Today, I’d like to share a short city guide for the town of Beaune, in Burgundy. I have had the opportunity to spend several stays and getaways in Beaune and its surroundings (notably in 2019 for the Fête de la Musique), specifically to explore the Burgundy wines, and I have actually already created a short oenotourism guide for Burgundy on the blog. Beaune is often considered the capital of Burgundy wines.
Table of Contents
What to see and do in Beaune?
The city of Beaune can be easily navigated and explored from one end to the other on foot. Staying with the wine theme, I highly recommend visiting the Burgundy Wine Museum, which is housed in a magnificent historic building: the Hôtel des Ducs de Bourgogne. The museum is dedicated to the history of viticulture and winemaking, as well as the people who shape the Burgundy terroir. Next time, we must take the time to visit the Hospices, as we haven’t seen them yet…
_
Take an oenology course at the Ecole des Vins de Bourgogne
To better understand the complexity of Burgundy wines, the best solution is still to learn the specifics with a professional. This school, which has been in existence since 1974, allows you to familiarize yourself with this exciting world and gain some very useful points of reference. Throughout the year, they organize tastings, courses, discovery stays, workshops, themed training, and more. On the agenda are a dozen different formulas ranging from 2 hours to 5 days.
Even though I already knew quite a bit about wine (and a little about Burgundy as well), I must admit that these courses were essential for truly appreciating and understanding everything we saw and tasted afterward. If you are coming to the region and want to understand the peculiarities of this vineyard a bit more, it is truly an essential stop for your stay! Without it, you risk missing out on the magic of these products and their typical characteristics.
Ecole des Vins de Bourgogne
6 rue du 16ème Chasseurs, 21200 BeauneParking available
_
Visit the Maison des Climats
Located right next to the tourist office, this site offers a tour dedicated to discovering the wines and “Climats” of Burgundy. It is a perfect introduction if you want to learn a little more about the specifics of the Burgundy vineyard. You are immersed in the millennial history of the Burgundy vineyard, and the tour allows you to familiarize yourself with the unique term “Climats,” those famous parcels of vines that have been named and precisely demarcated for centuries, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2015. The site, open since July 2017, also features an augmented reality experience and a digital media library, both accessible via 10 tablets available for free use.
The tip: it is completely free!!!
Maison des Climats
Porte Marie de Bourgogne, 6 Boulevard Perpreuil 21200 Beaune
Free admission
Open from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM to 6:00 PM (hours may change seasonally)
_
Enjoy a grape treatment at the Spa Marie de Bourgogne
This beautiful spa is located in the heart of Beaune, behind the Le Cep hotel, which you must pass through to reach this establishment dedicated to well-being. I imagine that at this point in my story, you are wondering about the link between this spa and our wine theme… Well, know that the Spa Marie de Bourgogne offers grape-based treatments to remind us of the deep bonds that unite the Spa and the vines. During these two hours at the Spa Marie de Bourgogne, I was able to enjoy a moment of relaxation in this intoxicating bacchic world.
In particular, I enjoyed the benefits of grape-based products, receiving a Pinot Noir “Richebourg Grand Cru” scrub, followed by a revitalizing and anti-aging grape body wrap. These treatments are performed using the Burgundian product range Vinésime. The grape wrap part was quite funny because, as you can see in the photos below, I was completely purple! But clearly, my skin was much softer after these two treatments.
Spa Marie de Bourgogne
27 rue Maufoux, 21200 Beaune
_
Visit the Moutarderie Fallot in Beaune
This house has existed for several generations (it was Edmond Fallot who created the company in 1840), and it is the last independent and family-run mustard factory. It uses artisanal and traditional know-how, as the seeds are still crushed using a stone mill. The manufacturing site for this mustard is located in Beaune and has also offered a museum space since 2003 with an interactive tour to discover the traditions and history of mustard. In addition to this, you can also visit the actual production site (you will experience that the fumes of mustard smell very, very strong and sting the eyes).
When leaving the visit, I advise you to stop by the shop to discover the Mustard Bar, which allows you to taste a wide variety of Fallot products. And, of course, if you want to bring back a gift, you will definitely find what you are looking for.
Good to know: the name “Moutarde de Dijon” is not necessarily produced in Dijon or even in the region (indeed, Burgundy has lost the geographical exclusivity of the manufacturing of this designation); however, “Moutarde de Bourgogne” is a PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) and is therefore necessarily produced in Burgundy and with Burgundy products!
The extra touch: still in relation to Burgundy Wines, there is a variety of Fallot mustards made with Pinot Noir, White Wine, Chablis, and Burgundy Crémant…
Moutarderie Fallot
31 Rue du Faubourg Bretonnière, 21200 Beaune
Check the website for tour times
Prices: Each tour is €10 for adults and €8 for children from 10 to 18 years old (each tour, the museum space, and the production site are independent)
My food recommendations in Beaune
As usual, I suggest several good gourmet addresses in Beaune, addresses that we tested during our various stays in the city. Regarding the restaurants, I mainly suggest addresses where you can enjoy local wines in perfect harmony with the food.
_
Restaurant La Dilettante
This place is multi-faceted, serving as a wine bar, delicatessen, and wine shop; it also offers simple (but prepared with excellent local and seasonal products) meals to be eaten on-site, which can be paired with the wines sold in the shop. Regarding regional culinary specialties, I advise you to try at least once during your stay: the Burgundy parsley ham (see photo below). Once again, we really loved the atmosphere of the place, the friendly vibe, and the expert advice from the sommelier of this essential address if you are visiting Beaune.
