At the time of the Dukes of Burgundy

Brief history of the Hôtel-Dieu

In 1443, Nicolas Rolin, the extremely wealthy chancellor of the Duke of Burgundy, Philip the Good, and his wife, Guigone de Salins, built the Hospices de Beaune, a hospital to welcome and treat the poor and needy.

Louis XI is believed to have said about Rolin:

 he has made enough people poor in his life to be able to provide them shelter today!

The building served this charitable and medicinal purpose until 1971. It was then transformed into a museum. The fabulous treasures inside the building definitely made the conversion worthwhile. The hospital was transferred to a more adapted and more modern location in Beaune.

Alain Doire - BFC Tourisme
Gargouille et toits vernissés de l'Hospice de Beaune Alain Doire - BFC Tourisme
Alain Doire - BFC Tourisme
Visite de l'hôtel-dieu de Beaune Alain Doire - BFC Tourisme
Corinne Vasselet - BFC Tourisme
Vitrail de la salle Saint-Louis aux Hospices de beaune Corinne Vasselet - BFC Tourisme
Alain Doire - BFC Tourisme
Sol de la Chapelle des Hospices de Beaune Alain Doire - BFC Tourisme
Did you know?

Historical anecdote

The nuns from the Hospices de Beaune played their part in the Resistance. They took huge risks and hid prisoners and helped members of the Resistance. One of them, Maurice Drouhin, was threatened by the German police. Thanks to the 13th-century underground galleries, he found refuge at the Hospices.

 

Major tourist attraction

Tour of the museum and its treasures

Outdoors

A wonderful architectural masterpiece, the Gothic-style facade is much more beautiful and majestic than that of any other similar buildings. It is a remarkable example of medieval architecture inspired by the Flanders style (at the time under the authority of the Dukedom of Burgundy). This architecture, as well as the glazed tiles on the roof, are well-known across the globe. It has almost become a symbol of Burgundy.

Indoors

Inside, visitors can see the wards where the sick were treated (Salle des Pôvres and Salle Saint-Hugues) in individual cubicles. It is also possible to visit the kitchen and the apothecary. Not-to-mention the little wonders dotted all around the place: stylish furniture, precious paintings, tapestries, polychrome pillars, and clay pots.

Behind the altarpiece is the absolute highlight of the visit, in shades of bright gold, red and blue, the polyptych by Flemish painter Roger Van der Weyden. It is a polyptych altarpiece, several paintings on multiple panels. It was originally on display in the chapel for the sick, who could admire it on Sundays and public holidays, the rest of the time it was closed.

Visit the museum

 

Event

A museum AND a winegrowing estate

This private estate was mainly funded thanks to the prestigious winegrowing estate and around twenty winegrowers. The Hospices wine auction is one of the highlights of the year for the Burgundy vineyards.

Beaune during the Hospices wine auction

Visits nearby: on the theme of wine and wine tourism

It's impossible to leave the capital of the Burgundy wines without going to a wine tasting cellar. And for those who are really passionate about wine, the Route des Grand Crus (Route of the Great Wines) covers 60 km past some legendary vineyards and prestigious winegrowing estates. Those who want to find out all about sparkling wines can take a tour of the Imaginarium and the Cassisium to unveil the secrets of blackcurrant.

En résumé
A propos
Gargouille et toits vernissés de l'Hospice de Beaune Alain Doire - BFC Tourisme
Visite de l'hôtel-dieu de Beaune Alain Doire - BFC Tourisme
Vitrail de la salle Saint-Louis aux Hospices de beaune Corinne Vasselet - BFC Tourisme
Sol de la Chapelle des Hospices de Beaune Alain Doire - BFC Tourisme