Welcome to Beaune, the storybook “wine capital” of Burgundy. Within its medieval ramparts, you’ll find cobblestone lanes, cellars carved into limestone, and the radiant, patterned tiles of the 15th‑century Hospices de Beaune. Surrounding the town, the Côte de Beaune’s UNESCO‑listed “Climats” form a living quilt of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay plots—an open‑air classroom for wine lovers.

Beaune is as tasty as it is historic. Enjoy classics like oeufs en meurette, jambon persillé, boeuf bourguignon, Époisses cheese, and gingerbread—paired, naturally, with a local bottle. Fun fact: every November, the world’s oldest charity wine auction is held at the Hospices, setting prices that ripple through Burgundy’s vineyards.

Practical notes: Trains make Beaune easy from Paris, Dijon, or Lyon; bikes and e‑bikes are ideal for vineyard lanes. Reserve tastings and top restaurants ahead, especially from May to October and during harvest. Spitting is standard at tastings, and designated drivers are a must if you’re not on a guided tour.

Beaune

Beaune is compact, walkable, and unhurried—perfect for slow mornings, cellar detours, and golden‑hour rambles on the ramparts. The town’s heart circles the Hôtel‑Dieu (Hospices), while legendary names—Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Puligny‑Montrachet—sit minutes away by bike or car.

• Top sights: Hospices de Beaune, Basilique Notre‑Dame, Parc de la Bouzaize, the ramparts and bastions, and traditional cellars like Patriarche or Joseph Drouhin (book ahead).
• Signature experiences: vineyard cycling, terroir‑driven tastings, mustard at Moutarderie Fallot, and market grazing at Les Halles (best on Saturday mornings).
• Where to taste: Marché aux Vins (walk‑in flights), boutique domaines by appointment, and wine bars like La Dilettante, Le Bout du Monde, and Les Vins de Maurice.

Where to stay: Browse curated stays near the center on VRBO Beaune or compare hotels on Hotels.com Beaune. Aim for within the ramparts or just outside for easy walking.

How to get there: From Paris (Gare de Lyon), trains to Beaune via Dijon take about 2h10–2h40 (~€25–€60). From Lyon Part‑Dieu, about 1h40 (~€20–€35). From Geneva, ~3h15–3h45 with 1–2 changes (~€35–€60). Search schedules and tickets on Omio Trains. For flights into Paris, Lyon, or Geneva, compare fares on Omio Flights (Europe) or long‑haul options on Trip.com Flights.

Day 1: Arrival, Old Town Stroll, and First Sips

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off the travel with a gentle loop of the ramparts—enter at Porte Saint‑Nicolas and peek at bastions and tiny gardens—then step into the Basilique Notre‑Dame to admire Romanesque arches and 15th‑century tapestries. If time allows, pop into Marché aux Vins for an introductory tasting in atmospheric cellars.

Late Afternoon Activity (2 hours): Start with a private orientation that folds history into wine culture:

Private guided tour — Beaune 2h

Highlights include the Hospices exterior, hidden courtyards, and the town’s centuries‑old wine guilds. Expect context, stories, and practical tips for tastings to come.

Evening: Dinner at one of these local favorites: Caves Madeleine (market‑led menu, superb cellar; book ahead), Le Relais de Saulx (intimate, seasonal Burgundian plates), or Le Bistrot Bourguignon (lively, classic fare). For a nightcap, try La Dilettante (natural‑leaning list) or Les Vins de Maurice (tasting flights). Dish tip: order oeufs en meurette to understand Burgundy in a bite.

Day 2: Côte de Beaune by Bike — Villages, Vines, and Views

Morning: Coffee at Brûlerie de Beaune (local roaster) and a flaky croissant at Pâtisserie Bouche. Join a guided ride through some of the prettiest vineyard lanes on earth—flat to gently rolling, ideal for easy pedaling with ample tasting pauses.

Burgundy Bike Tour with Wine Tasting from Beaune

Afternoon: Roll through Pommard, Volnay, and perhaps Meursault or Puligny‑Montrachet, tasting terroir differences between Premier Cru sites and village wines. Picnic lunches often feature jambon persillé, local cheese, and crusty bread—ask your guide for their favorite fromager and charcutier.

