Last updated on August 21st, 2023
Sitting in the heart of Burgundy is the historic city of Beaune. Known as the region’s wine capital, thousands of visitors come to Beaune each year to indulge in everything wine-related.
Beaune is also where the prestigious wine auction is hosted each year, drawing some of the wealthiest people to the area to purchase barrels of the region’s wine.
In addition to the world-class wines produced in the area, you will also find some historic sites, charming half-timbered buildings, and top-notch restaurants.
This guide covers all the best things to do in Beaune. I’ve also included some of the best places to stay, day trip ideas, and important travel tips.
Table of Contents
- 1 History of Beaune
- 2 Top Things to Do in Beaune
- 2.1 Explore Old Beaune
- 2.2 Visit the Hospices de Beaune
- 2.3 Attend the Annual Beaune Wine Auction
- 2.4 Bike the Véloroute
- 2.5 Visit the Wine Museum
- 2.6 Step into Notre-Dame de Beaune
- 2.7 Experience a Cellar Tour with Tasting
- 2.8 Explore Burgundy by Guided Tour
- 2.9 Attend Wine Tastings at a Château
- 2.10 Stop by Le Musée des Beaux Arts de Beaune
- 2.11 Relax at a Wine Bar
- 2.12 Have Lunch at Parc de la Bouzaize
- 2.13 Go Shopping at the Saturday Market
- 2.14 Walk by La Maison du Colombier
- 2.15 Dine on the Local Cuisine
- 2.16 Drive to Châteauneuf-en-Auxois
- 2.17 Château de Savigny
- 2.18 Visit the City of Dijon
- 3 How to Get to Beaune
- 4 Where to Stay in Beaune
- 5 Conclusion
- 6 Pin it for Later
History of Beaune
Located just under two hours North of the large city of Lyon, Beaune is a small, historic place surrounded by lush vines and rolling hillsides. Much of the town has remained relatively unchanged, with cobblestone streets, old ramparts, and restored buildings.
The city dates back to the 3rd century when the Romans first inhabited it. You can still see remnants of the Roman fortifications around the city. In the early 14th century, the first Burgundian Parliament was established, and the dukes of Burgundy began residing in the town.
The history of the region dates back much further, though. It is believed that the Celts, who lived in the region as far back as 50 BC, were the first to produce Burgundy wine. Once the Romans conquered the area, they continued with the winemaking.
However, the Cistercian monks are to thank for the wine we know today. They began cultivating the rocky slopes and kept detailed records of the soil and characteristics of the wine. They also created the first enclosed vineyard in 1336, Clos de Vougeot, and grew many more plots around Burgundy. These same plots are so old and vital that they are on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.
Now, the city revolves around wine tourism and has become one of the top destinations for wine lovers. People travel from around to experience the world-renowned wines produced in the area. Burgundy is known mainly for its red wines, but the region also produces white.
Red Burgundy is made with the pinot noir grape, and white Burgundy with chardonnay. What makes this type of wine so spectacular is the land it is grown on. The wines are divided into four different classifications based on quality, with Grand Crus being the best of the best. In total, Grand Crus made up only 1% of the total wines produced in Burgundy.
Top Things to Do in Beaune
Explore Old Beaune
Beaune was originally a fortified city with around 2.5 walls encircling it. The oldest section of the ramparts was built in the 12th century. Many of these original walls have been renovated into homes, shops, and headquarters for wine merchants.
You will spend most of your time in the city within these walls. Some of the best places to see the ramparts include the Chȃteau de Beaune. The royal fortress with built in the 15th century by King Lous XI but now belongs to the wine producer Bouchard Père et Fils.
The extensive cellars are perfect for storing the producer’s wines and have over 2,000 bottles from the 19th century alone. If you do not schedule a cellar tour, you can still see the chȃteau from the outside.
The original ramparts are also great places to see Square des Lions and La Porte Saine Nicolas. La Porte Saint Nicolas is the only remaining gate to the city and another part of the original ramparts. If you enter from the north entrance, you will drive through it!
Visit the Hospices de Beaune
The Hospices of Beaune come to many people’s minds when they think of Beaune. Also known as Hôtel Dieu, the building is easily identified by its glazed tile-patterned roof. The Hospices of Beaune were founded in 1443 by Chancellor Nicolas Rolin to care for the sick and remained in use until 1982.
