15 Best Things to Do in Beaune, France – Cafes and Getaways

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15 Best Things to Do in Beaune, France

Last Modified: December 10, 2024

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.

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.

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!

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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Hey, I’m Ally! Welcome to Cafes and Getaways. I’ll be sharing details on my latest travel destinations, as well as tips and tricks to help you plan your next adventure.

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