does not have an airport. The nearest airport to the city is Lyon Saint-Exupéry. You can then easily take a train or a rental car to get to Beaune, which is less than 2 hours away.
Otherwise, you always have the option of arriving in Paris and then taking a train to reach Beaune.
Where to park in Beaune?
Beaune is a small town on a human scale. You will easily find parking, whether in the city center (outside market days or summer vacation periods) or in the surrounding car parks: Place de la Madeleine, Tanneries car park, Jardin Anglais car park, etc. The choice is yours. large !
How long to visit Beaune?
To visit only the city of Beaune and its essentials, one day is enough. To give you an idea, the guided tour of the Hospices de Beaune lasts a little over an hour. This therefore leaves you time to stroll through the streets of Beaune, tour the Remparts and possibly visit a museum or plan a tasting.
On the other hand, the interest of Beaune is that it is perfectly well located to also visit the surroundings.
We will see in the next part of this article, the things to do around Beaune and you will see that a stay of several days will allow you to visit many tourist sites in the surroundings, whether related to the vine or not.
Where to sleep in Beaune?
This question is quite broad, so I decided to tune a specific article to answer it properly. We will see the neighborhoods where to stay and ideas for hotels, bed and breakfasts, …
Read the article: Where to sleep in Beaune?What to do around Beaune?
Beaune is located in a tourist region of great cultural wealth. Visiting Beaune can also be the perfect opportunity to spend a few days in Burgundy and discover the surroundings of Beaune. There are so many things to do in Burgundy that I cannot name them all. I have therefore chosen to present to you the things to do around Beaune within a radius of about 30 minutes by road.
- Visit the Château du Clos de Vougeot
- Follow the route of the Grands Crus
- Visit the Imaginarium
- Getting to Cassissium
- Discover the Veuve Ambal house
- Take a tasting at Fromagerie Gaugry
- Visit the old quarries of Villars-Fontaine
- Discover the religious heritage
- The Abbey Church of La Bussière-sur-Ouche
- The Abbey of Cîteaux
- Visit castles around Beaune
- Commarin Castle
- Coraboeuf Castle
- The Château de Couches of Marguerite de Bourgogne
Visit the Château du Clos de Vougeot
Along with the Hospices de Beaune, the Château du Clos de Vougeot is one of the most visited tourist sites in Burgundy. Renowned both for its location in the heart of the vineyards, for its wines but also for the place itself, steeped in history, the visit of Clos de Vougeot is one of the essentials.
During our visit, we opted for a guided tour in French. The latter is organized by the castle directly. This is the perfect opportunity to learn more about its history, its role, its brotherhood, its wines, … A very interesting and enriching visit explaining part of the local cultural heritage.
If you are interested in this visit, we have written a specific article on this place: visit, timetable, things to see, practical advice, etc.
Follow the route of the Grands Crus
It is impossible to talk about Beaune without introducing you to this famous route of the Grands Crus. The Burgundy Wine Route, 60 kilometers long, crosses the most renowned villages on the coast: from Dijon to Santenay via Beaune. In total, you will cross 38 world-renowned villages as well as two coasts: the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits.
Between vineyards as far as the eye can see, old villages, mansions and large wine houses, lovers of Burgundy wines and cultural heritage will have plenty to enjoy: Nuits-Saint-Georges, Aloxe-Corton, Pommard, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet , … Some areas have absolutely magnificent properties such as Pommard and Meursault which both have splendid castles.
If you want to follow the Grands Crus route, then you can easily plan one or more stops in wine estates to visit and taste. See the visits to do.
Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, consume with moderation.
Visit the Imaginarium
Located in Nuits-Saint-Georges, this museum dedicated to the Great Wines of Burgundy offers you a unique and fun experience. You will also learn more about Crémant, this famous sparkling wine that competes with Champagne. A visit would not be complete without a small tasting at the end! An unmissable stop on your visit to Burgundy.
Getting to Cassissium
Like the Imaginarium, the Cassissium is a museum dedicated to blackcurrants this time. Dijon crème de cassis is sold all over the world. So it's time to learn a little more about this little black berry that is so popular and above all, essential for making the famous Kir Royal!
