Beaune visit & Burgundy Wines: Half-Day Tour from Dijon
- Duration: 5 Hours (approx.)
- Location: Dijon
Pick up in Dijon
This morning, we will come and pick you up at the dedicated meeting point in central Dijon.
Meet your Expert Guide
Meet your English speaking guide who is an expert on Burgundy Wines & Culture and who will go over the program and itinerary of your small group shared Burgundy wine tour with you. Then, board your Premium, air-conditioned vehicle and begin your half day tour to discover the vineyards and wine producing region of Burgundy.
Burgundy wines tasting session
Your first stop will be for a prestigious tasting of Côte de Beaune and/or Côte de Nuits Burgundy wines. Here, guided by a professional hand, enjoy a commented tasting of 5 to 7 red and white Burgundy wines including exceptional wines classified as 1ers Crus and Grands Crus. This commented tasting is a perfect introduction to the Whites & Pinots Noirs wines of Burgundy.
Free time in Beaune
After your Burgundy wine tasting session, it will be time to drive to the charming small town of Beaune. The origin town of Beaune can be dated back to the 1st century BP when the Romans decided to build a fortification that lied at the crossroads between two of their most important ways. One linked the town of Lyon to Trier (Germany) and the other linked the town of Besançon to Autun. The town became prosperous in the 12th century thanks to the wine trade and its urban area expands outside the castle walls, erecting remparts that can be still seen today.
The town was at the time the Capital of the Duchy of Burgundy and the first Burgundian Parliament met at Beaune in 1227. During the middle ages, the town then organized itself around three major locations: the market square (that is today Place de la Halle), the Collegiate Church of Notre Dame (the old historical town center) and Place Carnot where the Parish Church used to stand.
The streets of Beaune have kept a number of houses and buildings that date back to those days, from Romanesque houses to 18th century private mansions. The town's past is also closely linked with religious life. Other than the Romanesque Clunisien style Collegiate Church of Notre Dame that dates back to the 12th & 13th century, a number of Abbeys and Convents still occupy a large proportion of the urban space.
Today, most of the buildings belong to wine merchants who have found an ideal location to store their wines. The Hospitaliers religious order also left their print in the town of Beaune with the most famous construction being the Hôtel-Dieu, built in a Franco-Flemish style, and that dates back to the 15th century. There is a second Hôtel-Dieu named Hospice de la Charité that is a good example of 17th century architecture.
Your options while in Beaune
While in Beaune, we suggest a number of visits or experiences so that you can make the best out of your time here. Certainly the most popular attraction in Beaune is the Hospices de Beaune a masterpiece of Burgundian Architecture. Visit this unique monument, you have plenty of time to do so while in Beaune.
Another option is to continue your wine tour and to participate in a great Burgundy wine tasting session in a local cellar. Here, you will taste between 7 to 10 wines.
You can also head to the Moutarderie Fallot, a functioning mustered factory and mill. Burgundy is without a doubt the most famous region in France for mustard production.
Finally, you can also take a stroll through the narrow street of the historical town of Beaune. The town has kept a large number of historical monuments, is dotted with traditional shops that offer great shopping opportunities especially when it comes to local delicacies such as gingerbread, Anise, Blackcurrant liquor and many more.