The vibrant town of Beaune is a gateway to the Côte d'Or and the world-famous Burgundy winemaking region. In addition to a flourishing food and wine scene, Beaune will charm you with its beautiful medieval architecture.
Things to do in Beaune
Beaune is one of the top wine tasting destinations in France, with a variety of cellar doors in the town centre and dozens of wineries to visit in the surrounding countryside. Guided tours are an engaging way to visit the region’s top estates and learn more about the ancient art of winemaking in Burgundy. If you’re interested in viticulture, don’t miss Maison des Climats, a modern museum that charts the rich history of French wine.
Hôtel-Dieu des Hospices de Beaune was built in 1443 and will dazzle you with its soaring turrets and a dramatic Gothic façade. The former hospital is now a treasured historic site and one of the best-kept medieval buildings in France. Admire the cavernous barrel-vaulted ceilings in the Grande Salle and marvel at the tiny glass bottles in the 18th-century pharmacy.
From candlelit bistros housed in centuries-old buildings to chef-driven restaurants that combine French and Japanese cuisine, Beaune is a foodie’s paradise. Pick up farm-fresh produce at the Saturday market held in Place de la Halle. There’s also a smaller market on Wednesday mornings where you can stock up on artisan cheese, bread, chocolate and more.
Wine isn’t the only thing Beaune is famous for, with the town also producing some of the country’s best mustard. Tours take you behind the scenes of Moutarderie Fallot, a family-owned mustard factory that’s been making the condiment since 1840.
Getting around Beaune
Beaune is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. The town is a three-hour drive from Paris and two hours from Lyon. Trains run between Beaune and Paris in around two hours.