The buildings are adorned with beautiful columns and gabled dormers constructed around a large central courtyard. The exterior of the Hôtel Dieu is stunning and one of the top things to see in Beaune.
The Hospices de Beaune are also known for their wines. The first vineyards were given to the hospital by Guillemete Levenier in 1457. Since then, the wine estate has grown to over 60 hectares of donated vines.
Now, they are open to visitors as a museum that gives an interactive tour of the buildings and a look into the history of Beaune. The hospices are open daily from 9:00 am – 7:30 pm and offer guided and self-guided tours.
A self-guided tour includes an audioguide and access to the rooms on the ground floor for just €12 per adult. Guided tours are also available at 10:30 am, 2:30 pm, or 4:00 pm for €12 per adult.
Attend the Annual Beaune Wine Auction
Each year on the 3rd weekend in November, Beaune hosts a large charity wine auction at the Hospices de Beaune. It is the most famous wine auction in the world, selling some of the most expensive wine you can find. This event has been taking place since the 15th century to showcase the region’s wine, with all the proceeds going towards a good cause.
Even if you cannot buy a barrel yourself, it is one of the best times of year to visit Beaune. The weekend will be filled with parades, street shows, and specialty tastings. And so popular that you must book your hotel almost a year in advance to get a room.
Bike the Véloroute
You can also bike on your own. There are over 35km of bike paths all throughout Burgundy. The Véloroute spans 22km of small roads and vineyards paths throughout the picturesque countryside.
What better way to experience the vineyards than by a leisurely bike through the small villages and rolling vines scattered throughout Burgundy? Two of the best rental companies are Bourgogne Randonnées and Bourgogne Evasion. Bikes start for as little as €19 a day, with electric bikes costing €39 for adults.
If you’d rather explore with the help of a knowledge guide, Bourgogne Evasion also offers guided tours. You can choose from a half-day to a multi-day experience that will take you to some of the most beautiful locations and top wineries.
This Wine and Bicycle Tour from Beaune tour takes you to several local vineyards for wine tastings. You will also enjoy lunch in the town of Beaune while experiencing the beautiful Burgundy countryside up close.
Visit the Wine Museum
If you’re interested in learning more about wine, stop by the Wine Museum of Burgundy. Located in a former Dukes of Burgundy mansion, the museum is an excellent place to examine the region’s wine history.
The building, known as the Hôtel des Ducs de Bourgogne, is only 5 per person to visit. The exhibits are an exciting way to learn about the process, especially seeing how it has evolved over the last few centuries. You can freely explore the beautifully decorated rooms while learning about the history of French winemaking in Burgundy.
The museum is open every day except Tuesday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. They also host a handful of free access days throughout the year. Check out their website for up-to-date events and online ticket purchases.
Step into Notre-Dame de Beaune
The beautiful Romanesque cathedral is located close to the city center on Rue d’Enfer. The 13th-century church is one of the one remaining Roman buildings in Burgundy. The cathedral was later given some Gothic additions and a beautiful Renaissance bell tower.
Inside you will find a collection of exquisite 15th-century tapestries and a cozy cloister that leads out into a narrow sideroad. You can visit the church for free. However, it is a small fee if you’d like to see the tapestries.
Experience a Cellar Tour with Tasting
One of the best things to do in Beaune is visit the wineries for a tasting. Most wine producers have headquarters inside the city where you can attend a tasting in a cozy room or, better yet, underground in a wine cave.
My personal favorite cellar tour was at Joseph Drouhin. Their headquarters are located next to Notre Dame de Beaune, and they own the city’s oldest cellars. These cellars date back to at least the 13th century and were used by the monks of Burgundy, the Dukes of Burgundy, and even Kings to store their wine. What better place than this to have some wine?
The main guided tour lasts 90 minutes and costs €45 per person with groups of up to 8 people. It starts with a tour of the original wine press in one of the above-ground rooms. The wine press dates back to 1571 when it was the primary tool used to press grapes for wine. Today, it is still used to produce special batches of anniversary wines.
From there, you will continue down a winding staircase to the cellars, learning about the different varieties and some fun facts about the wines housed there. As you walk through the cellars, your tour guide will highlight some historic parts for you. One of the most remarkable is the 2000-year-old Roman foundation that makes up one of the cellar’s walls.
