Weekend in Beaune
As a wine lover, you have a natural curiosity about the land from which your favorite wine originates. Quite likely it is the region of Bourgogne (Burgundy), France.
The Village of Beaune
For the majority of the year, Beaune remains a charming pedestrian village lined with wine and cheese shops, quaint restaurants, and boutiques. Yet for 163 years, the third weekend of November marks the annual Hospices de Beaune wine auction. This year the auction raised $27.4 million for local charities.
Beaune Village
While the auction is exclusive to collectors and wine industry professionals, the Hospices de Beaune wine auction marks one of the best possible weekends to visit the Beaune region of France. You will discover a festive atmosphere filled with gaiety, Burgundian folk dancing on the street, people enjoying fresh shucked oysters and good Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wine to pair with it.
Hospices de Beaune History
The Hospices de Beaune auction has a unique history that dates from 1443, when the magnificent Hotel Dieu was built to care for Beaune’s ill. In 1457, Guillemette Levernier made the first vineyard donation to the Hospices de Beaune.
The idea was that sales from the resulting wine would help finance the Hotel Dieu’s charity mission in perpetuity. When you visit Beaune, you will be able to tour the Hospices de Beaune and see a recreation of how the hospital looked during that century.
Planning Your Visit
Chablis & Barolo with Marika VidaThe Hospices de Beaune weekend is among the busiest weekends of the year, so you are encouraged to plan your visit well in advance. You will find a mix of luxury and economy hotels, mostly within walking distance of the city center.
As you walk through Beaune’s cobblestone streets, you will find restaurants and wine bars offering many of Beaune’s most delicious wines right there, on an upturned barrel in front of a cozy bonfire. Indulging in this signature Hospices de Beaune offering is a great way to taste the wines of the region, and meet new friends who share that same upturned barrel with you.
Finding Wine Events
Sommelier in Your HomeYou can find additional activities by contacting the Beaune Tourism office, who will be able to suggest events such as the Bouchard Aîné & Fils wine tasting. For a small fee, visitors receive a wine glass and are invited to descend into the historic cellars of this winery.
In the cellar, enthusiastic hosts will pour you sips of their wines as you make your way through the ancient cellar. They will explain the terroir of the various Bouchard Aîné & Fils plots and the vinification of the wine.
Restaurants in Beaune
Beaune is home to some of the best restaurants in France. They range from casual bistros to Michelin-rated restaurants. As Beaune is a key wine production area, many restaurants pride themselves on their wine list.
Some restaurants, like Ma Cuisine, specialize in wine so you can find the best producers, the best Grand cru wines, and the best vintages.
Despite the jewels of fine wine on many restaurant lists, you can almost always find an affordable Bourgogne Blanc or Rouge from a good producer on the wine menu.
Two popular restaurants are listed below. Reservations are required.
+33 3 80 22 30 22
Ma Cuisine is a casual bistro. It is typically filled with guests in the wine trade.
Located in a cave, the cuisine is excellent, as is the service.
Hotels
Beaune offers a wide variety of hotels to fit every price point.
Unless you need a car to visit the wineries, your best bet is to book a hotel in the center of this small village as Beaune is a pedestrian friendly area.
Book early, as hotels can fill up fast, especially during the auction weekend.
This is a 5-star hotel with attentive service and a world-class breakfast buffet.
Basilica Notre Dame in Beaune – Burgundy, France
Final Thoughts
