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Beaune
Explore Beaune's Medieval Heart : Private guided walking Tour
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private tours
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Walking Tours
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02 hours
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Small Groups ( 2~8 )
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Quiet
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English
- Highlights
- Program
- Gallery
- Know before
- Meeting point
- Inc. / Exc.
- FAQ
Select options and Book
Check availability
Highlights
- Optional tasting of celebrated Burgundy wines
- Hear captivating Burgundy legends & stories
- Walk the historic medieval ramparts
- Marvel at Notre Dame Collegiate Church
- Discover Hôtel-Dieu des Hospices de Beaune
Program & Itinerary
Follow a private guided walking tour with a licensed guide, expert of the town of Beaune. Today, we will come and pick you up at your hotel or accommodation in Beaune. If you are traveling from outside the city, we will pre-program a centrally located meeting point.
Meet your English speaking licensed guide who is accredited to conduct guided tours in historical towns, museums and monuments and thanks to the fascinating stories and local anecdotes you will discover Beaune in a fun & informative way.
Then, begin your 2-hour guided walking tour in Beaune. Discover how the city was built from the middle ages to the present day and admire the heritage which reminds us of the great Beaune Hours including the Notre Dame Collegiate Church and passing by the ramparts of the city.
A bit of History
The origin of the 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.
Hotel Dieu des Hospices de Beaune
The Hôtel-Dieu was a medieval hospital that featured vast halls for beds for the sick. Founded in 1443, the Hôtel-Dieu in Beaune is a two-storied construction that occupies three sides of a courtyard. In one of its wards is a Museum dedicated to Rogier Van der Weyden's great Altarpiece - The Last Judgement that was commissioned by Nicolas Rolin, the last chancellor of the Burgundian Dukes and the hospital's builder.
The Hospital was built to help the persons who had suffered from famine and poverty after the Hundred Years War. As you visit, discover the kitchen, the pharmacy and the vast hall with its wooden beds and red curtains that maintain some kind of privacy. The Hospices is also famous for the wine auction it organizes each year with wine produced from 53 hectares of vineyards that were donated to the hospital through the centuries. This Charity Sale is held every year in November.
Basilique Notre Dame
Beaune, located on the way to Jerusalem, was a popular stop for all the pilgrims wanting to make their way towards the Holy Land. Because the number of pilgrims that pass through the town in the 12th century is considerable, the Dukes of Burgundy decided to build a larger Church than the existing one, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The beginning of the construction of Notre Dame Collegiate Church dates back to the second half of the 12th century. The architectural style of the Basilica was inspired by that of Cluny. The largest part of the Basilica is in the Romanesque style.
This sanctuary has kept rich furniture ranging from the Romanesque period to the 17th century. There are also important remains of 15th century wall paintings that you will discover during your visit. Notre-Dame de Beaune is known worldwide for its tapestries depicting Virgin Mary’s life; they are presented in the Basilica’s Choir.
This exceptional collection dates from the 16th century. The major events in Mary’s life are evoked in successive scenes. This set of tapestries was restored by the Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune’s nuns in 1852.
Grosse Tour
Beaune is a fortified town located in the heart of the prestigious Burgundy wine region. One of the four towers built in the early 16th century, it is decorated on the boulevard side with the coat of arms of the governor of Burgundy, La Trémouille. It played a role in monitoring the plain by watching the Route de Verdun, the nearby Saone forming the frontier between the French kingdom and the Holy Roman Empire until 1678.
Thus the guard saw the arrival in 1569 of the 40,000 Germans answering Condé's call, and then in 1636 the army led by Gallas that ravaged, pillaged and set fire to the faubourgs. Purchased in 1891 by the Maison Calvet from Bordeaux, it was used by this wine merchant as a prestigious tasting room before being acquired by the municipality. Its roof is laid out as a pleasure garden.
Wine tasting Burgundy Wine in Beaune
Beaune is considered to be the Capital of Burgundy wines. If you would like to taste some wines as part of this guided walking tour, it is possible for us to organize a wine tasting session in one of the numerous wine cellars that are located within the town of Beaune. During a commented session, taste some of the most typical local red and whites wines that have made Burgundy such a famous wine region of France.