Evening: Casual dinner back in Beaune: La Lune (Japanese‑Burgundian bistro; tiny, bookable), Les Popiettes (cozy, budget‑friendly), or 21 Boulevard (historic cellar setting). If you want a digestif, sample a splash of crème de cassis or Marc de Bourgogne.

Day 3: Grand Crus Road — Deep Dive into Côte d’Or Terroir

Morning: Espresso and a pain au chocolat at Café Félix on Place Carnot, then set off for a full‑day tasting masterclass focused on Burgundy’s hierarchy and micro‑climates.

Burgundy Grand Crus Route Day Tour — 14 Wines Tastings in Domains

Afternoon: Expect stops spanning Côte de Beaune and possibly Côte de Nuits, comparing Village, Premier Cru, and the elusive Grand Cru. Guides illuminate soils (limestone, marl, clay), exposition, and cellar choices that shape Pinot Noir and Chardonnay styles.

Evening: Light supper in town: Le Comptoir des Tontons (organic, terroir‑driven plates) or Boucherie & Bistro Maison du Colombier (small plates and excellent charcuterie board). For a sophisticated sip, order a glass of Savigny‑lès‑Beaune 1er Cru or a Meursault “Les Charmes.”

Day 4: Sunrise Balloon, Hospices de Beaune, and Mustard & Cheese

Early Morning: An unforgettable dawn over vine‑rows stitched with stone walls. Dress warm and bring a camera.

Burgundy Hot‑Air Balloon Ride from Beaune

Late Morning: Brunch near Place Carnot, then tour the Hospices de Beaune (Hôtel‑Dieu). Inside the former charity hospital, oak‑beamed wards and the famous Last Judgment altarpiece tell a haunting story of faith, medicine, and viticulture dating to 1443.

Afternoon: Visit Moutarderie Fallot for an interactive mustard experience—taste seed‑to‑jar styles (old‑fashioned, tarragon, blackcurrant). Stock picnic goodies at Fromagerie Alain Hess (don’t miss Époisses, Brillat‑Savarin) and Maison Collonge for charcuterie, then unwind at Parc de la Bouzaize with a lakeside stroll.

Evening: Elevate dinner with a splurge: Le Bénaton (Michelin‑starred, seasonal precision) in town, or Hostellerie de Levernois (1‑star restaurant just outside Beaune; taxi or short drive). Wine lovers: ask for a vertical (same climat, different vintages) to taste time itself.

Day 5: Market Morning, Last Tastings, and Departure

Morning: If it’s Saturday, browse Les Halles market for produce, saucisson, cheeses, and honey; otherwise, indulge in a final cellar tour—Patriarche (kilometers of candlelit galleries) or Joseph Drouhin (medieval cellars beneath the old moat), both by reservation. Prefer something different? Consider a local truffle demonstration in season to see how trained dogs find black diamonds in Burgundy’s woods.

Afternoon: Enjoy a farewell lunch—try Le Bout du Monde for a glass and small plates, or Les Pôpiettes for a hearty plat du jour. Pick up bottles you loved; most shops can ship internationally and advise on customs. Walk to the station for trains onward; Paris via Dijon is about 2h10–2h40, Lyon about 1h40. Book tickets on Omio Trains. For onward flights in Europe use Omio Flights, or compare long‑haul on Trip.com.

Evening: Departure day—if you have an extra hour, take one last loop around the Hospices courtyard to memorize those glazed tiles, then grab a final espresso at Café Félix for the road.

Insider tips: Book tours and restaurants well ahead (especially May–October and harvest). Burgundy tastings favor education over volume—don’t hesitate to spit. If you’re driving, assign a non‑tasting driver or choose guided tours. For lodging, staying within the ramparts means easy walking to tastings and dinner: browse VRBO and Hotels.com for stays steps from Place Carnot.

Optional add‑ons and swaps: Prefer more Côte de Nuits? Swap Day 2 or 3 for a private route focusing on Gevrey‑Chambertin, Chambolle‑Musigny, and Vosne‑Romanée. Foodies can add a cooking class (oeufs en meurette, gougères) or a cheese‑centric tasting pairing Époisses, Soumaintrain, and Comté with Chardonnay and Aligoté.

Selected Viator experiences above blend active exploring with expert‑led tastings—book early in high season. If dates are tight, consider a shorter classic‑car vineyard spin for photos and one memorable tasting break.