This calm French town in Burgundy has a 15th-century hospital turned museum with painted tile ceilings. Local wine shops and bistros line its medieval stone streets.
Beaune, a small town in eastern France's Burgundy region, sits at the heart of French wine culture. In its medieval center, you'll find the 15th-century Hospices de Beaune with its distinctive colored tiles, walk through 5km of wine cellars beneath the streets, and browse the busy Saturday market. The town's ancient ramparts and wine-making traditions earned it UNESCO recognition for its wine culture.
Exploring Beaune's Wine Cellars
The underground wine cellars of Beaune extend for 5 kilometers beneath the town's streets, starting from the Visitandines Convent. The temperature stays between 13-15°C year-round, creating ideal conditions for aging wine. Take a guided tour to learn wine-making methods, see bottles dating back to the 19th century, and taste different Burgundy wines. The Roman-era cellars contain stone walls with carvings depicting wine production methods from different periods.
The Hospices de Beaune
Built in 1443, the Hospices de Beaune remains active in the local wine industry. Its signature roof displays geometric patterns in glazed tiles of red, yellow, green, and black. Walk through the original hospital wards to see the medieval pharmacy and kitchen where staff once prepared meals for 100 patients daily. Each November, the building hosts France's main wine auction, selling wines from the Hospices' own vineyards.
Cycling Through the CĂ´te de Beaune
You can cycle 21 miles of trails through the surrounding vineyards and villages. Take the 13.6-mile route from Beaune to Santenay, which passes the Corton, Meursault, and Pommard vineyards. You'll see stone walls marking vineyard boundaries and 16th-century wine presses in village squares. Cycle in spring or autumn when temperatures range from 15-20°C, and watch grape harvesting in September and October.
Local Food Culture and Markets
The Saturday market spreads across Place de la Halle and Place Carnot with more than 100 vendors. Buy Bresse chickens (labeled AOC), aged Jura cheeses, black truffles (November to March), and seasonal vegetables. Try traditional dishes like Boeuf Bourguignon and Coq au Vin in local restaurants. Visit the Fallot Mustard Mill to watch traditional stone-grinding methods and taste different mustard varieties.
Medieval Town Walls and Architecture
Walk the 1.5-mile circuit along the remaining half of Beaune's defensive walls, complete with battlements and a water-filled moat. The walls give you clear views of both the medieval center and the surrounding vineyards. The 12th-century Notre Dame Basilica contains tapestries from the 15th century and a collection of medieval manuscripts. In the town center, look for the timber-framed Les Halles market building and the 14th-century Beffroi clock tower with its original mechanical bells.