Then head for Nuits-Saint-Georges once again, for a visit to the Cassissium. After this visit, blackcurrant will have no more secrets for you. You will know all its uses, all its forms, its benefits, … Cassissium belongs to the Védrenne house, manufacturer of liqueurs. You will therefore be able to observe the operation of the production plant during the visit. And as always, a delicious tasting at the end of the course!
Discover the Veuve Ambal house
Located in Montagny-lès-Beaune, this famous Crémant production house opens its doors to you for a visit. Discover thanks to a guided or audio-guided tour, the manufacturing secrets of the different crémants, but also the aging cellars or the different production workshops. An interesting visit concluded with a tasting.
Book your entry to visit the Veuve-Ambal houseTake a tasting at Fromagerie Gaugry
Renowned for its wines, but also for its cheeses, Burgundy is a dream destination for gourmets! Burgundy cheeses are among the best in France, but also among the most characterful. Lovers of strong cheeses, with a powerful and recognizable smell, take a trip to the famous Gaugry cheese dairy, in Brochon! The production site can be visited: free visit or guided visit by reservation. Epoisses, Soumaintrain, Brillat-Savarin will no longer hold any secrets for you!
Visit the old quarries of Villars-Fontaine
Here is a place quite astonishing and original. Welcome to the old quarry of Comblanchien, abandoned since 2003. Bought by the municipality of Villars-Fontaine, it is today the place of many artistic and cultural meetings, with the main objective of preserving and enhancing the cultural heritage of the region. .
One of the most popular events in this career is the Street Art On The Rock Festival.
But you can also visit it or opt for a guided tour by volunteers. Many events are organized throughout the year.
Discover the religious heritage
Besides vineyards and gastronomy, Burgundy is also a land of history and religions. Among the best-known buildings, I can of course mention the famous Abbey of Cîteaux. Dating from the end of the XNUMXth century, it is the cradle of the Cistercian Order. Today, you can join a guided tour to visit the interior and learn more about this place with its important and rich history. You can learn, for example, that the monks make the famous Cîteaux cheese here, which can be compared to Reblochon. A delight !
If these heritage visits interest you, I also advise you to go to La Bussiere-sur-Ouche. Here you will find an old Cistercian abbey, now transformed into a charming hotel whose restaurant has been awarded one star by the famous Michelin guide. This place is absolutely sensational. If you have the opportunity to spend a night or a meal there, you will necessarily fall in love with the exceptional setting and the remarkable enhancement of this place steeped in history that has spanned the centuries.
Visit castles around Beaune
In addition to these abbeys, you can also find different castles to visit in the region.
First, the Commarin Castle is a magnificent fortified castle dating from the XNUMXth century. Still inhabited, you can visit it but also enjoy its very pleasant park. The interior has retained its charm of yesteryear thanks to the period furniture which is still present.
Continue your journey towards Ivry-en-Montagne to visit the Coraboeuf Castle. Also regular, you can book a site visit to discover more about its history through the centuries.
You can also head towards Couches to visit the Castle of Marguerite of Burgundy. The latter is a fortified castle from the Middle Ages. Among other things, you can admire its keep or its Gothic chapel.
Discover Patrivia and its Heritage Pass:If you want even more historical places to visit, you can go to the Patrivia website: specializing in cultural sites in France, you will find great ideas for visits to do in Burgundy, including the castles mentioned above, but also in all of France and Belgium.
They also offer a Heritage Pass valid for 1 year, giving you free access to all the sites included in the pass during its validity. Learn more
My opinion on our visit to Beaune
Our visit to Beaune was a great discovery! The Hospices de Beaune are really an essential place to visit absolutely in Beaune. I strongly recommend that you opt for the guided tour, you will learn the history of this place and your visit will be all the more interesting. The historic center is also very charming and the surroundings, a marvel with all its vineyards! We were there at the time of the harvest and the ballet of the pickers, the trucks, … gives an authentic side to these prestigious wines.
It wasn't the first time we went to Beaune, but the fact of having taken the time to visit this city gives it an even greater charm! In short, we really enjoyed this visit but also our walks in the surrounding villages.
