Current Time in Beaune, France

Beaune is a historic city in the Côte-d'Or department of eastern France, situated in the heart of the Burgundy wine region approximately 45 kilometers south of Dijon. Often called the wine capital of Burgundy, Beaune is surrounded by some of the world's most celebrated vineyards, including the Corton-Charlemagne, Meursault, and Pommard appellations, and is home to the headquarters of many of Burgundy's most distinguished wine merchants and négociants. The city's compact and beautifully preserved medieval center, dominated by the extraordinary Hotel-Dieu charity hospital, makes it one of the most attractive small cities in France.

With a population of approximately 22,000, Beaune is a small city whose cultural and economic importance is disproportionate to its size. The wine trade that has centered on Beaune for centuries has generated wealth that is visible in the city's fine architecture, excellent restaurants, and the outstanding wine museum and tasting opportunities that draw hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The city is the location of the famous Hospices de Beaune wine auction, held annually on the third Sunday of November and considered the world's most prestigious charity wine auction.

The history of Beaune as a wine-trading center extends back to the medieval period, when Burgundy's dukes recognized the extraordinary quality of the wines produced on the slopes east and south of the city. The Dukes of Burgundy maintained their summer residence in Beaune, and the city was the principal seat of their duchy for much of the medieval period. The founding of the Hospices de Beaune in 1443 by the Chancellor Nicolas Rolin and his wife Guigone de Salins was a landmark act of philanthropy that created both a functioning charity hospital and one of the most beautiful Gothic buildings in Burgundy.

The Hôtel-Dieu of Beaune, also known as the Hospices de Beaune, is an extraordinary example of Flemish-Burgundian Gothic architecture, with its magnificent polychrome glazed tile roof, decorated with geometric patterns in burgundy, black, yellow, and brown, creating one of the most memorable and photographed facades in France. Built as a hospital for the poor, the complex includes the grand ward, or Chambre des Pauvres, an extraordinary space with an original 15th-century polychrome roof, and the Salle Saint-Hugues. The museum within the Hospices displays the magnificent Last Judgment altarpiece painted by Roger van der Weyden around 1445, considered one of the masterpieces of Early Netherlandish painting.

The city's medieval ramparts, punctuated by towers and a moat now planted with gardens, encircle the historic center. The underground wine cellars, or caves, belonging to various Beaune négociants extend for kilometers beneath the city streets, storing vast quantities of aging Burgundy wines. Most of the major houses offer tasting experiences and cellar tours. The Marché aux Vins in the former Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame is one of the most atmospheric wine-tasting venues in Burgundy.

Beaune is accessible by TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon in approximately two hours. The surrounding Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune vineyards are best explored by bicycle or car along the famous Route des Grands Crus. The city's extraordinary Hospices, world-class wine culture, excellent restaurants, and beautifully preserved medieval architecture make Beaune an essential destination for anyone passionate about French culture, history, or wine.