17 Best Things to do in Beaune France

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Searching for the best things to do in Beaune? Full of wine, charming architecture, and delightful cuisine, a visit to this Burgundian village is a must.

Located only about a 30-minute train ride from Dijon, Beaune is in the heart of Burgundy. Bike to vineyards just outside the city, sip a Burgundy Grand Cru, or just enjoy the vibes of this delightful town. 

Beaune is a beauty no matter when you visit, so let’s talk about the best things to do in Beaune, Burgundy for the best weekend in Beaune! 

17 Best Things to Do in Beaune, France

For a quick guide on what to do in Beaune, see this list below. For more details, please keep reading. 

1. Go Wine Tasting
2. Visit the Museum of Wine
3. Learn About Wine at the Burgundy Wine School
4. Take a Cooking Class
5. Explore Basilique Notre-Dame
6. Enjoy the Hospices de Beaune
7. Admire the Beffroi
8. Stroll in Park Bouzaise
9. Eat All the Burgundian Food
10. Learn About Mustard at La Moutarderie Fallot
11. Visit the Farmers Market
12. Explore the Beaune Ramparts
13. Rent a Bike to Explore the Vineyards
14. Enjoy the Festivals in Beaune
15. Go on a Biking Wine Tour
16. Visit Dijon For a Day
17. Explore More of Burgundy

Beaune Things to do

Without further ado, let’s talk all about the best Beaune attractions and things to do! 

1. Go Wine Tasting

This is a bit of a no-brainer. While you’re in the heart of Burgundy, you’ve got to try some wine. What wine is Burgundy known for? It’s Pinot Noir and Chardonnay! 

So if you’re a lover of these wines, then Burgundy is the place to be! The great thing about being in Beaune, however, is that you’re within walking distance to some great wineries, wine cellars, and wine shops. 

Bouchard Ainé et Fils, Maison Champy, Patriarche Père et Fils, and Caves de l’Abbaye are some great spots to check out to satisfy your palate. 

2. Visit the Museum of Wine

24 rue Paradis ou, Rue d’Enfer, 21200 Beaune

Once the Hôtel des Ducs de Bourgogne, this museum is dedicated to the history of winemaking, especially winemaking in this region. Explore this charming Medieval building as you take in the knowledge of wine growing through the ages. 

It is really fascinating to explore and is only €6 to visit. If you’re planning to explore Beaune sightseeing in the summer and fall, this is a great place to visit, as it is open from April through October every day except Tuesdays from 10 am-1 pm and 2-6 pm. 

3. Learn About Wine at the Burgundy Wine School

15, rue Bellecroix, 21200, Beaune

You’ve learned about the history of wine, but what about all the nuances of Burgundy wine? At the Burgundy Wine School, you’ll learn just that with a 2-hour course dedicated to learning about wine made here, including classifications, climate, soil, terroir, vintages, and more.

And, of course, you’ll try plenty of wine that varies in complexity, producers, vintages, and more. 

The 2-hour course is €250 per person and is offered every Monday-Friday year-round. 

If you really want to amp up your Burgundy wine game, you can do a 4-hour course which includes visiting vineyards for €750 per person. This is offered Monday-Friday from March through November. 

4. Take a Cooking Class

9 Avenue de l’Aigue, 21200, Beaune

Want to learn how to make amazing Burgundian cuisine and have some great wine in the process? Check out Terroirs by Adeline. 

Create 4 courses from start to finish as you learn about French cuisine and Burgundy wine. Discover what makes the perfect pairing, and leave feeling full of French fare and plenty of tips for your next dinner party. 

Prices vary by day, but on regular days it is €325 per person, on Sundays it is €375 per person, and on Wednesdays and Saturdays it is €385 and includes a market tour. Dinners are €350 per person during the week.

Hours are Monday-Friday and Sunday from 10 am-2:30 pm and Saturday from 9:30 am-3 pm. Sundays can be lunch or dinner classes.

5. Explore Basilique Notre-Dame

4 Notre-Dame cul-de-sac, 21200, Beaune

Like most cities in France, there is a Notre Dame. The one in Beaune is truly stunning. Built in the 13th century, this cathedral is made in the Gothic and Renaissance style. 

It holds many beautiful things to see inside including 16th-century tapestries, stunning stained glass windows, beautiful cloisters, and more. It is well worth a visit during your time in Beaune. 