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Beaune Historic Center – Cobblestones and Wine Heritage
Explore Beaune’s medieval center on foot with an expert local guide. Follow cobbled streets while discovering the town’s ducal past and the wine trade that has long shaped Burgundy’s cultural identity.Explore Beaune’s medieval center on foot with an expert local guide. Follow cobbled streets while discovering the town’s ducal past and the wine trade that has long shaped Burgundy’s cultural identity.Read moreRead less -
Hôtel-Dieu Hospices de Beaune – A Defining Landmark
See the Hôtel-Dieu Hospices de Beaune, one of the city’s most recognizable historic landmarks. Your guide places this important site within Beaune’s architectural and civic heritage.See the Hôtel-Dieu Hospices de Beaune, one of the city’s most recognizable historic landmarks. Your guide places this important site within Beaune’s architectural and civic heritage.Read moreRead less -
Notre-Dame Collegiate Church – Historic Tapestries
Admire the tapestries of Notre-Dame Collegiate Church. This religious landmark offers another perspective on Beaune’s medieval history and enduring cultural character.Admire the tapestries of Notre-Dame Collegiate Church. This religious landmark offers another perspective on Beaune’s medieval history and enduring cultural character.Read moreRead less -
Beaune Ramparts – Centuries of History
Walk alongside Beaune’s centuries-old ramparts, which once defined the boundaries of the medieval town. Their preserved presence adds a distinctive historic dimension to the streets and landmarks explored on the tour.Walk alongside Beaune’s centuries-old ramparts, which once defined the boundaries of the medieval town. Their preserved presence adds a distinctive historic dimension to the streets and landmarks explored on the tour.Read moreRead less -
Traditional Cellar – Optional Burgundy Wine Tasting
An optional tasting in a traditional cellar offers the opportunity to sample Burgundy red and white wines. Learn more about the wine culture that remains closely tied to Beaune’s identity.An optional tasting in a traditional cellar offers the opportunity to sample Burgundy red and white wines. Learn more about the wine culture that remains closely tied to Beaune’s identity.Read moreRead less -
Return to Beaune City Center
Conclude your private walking tour in Beaune’s historic center, with a richer understanding of the town’s medieval landmarks, religious heritage, ramparts, and enduring connection to Burgundy wine.Conclude your private walking tour in Beaune’s historic center, with a richer understanding of the town’s medieval landmarks, religious heritage, ramparts, and enduring connection to Burgundy wine.Read moreRead less
Gallery
Practical Information
Know before you book
- This is a private guided walking tour in Beaune.
- An expert local licensed guide leads the tour.
- The itinerary explores Beaune’s historic center.
- The route follows Beaune’s centuries-old ramparts.
- Learn about Beaune’s ducal past and wine trade.
Know before you go
- Expect to walk along cobbled streets in Beaune’s historic center.
- The tour includes medieval architecture and historic landmarks.
- See the tapestries of Notre-Dame Collegiate Church.
- The Hôtel-Dieu is a defining landmark of Beaune.
- The optional tasting features Burgundy red and white wines.
Additional information
This private guided walking tour is well suited to history lovers and food and wine enthusiasts who want to explore Beaune’s medieval center with an expert local guide. It appeals to travelers interested in cobbled streets, historic ramparts, the Hôtel-Dieu Hospices de Beaune, and the tapestries of Notre-Dame Collegiate Church, as well as those who wish to add an optional tasting of Burgundy red and white wines in a traditional cellar.
Voucher info
If any hotel or predetermined meeting place changes, notify Ophorus immediately. Otherwise be at location 10 minutes prior to pick up time.
Meeting point /
Departure
Return
Included / excluded
Included
- Licensed English-speaking local guide
- Guided tour of Beaune’s medieval highlights
- Visit to Notre Dame Collegiate Church
Excluded
- Meals and drinks (lunch)
- Personal travel insurance, expenses
- Gratuities for the guide
FAQ
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Can we book the tour for a large group?
Yes, the tour can accommodate large groups starting from 8 people, with various transportation options available -
What can I expect on the Private Beaune Medieval Walking Tour?
You can expect a guided walk through Beaune's historic center, visiting landmarks like Hôtel-Dieu and Notre Dame while learning about the town's medieval history -
Is wine tasting included in the tour?
Wine tasting is optional and can be added at a traditional cellar where you can sample Burgundy's renowned wines -
Who leads the walking tour?
The tour is led by a licensed English-speaking local guide who is knowledgeable about Beaune's history and culture -
What are the highlights of the walking tour?
Highlights include Hôtel-Dieu Hospices, Notre-Dame Collegiate Church, and the ancient ramparts of Beaune -
Are there any meals provided during the tour?
No meals are included in the tour, and personal expenses are also excluded -
What is the cancellation policy for the tour?
The cancellation policy offers a full refund up to 30 days before the service, with varying fees for later cancellations -
Is this tour suitable for families?
Yes, the tour is family-friendly, making it an engaging experience for all ages, especially those interested in history and culture -
How long does the walking tour last?
The duration of the walking tour varies, but it typically lasts a few hours depending on the itinerary and group size -
What should I wear for the walking tour?
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended as you'll be navigating cobbled streets and historic pathways
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