After the cellar tour comes the anticipated tasting of three white and three red wines, your guide will walk you through each of the wines, explaining where they come from and discussing their tasting notes. From there, you will step back into the wine shop, where you will likely stock up on some wines.
READ MORE: Best Burgundy Wine Tasting & Tours in Beaune
Explore Burgundy by Guided Tour
I recommend a wine tour if you’d like to visit several destinations but don’t want to drive. Your guides will take you throughout the countryside to different vineyards, letting you relax and enjoy the wine. These are just a few great Burgundy Wine Tours to try.
Experience some of the best burgundy wines in this Full-Day Grand Cru Tasting from Beaune. Tour some of the most renowned vineyards, such as Romanée-Conti and Clos Vougeot, while learning about the different appellations and tasking some of the best burgundy wines.
Want a more personal wine-tasting experience? This Private Tour from Beaune features wine tastings at several top Burgundy vineyards, a knowledgeable guide, and free pick-up and drop-off at your hotel.
Attend Wine Tastings at a Château
Another of my favorite wine tastings was at Château de Pommard. In contrast to Joseph Drouhin, this tasting takes place at the wine producer’s mansion, located in Pommard, about 15 minutes away from Beaune.
The tour takes place in a large, spacious room overlooking Pommard’s vines with your own personal wine expert. Not only did they do a great job of explaining the concept of the terroir, but the entire experience was well thought out and felt very high-end.
Château de Pommard has Burgundy’s largest privately-owned clos (walled vineyard). They are known for using old winemaking techniques, which include hand-harvesting grapes and using horses to plow the soil. Their winemaking process is more labor intensive but ensures higher quality.
We attended the Clos Marey-Monge Tasting with our personal wine expert. He did a fantastic job describing how wines are classified in Burgundy, making it very easy to understand the different climates and varieties of wines produced in the region. We then had the chance to taste six different wines, all while peering out at Château de Pommard’s vineyard.
If you want a laidback wine-tasting experience in a private setting, I highly recommend visiting Château de Pommard. We loved that we could have a tasting on our own, and the location was stunning.
Stop by Le Musée des Beaux Arts de Beaune
Most people think of wine-related activities when visiting Beaune, but the city also has a beautiful art collection. The museum is housed in yet another fabulous palace of the Dukes of Burgundy.
In addition to items, the exhibits highlight twenty historical figures connected to Beaune. Le Musée des Beaux-Arts de Beaune has an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, and antiques.
Relax at a Wine Bar
In addition to the wine caves, Beaune has many cozy wine bars. We really liked le Bout du Monde. It has an indoor lounge area and an outdoor courtyard near the back of the wine bar.
They have an extensive wine menu and some delicious charcuterie and small bites. You can choose from a selection of over 2,500 wines with help from a skilled sommelier.
Have Lunch at Parc de la Bouzaize
After walking around Beaune all morning, take a break at the Park de la Bouziase. The park is a popular place for families to come as there is a petting zoo with several types of animals. The park also has a large pond and plenty of shaded green areas to relax. It is the perfect place for a picnic or leisurely stroll in Beaune.
Go Shopping at the Saturday Market
Like many French towns, Beaune has a bustling market one day a week. Theirs is on Saturdays and hosts hundreds of vendors selling various goods. You can find anything from locally grown vegetables to sweet treats.
The market is open from 7:00 am – 1:00 pm every Saturday with over 150 vendors. For the freshest produce, make sure to visit earlier in the day! Since the market takes up a large part of Old Beaune, you will want to park closer to the edge of the historic part of town.
Walk by La Maison du Colombier
One of the prettiest squares in Beaune is located between La Maison du Columbier and the Notre-Dame de Beaune Cathedral. Here you will find the old 16th-century building, once home to a wealthy wine merchant.
Known for its turret, La Maison du Colombier, also referred to as the Dove House is one of the prettiest buildings in Old Town Beaune. The historic building has been converted into five beautiful apartments and a cozy gastro bar on the main floor.
Dine on the Local Cuisine
Beaune has a vast number of top-rated restaurants, including 10 Michelin stars. The food scene is so hot here that you must make reservations about eating in most places. Some of the best restaurants in Beaune include Le Cheval Noir and Biz’tro.