The cathedral is open for visiting including the cloisters daily from 8:30 am-7 pm during the summer and 8:30 am-6 pm in the winter. On Sundays, the Basilica opens at 9 am. To visit the tapestries, they are available to view from May 20-October 31 from Monday-Friday from 2:30 pm-5:30 pm. You can also see them on Sunday from 2:30 pm-5:30 pm. 

6. Enjoy the Hospices de Beaune

2 Rue de l’Hôtel Dieu, 21200 Beaune

Easily one of the top things to do in Beaune, Hospices de Beaune, or Hotel-Dieu de Beaune, was a former hospital for the needy and began in 1443 before becoming a museum. Its exterior displays the magnificent 15th-century Burgundian architecture. 

The Hospices de Beaune also has incredible glazed tile, and the interior houses the Beaune Altarpiece. 

And if you happen to be in Beaune during the third weekend of November, you’ll be there for the Hospices de Beaune Wine Auction, a very high-profile charity event. 

You can visit the Hospices de Beaune every day from March 30 until mid-November from 9 am-7:30 pm. Mid-November through March, you can visit between 9 am-12:30 pm and 2-6:30 pm. It costs €12 for adults to visit and includes an audio guide.

If you wish to take a guided tour, it costs €19 and is every day at 10:30 am and at 2:15 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday and 3:45 pm on Monday, Friday, and Saturday.

There are several other tours and workshops you can check out here offered throughout the year.

Note that guided tours and workshops are only in French. 

7. Admire the Beffroi

22 Pl. Monge, 21200 Beaune

Built in the 13th and 14th centuries, the Beffroi is a historic monument and a great Beaune, France attraction. 

It was acquired and turned into a clock tower by Duke Philip III after he demanded the monks of Maizieres Abbey to cede the city. 

You can visit it today and even go inside on guided tours that take place from July 1-October 31 every day except Tuesday at 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm, and 5 pm. It costs €6 to visit, and you’ll want to make a reservation in advance.

8. Strolling in Park Bouzaise is One of the Best Things to do in Beaune

For a calm relaxing morning or afternoon, check out Park Bouzaise. This is a lovely place to stroll and spot the various ducks swimming in the lake. You can walk around the lake before following the La Bouzaise River that cuts through Beaune. 

9. Eat All the Burgundian Food

Where there is good wine there is usually great food to pair it with. In Beaune, you can expect some seriously tasty Burgundian cuisine including coq au vin, boeuf bourguignon, escargots de Bourgogne, gougères (cheese puffs), and even cuisses de grenouille (frog legs). 

You’ll be able to try many of these dishes and more at great restaurants in Beaune including Le Maufoux, Le Carmin, Caves Madeleine, and La Ciboulette. 

10. Learn About Mustard at La Moutarderie Fallot

31 Rue du Faubourg Bretonnière, 21200 Beaune

Love Dijon mustard? Well, during a trip to Dijon, you can definitely hit up all the great mustard shops! But during a trip to Beaune, you can find the Fallot Mustard Factory, where you can witness how Edmond Fallot mustard is made. 

Learn about the history of this company, how mustard is made, and even sample mustard at the workshop! They offer tours including a “Discovery” tour discussing traditions in making mustard through the centuries, and the “Strong Sensations” tour which shows their production facility and how they go from seed to final product. It costs €10 for a tour and is offered in French, German, and English. 

And don’t forget to purchase some mustard to take home! The shop is open every day from 9:30 am-6 pm.

To book a tour, check here!

11. Visit the Farmers Market

For one of the things to see in Beaune, France for foodies, a visit to the farmers market on Saturday is a must. 

Open from 7 am-1 pm on Saturday, this is a weekly market with over 150 stalls filled with fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and more!

The market stretches from the Halle de Beaune (the covered market) and throughout the middle of the old city of Beaune, and it is a great spot to find ingredients for a great meal or a picnic in the park! 

12. Explore the Beaune Ramparts

Yes, Beaune has city walls that you can explore! The Ramparts de Beaune were built between the 12th-14th centuries and reinforced in the 15th and 16th centuries. 

Follow the Amis des Remparts de Beaune signs to see the highlights of the ramparts including the Chateau de Beaune, La Tour des Cordeliers, La Tour des Dames, La Porte Saint Nicolas, and Le Theatre de Verdure. 

