Lyonnais, we already know that these few lines will delight you and move you to tears. Knowing that there’s a “mini Lyon” that combines savoir-vivre, gastronomy and heritage as well as the capital of the Gauls can’t leave us indifferent. Like any self-respecting Lyonnais, if you’re a lover of good food and curious to discover a heritage treasure, hop on the train at Part-Dieu and head for… Beaune!
Beaune and the Climats du vignoble de Bourgogne, a UNESCO World Heritage site
And these are the only climats in the world to enjoy this distinction. Puligny-Montrachet, Pommard, Volnay, Meursault… it’s enough to make any bon vivant’s heart race. This is the very essence of French wine, the kind of bottles that can be found on the tables of top restaurants in Sydney or Tokyo.
Rest assured, from Lyon there’s no need to travel all the way to the Land of the Rising Sun to taste these divine nectars. With 19 train journeys a day, you’re bound to find something to your liking. Are you an early riser? Leave at 7.16am with the first train, which will get you to Beaune by 9am. Perfect for a coffee on the Place Carnot and to start your day discovering the city’s treasures: 34 monuments are listed as historical monuments.
You’d rather take your time, and in any case, you’re not a morning person. Take the 10:16 or 11:16 train, and you’ll be right on time for lunch. Once you’ve had your lunch, we recommend a stroll through the cobbled streets of the town center before visiting the famous Hospices de Beaune, of course.
La Grande Vadrouille and the Hospices de Beaune, a 17-million-admission love affair
Cult! We all remember images of this legendary film starring Louis de Funès and Bourvil, two of cinema’s most celebrated monsters. If it left such a lasting impression, it’s not just because of the lines and the acting, but also because of certain scenes that have gone down in history. Those associated with the nuns and their horns in the Hospices de Beaune are just one of them.
As world-renowned as its wines, the Hospices de Beaune is, like Mont-Saint-Michel, Cluny and Vézelay, a must-see once in a lifetime. Their remarkably well-preserved, atypical architecture and rich history make them one of the most incredible monuments in our national heritage. The Hospices de Beaune were in operation until 1960, and are now a history museum with some remarkable works on display.