The region is known for food that is equally impressive as the wine. Some of the specialites inclue escargot, coq au vin, and boeuf bourguignon. While in Burgundy, I recommend trying the local époisses cheese, known for its orange color and strong taste.
Drive to Châteauneuf-en-Auxois
During our stay in Burgundy, we stayed at a château about 20 minutes outside of Beaune. From the château, we could see this stunning hilltop village in the distance.
On our last day in Burgundy, we decided to check it out, and we are so glad we did. The town of Châteauneuf-en-Auxois is one of the most picturesque ones we’ve seen in France.
The village is dominated by a large castle which was given to a man by the name of Phillippe le Bon. Besides a castle tour, you will want to explore the little streets and old historic buildings. There are many with plaques detailing the history of its inhabitants. Trust me, you will want a camera!
Château de Savigny
Château de Savigny has a unique set of items on exhibit that many would not accept at first glance. Instead of historical relics and paintings, you will find an arsenal of cars, planes, and motorcycles. Over 250 motorcycles, 80 fighter jets, and more than 20 cars are displayed throughout the castle’s interior and extensive grounds.
The château itself is quite the work of art. The original structure was built in 1340 but dismantled a little more than 200 years later as a punishment by Louis XI. Later, it was bought by the Bouhier family, who restored the entire estate before passing it on to several other wealthy owners. Finally, the property was purchased in 1972 and turned into a working vineyard, events venue, and museum.
Visit the City of Dijon
Dijon is a bustling city located about 40 minutes North of Beaune. Known for the production of the famous Dijon mustard, there is much to see here that you could spend more than just a day exploring.
The best thing to do in Dijon is to follow the Owl’s Trail. All the important and historic attractions in the old part of the city are marked with an owl motif. Another place to visit is the Ducal Palace. Dijon is where many of the Dukes of Burgundy lived and ruled from.
How to Get to Beaune
The easiest way to get to Beaune is by renting a car. The town is located only a few miles from a major highway, making it simple to find. And since Beaune is only three hours from Paris, it is a popular weekend getaway.
Driving in Burgundy is one of the most scenic ways to get around. And while driving past some of the most expensive vineyards in the world, you can stop and admire the views. Car rentals are plentiful at any of the major cities and airports you are coming from, and there is a fair amount of parking throughout Beaune.
If you stay in larger cities like Dijon or Lyon, getting to Beaune by train is possible. The high-speed TGV trains can get you there quickly and for little money. Trains are a great choice if you want to visit Beaune for just the day and don’t have access to a car.
Once in Beaune, the Old Town is easily walkable, with plenty of parking places. You can find several free parking lots throughout the city center and paid street parking.
Where to Stay in Beaune
L’Hotel de Beaune
There is no doubt that L’Hotel de Beaune is one of the most beautiful hotels in the city. The wine merchant Jadot family once owned the 19th-century house. The house was purchased and renovated into a 5-star hotel, followed by the neighboring Monastery that was later acquired to expand the residence.
Guests can stroll through the ancient cloisters while still enjoying the modern amenities of their luxury suites. Not to mention a choice of over 2,500 wines from the hotel’s cellars at any onsite restaurant.
Luxury Hotel | Check Rates
Abbaye de Maizieres
It is only fitting to stay in a 12th-century Abbaye when visiting such a historic town. The beautiful Abbaye de Maizieres was converted from an abbey into a boutique hotel, offering all the old charm and modern amenities.
From vaulted ceilings, ancient stone walls, Cistercian stained glass windows, and winding staircases, there is no better unique place to stay than here. The indoor pool is even located underground in a former monk’s winery. Abbaye de Maizieres is, without a doubt, one of the top places to stay in Beaune.
Mid-Range Hotel | Check Rates
Conclusion
For those who love wine, there is no question that Burgundy is one of the top wine regions in France. If you’re looking for the best place to sample and learn about these world-renown wines, you will want to stay in Beaune.
The charming city is in the middle of the region and is home to dozens of winemakers whose storefronts are within walking distance of the city center.
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- Rental Car: Discover Cars is my go-to site when booking rentals. They work with hundreds of companies worldwide to help you find the best car for your needs and budget.
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Check out the resource page for additional travel planning resources.
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