Things to do in Beaune - 15 tips for the wine capital of Burgundy

Writer: Helena Bergström

What to see and do in Beaune? This French city is often described as the capital of Burgundy wines. So there's a lot to do with wine here! Plus, you can experience historic sights, charming alleyways and great food.

Beaune in France

Beaune, located in the Côte de Beaune wine region of Burgundy, is a medieval town completely surrounded by a massive curtain wall. The main attraction is the old infirmary Hospice de Beaune, and the city also has a history of manufacturing fabrics, wallpapers and textiles.

We have visited Beuane no less than two times this year, first when we stayed here during the river cruise with the Grand Victoria, and then when we came with the motorhome together with Peter's son Robin and his wife Alexandra. So there are both spring and summer pictures in the report!

Beaune is located in Burgundy in eastern France, 45 kilometres south of Dijon.

What can you do in Beaune?

So, what can you see and do as a tourist in Beaune? Well, you can check out some great sights, but you can also enjoy food and wine. We share our top tips here.

1. Impressed by the city walls

The historic part of Beune is completely surrounded by thick and solid city walls (Les Remparts de Beaune). If you walk along the wall, you can discover lots of historical sites in the form of towers, bastions, gardens and old city gates.

2 - Spana in Porte Saint-Nicolas

St Nicholas Gate is a magnificent attraction in Beaune. The site was formerly occupied by a fortified gate with a drawbridge, which was replaced in 1770 by this impressive new entrance, designed by Dijon architect Nicolas Lenoir.

3. Strolling in the old town

Inside the city walls, you can discover the historic old town. Expect charming cobbled alleyways and beautiful old stone houses, full of history. You'll also find plenty of shops and restaurants.

4. visit the Hôtel-Dieu Museum - Hospice de Beaune

Perhaps the main attraction in Beaune is Hotel-Dieu or Hospice de Beaune as it is also known. Built in 1443-1452 as a nursing home for the poor, this stunning building is adorned with a colourful patterned roof.

Today, the building functions as a museum and you can walk around the courtyard, as well as the different rooms, while listening to an audio guide.

It's fascinating to see how the hospital once operated, and how monks and nuns cared for the sick. There are also a number of other attractions here, most notably the painting Last judgement by Rogier van der Weyden, which is one of the most important works of early Dutch art.

5. See Notre-Dame de Beaune

Those who wish can also visit the partially preserved Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Beaune, built in the 13th and 14th centuries. It features a high Gothic vault, a 12th-century statue of the Black Madonna and a collection of historic tapestries.

6. Wine tasting at the wine night at Maison Patriarch

One thing you won't want to miss doing in Beaune is wine tasting. Of course, there are plenty of different wine tasting opportunities, but if you want an experience that's a little out of the ordinary, we recommend a visit to Patriarch House.

The wine cellar, which carries 240 years of history, runs under much of the old town of Beaune. As a visitor, you pay the entrance fee (currently €250/person) and then take a self-guided tour of the long winding cellars, which ends with wine tasting. Very, very nice and interesting!

7. Eat at a Michelin-starred restaurant

The Côte de Beaune currently (2025) has no less than six Michelin-starred restaurants. Not bad! During our first visit to Beaune, we ate at one of them, namely Le Carmin. At this restaurant we were served a delicious lunch which started with small appetising "amuses bouche" and was followed by a starter, main course and dessert.

The service was impeccable and the wines were fantastic.

8. Enjoy a cosy outdoor dining area

Of course, if you don't want to spend money on a Michelin-starred restaurant, there are plenty of options for nice, simple meals. When the weather is nice, there are plenty of cosy outdoor seating areas where you can enjoy the food as well as the view.

Lunch is usually served between 12 noon and 2am, and there is often the option of choosing the 'plat du jour' (dish of the day), which can be a good choice as you know the dish is fresh and ready to serve, and the price is usually better. Where we ate on our last visit, the dish of the day was served with dessert for 16 euros per person.

9. Find goodies at the Alain Hess cheese factory

If you like good food, don't miss the Alain Hess cheese shop. Here you will find a wide range of delicious cheeses, but also other delicacies and treats in beautiful gift boxes.

10. Shop at the outdoor market

On Saturday mornings, and possibly also on Wednesdays, there is an outdoor market in the centre of Beaune. Here you can mainly find edible treats, but you can also find beautiful textiles and other items.

11. discover Chateau de Rully

Castle Chateau de Rullylocated just outside Beaune, has been in the same family for no less than 26 generations. Impressive! The current owner lives here with his family, so you can't drop by unannounced. However, it is possible to book a guided tour, when the lord of the castle takes you on a personalised tour of the historic rooms. Very interesting!

12. exploring Meursault

Meursalt is a beautiful and charming little town twenty minutes by car from the centre of Beaune. Here you can visit the wine castle Castle of Meursault Or head to the town's cosy little centre, where you can browse shops, eat in restaurants, or perhaps sample wine at one of the countless wineries.

13. Take excursions to other places in Burgundy

In addition to all the things you can do in Beaune, it is also nice to make excursions to other resorts in the Burgundy wine region. Here are some suggestions.

Dijon

Dijon is known first and foremost for its marvellous Dijon mustard. In addition, this cosy yet stately city offers beautiful houses and historical sights. Read all our tips about Dijon here.

Chalon-sur-Saône

Chalon-sur-Saône is beautifully situated on the banks of the River Saône and offers pleasant streets with shopping and restaurants. You can also check out the cathedral St Vincent.

Tournus

Tournus is a small historic town, which is great to stroll around. The main attraction is the Abbey of Saint-Philibert de Tournus, which is well worth saving for.

Mâcon

Another nice town to check out is Mâcon. Here you will find, among other things, the magnificent church St Peter and many cosy outdoor cafés.

14. Learn about the wine regions of Burgundy

Of course, when you're in Beaune, you don't want to miss out on learning about the different wine districts in Burgundy. There are five main wine districts: Chablis, Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais.

Beaune is located in the Côte de Beaune, producing both red and white wine, but mostly white. The region is known for its chardonnay wines with several grand cru vineyards around the villages of Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet. 

15. Cruise on the river Saône

The Saône river runs through Burgundy and cruising on a variety of boats is very popular here. There are everything from giant barges with room for many passengers to smaller boats that can be driven on their own. Or why not embark on a truly exclusive cruise on the six-passenger Grand Victoria?

More to see and do in Beaune

There is of course more to see and do in Beaune, beyond our tips. Here are a few more suggestions:

• Beaune Belfry is a tower in the city, which is currently closed to visitors.
• Cycling to vineyards is a popular activity, and bikes are available for hire at various locations.
• Wine Museum, located in the Hôtel des Ducs de Bourgogne, tells you about winemaking and the history of wine.
• Parc de la Bouzaise is a green park with a lake, where you can canoe.
• Lions Square is a small park with statues.

Where can you stay or park your motorhome?

There are of course lots of different hotels and other accommodation in and around Beaune. We came here with our motorhome and stayed at Camping municipal les cent vignes. This campsite is very pleasant and also has an extremely good location with a short walk to the centre of Beaune.

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

In the vicinity of Beaune, we can especially recommend continuing to the beautiful and interesting the city of Dijon. Other interesting places, not too far away, are the French city of Lyon and the Swiss city of Geneva.

Even more tips on things to see and do in Beaune

Have you been to this part of France? Do you have any more tips on what to see and do in Beaune? Please let us know!