Hospices de Beaune
Hospices de Beaune features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Dijon. Give it roughly ~90 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type historic
- Suggested visit ~90 min
- Dijon Dijon guide
About Hospices de Beaune
The most beautiful Gothic building in Burgundy, a 15th-century charitable hospital in Beaune (30km south), with its spectacular multicoloured glazed-tile roof, hosting the world's most famous wine auction every November.
The Hôtel-Dieu des Hospices de Beaune, in the wine capital of Burgundy 30 kilometres south of Dijon, is one of the great buildings of medieval France and the site of the world's most famous wine auction. Founded in 1443 by Nicolas Rolin, Chancellor of Philip the Good of Burgundy, as a charitable hospital for the poor of Beaune, it operated as a working hospital for over 500 years (until 1971). Its architecture is Flemish Gothic, with the brilliant multicoloured geometric tile roof of the Grande Cour (great courtyard) being one of the most photographed medieval sights in France. The hospital's wine estate, built up through five centuries of donations from Burgundy's wine-growing families, produces some of the most prestigious Grand Cru and Premier Cru Burgundy wines. Every third Sunday of November, the wines of the estate are auctioned at the Hospices de Beaune charity auction, the "Sale of the Century", in an event that effectively sets the benchmark prices for Burgundy wine globally, with proceeds going to charitable causes. The auction weekend attracts wine merchants, collectors, and connoisseurs from around the world.
Did you know? The Hospices de Beaune charity auction, held every third Sunday of November, effectively sets the benchmark prices for Burgundy wine for the coming year, a single barrel of top Grand Cru can sell for €100,000 or more, with proceeds funding the modern Beaune hospital.
How long is a visit to Hospices de Beaune?
Set aside roughly ~90 min for Hospices de Beaune. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Hospices de Beaune worth your time?
Hospices de Beaune is among the 18 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Dijon, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Dijon
Hear the story of Hospices de Beaune
Preview the Dijon tour free in the Gingerguide app.