La Dilettante
11 Rue du Faubourg Bretonnière 21200 Beaune
Price for snack plates: between €5 and €16
Price for wines by the glass: between €4 and €11
_
Restaurant Ecrit’ Vin
In the kitchen, chef Etienne Wolff cooks the great French and Burgundian classics: “oeufs meurette” in red or white sauce, escargots in the shell, fresh frog legs, beef bourguignon, Charolais beef filet… For a good deal, opt for the Bistrot menu (€21) and the specials of the day, otherwise the Bourguignon menu (€29) honors local terroir, and the Ecrit’Vin menu (€39) is composed of house specialties. A very pleasant address that also offers a beautiful selection of Burgundy wines.
The little extra: the pleasant terrace protected from the sun right in front of the restaurant.
Tested in 2020
Restaurant Ecrit’ Vin
8 place Carnot, 21200 Beaune
The tip: the bistrot menu served only at lunch on weekdays with starter + main course + dessert of the day for €21
Wine by the glass: between €7 and €15 per glass
_
Restaurant Les Caves Madeleine
A very nice address in Beaune that I highly recommend, offering market-fresh cuisine highlighting local products, all within a wine cellar setting. We liked the super friendly and relaxed atmosphere of the place and the general good humor that reigned there when we went to have dinner. Besides, I won’t hide from you that we feasted and we even left this meal feeling very, very (very) happy….
Restaurant Les Caves Madeleine
8 Rue du Faubourg Madeleine 21200 Beaune
Price: between €11 and €19 for starters; between €23 and €25 for main courses; desserts €9 (a la carte)
_
Restaurant Le Conty
At Le Conty, chef Laurent Parra offers local cuisine in his restaurant / wine bar located in the heart of Beaune. On the terrace, next to Place Ziem, we enjoyed this evening to the rhythm of the Fête de la Musique while listening to the concerts scheduled for the occasion.
Must try: the Époisses cheese aged with Marc de Bourgogne; the risottos which are one of the house specialties.
Restaurant Le Conty
5 rue Félix Ziem, 21200 BeaunePrice: market menu with starter + main + dessert at €28.50
Where to stay in Beaune?
As usual, I suggest several good addresses for where to stay in Beaune, addresses that we have tested during our various stays in Beaune.
_
Hostellerie de Bretonnière
This charming 3-star hotel located in Beaune has suites over 2 floors behind its main building, overlooking the hotel’s quiet interior garden, which we found very pleasant. The suite rooms are not very modern or designer, but they are comfortable, and it is very practical for a short, quiet stay in Beaune.
The little extra: the very nice terrace for having breakfast in the sun during the nice season!
Hostellerie de Bretonnière
43 Faubourg Bretonnière 21200 Beaune
_
La Maison des Courtines
This address offers luxury apartments in the heart of an 18th-century private mansion, ideally located right in the center of Beaune. Our small studio under the roof was absolutely charming, and I really appreciated the presence of an equipped kitchen in the apartment, which allows for quite a bit of independence and the possibility of having meals and/or breakfast on-site. Alternatively, you can also have a delicious breakfast basket delivered to your door (€10/person) with good local products.
La Maison des Courtines 40, rue Eugène Spuller 21200 Beaune Studio prices: between €150 and €160 per night (-15% from 3 nights on)
La Maison des Courtines
40, rue Eugène Spuller 21200 Beaune
Studio prices: between €150 and €160 per night (-15% from 3 nights on)
_
Where to stay in Beaune with winemakers? B&B Les Jardins de Loïs
This beautiful B&B is ideally located on the ring road side, but it remains very quiet. The owners, Anne-Marie and Philippe Dufouleur, really take great care of their guests, which is particularly pleasant. During our stay in Burgundy, we stayed specifically in the Clos des Perrières suite, which you can discover in the photos below.
Regarding breakfast, the products are excellent, and I must admit that we ate the best (well-buttered) croissants I’ve had the opportunity to taste in many years! Apparently, they come from a very good bakery in Beaune. And a special mention for the homemade smoked salmon!
At Les Jardins de Loïs, the owners of the B&B are also winemakers who own the Domaine Loïs Dufouleur. If you are interested, Philippe will be happy to give you a tour of his cellar and speak with love about his wine! This small visit obviously ends with a tasting of his production. Among the 5 hectares farmed by Domaine Loïs Dufouleur, no fewer than 14 appellations are present in the range of wines including: Beaune Premier Cru Clos des Perrières, Beaune Premier Cru le Clos du Roy, Beaune Premier Cru les Cent-Vignes, Savigny-lès-Beaune…
The good point: Les Jardins de Loïs has a closed parking lot where you can park your car, which is very practical because it is not very easy to park in Beaune.
Tested in 2020
Les Jardins de Loïs
8 boulevard Bretonnière, 21200 BeauneRoom rates: starting from €168, breakfast included
_
Thanks to Mathilde and the Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bourgogne for these two hosting opportunities.
I hope that with all this, I have made you want to discover Beaune, its surroundings, Burgundy, and its wines. And if you also have your own recommended addresses and tips for this destination, don’t hesitate to share them in the comments!
Find all my travel articles below:
⇒ All my articles on Burgundy Franche-Comté
⇒ All my articles about wine
⇒ All my articles about oenotourism
MY OENOTOURISM DISCOVERIES
⇒ The Burgundy Wine Route
⇒ Lirac Wines
⇒ Vacqueyras Wines
⇒ Cognac, discover the city and its alcohol
⇒ Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux
⇒ The Percée du Vin Jaune in the Jura
⇒ Luberon Wines
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez and Melle Bon Plan Photos are not royalty-free; permission from the photographer is mandatory before any use