There are ample sights to see around Beaune along the ramparts!

13. Rent a Bike to Explore the Vineyards

With vineyards just outside of downtown, as well as a bike path, what better way to enjoy the view than by renting a bike for the day? 

Bourgogne Evasion and Bourgogne Randonnées have bike rentals starting between €19-20 for a day or €39-45 per day for an electric bike. 

Bike along the bike path through the vineyards and perhaps continue on your way through the charming villages in Burgundy. 

14. Enjoy the Festivals in Beaune

Beaune has many incredible festivals to enjoy throughout the year. For starters, the 3rd weekend of November is the Beaune Wine Festival featuring artisans and their crafts, wine tastings, and at the Hospices de Beaune, there is the annual Hospices de Beaune Wine Auction. This is full of vintners, winemakers, connoisseurs, and more! 

The first Sunday in December is the Marché de Noël des producteurs au Domaine Besancenot, which is a Christmas market in Beaune with mulled wine, crafted goods, and activities for the family. 

In September, there is a jazz festival with all kinds of concerts and entertainment. And, of course, there is the Festival de Beaune in July that celebrates international Baroque opera.

There are many more, so be sure to check them out at the tourism site! 

15. Go on a Biking Wine Tour

I mentioned renting a bike on your own earlier, but if you want to enjoy biking with wine tastings, definitely book a biking wine tour from Beaune. 

Bourgogne Evasion offers half-day, full-day, and even multi-day tours where you’ll bike around the vineyards and charming towns of the area in between wine tastings. 

On my last visit, I booked the full-day tour which included stops at 2 wineries, lunch, and tons of great insight from our guide. 

Book it here! 

16. Visit Dijon For a Day

If you’re not already visiting Dijon during your time in Burgundy, definitely make a day trip there! Explore the best things to do in Dijon including following the owls on the self-guided walking tour of its most famous sites, enjoying the art museums, and definitely visiting the market and tasting all the mustard at the mustard shops! 

17. Explore More of Burgundy

Yes, you could just enjoy your time in Beaune and the immediate surrounding area, but there are a lot of great places to visit during your time there! 

There are a handful of castles and abbeys in the area including Château d’Ancy-le-Franc, Chateau de Coraboeuf, Chateau de Savigny-les-Beaune, Fontenay Abbey, and Citeaux Abbey, among others. 

You also will love the delightful villages of Burgundy like Vézelay, Châteauneuf-en-Auxois, and Semur-en-Auxois as well as wine towns like Macon, Pommard, Nuits-St-Georges, and Fuisse. 

Where to Stay in Beaune

Between sipping wine, tasting incredible delicacies, and wandering through the Ramparts, you’ll need a place to stay. Here are some great hotels based on your budget. 

Budget: Le Central Boutique Hotel

This central hotel is in a great location for exploring Beaune, and the space is renovated but keeps its vintage charm. Enjoy the bar after a day of exploring, or simply relax in your air-conditioned room. 

Book it here! 

Mid-Range: Abbaye de Maizieres

Ever wanted to stay in a historic abbey? Here is your chance in Beaune! The Abbaye de Maizieres is a boutique hotel in an old Cistercian Abbey from the 12th century. Enjoy the fortress vibes with all the modern comforts of home. There are winding staircases, tapestries, vaulted ceilings, and more to enjoy during your stay. They even offer massages and have an indoor pool. 

Book it here! 

Luxury: L’Hotel de Beaune

Enjoy the luxury of this 19th-century house and its courtyard after exploring Beaune during the day. There are 2 restaurants, luxurious furnishings, great service, and lovely rooms for your stay. Plus, their Bistro offers an incredible wine list! 

Book it here! 

When to Visit Beaune

Beaune is a lovely place to visit year-round, but you’ll notice that some Beaune attractions above aren’t open all year. They are open in the summer and fall months. 

So if you plan to do a lot in Beaune, be sure to visit between July and October to get the most out of your visit. 

However, the best time to visit Beaune is in the fall for the wine harvest season! 

Getting to Beaune

It is easy to get to Beaune thanks to its close proximity to Dijon. It is just a 30-minute train ride away! After that, Beaune is pretty small so great for walking around the city! 

For exploring beyond Beaune, renting a car or bike is a good idea! 

These are the best things to do in Beaune, France that’ll have you wanting to book a trip now! Which are your favorite things to do?

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