In the beautiful Burgundy region of eastern France is the village of Beaune, known for producing some of the best wine in the region. This sleepy village in the Cote d'Or region of France is an excellent place to take a gastronomic adventure, where you can vacation amidst tranquil surroundings and sample the delicious local wares. Beaune hotels offer a comfortable base to allow you to explore the area, as well as offering some excellent facilities.
Beaune is at the heart of the wine-growing region of France, being the hub of the Burgundy region and is surrounded by some of the most famous wine villages in the country. It is most well known for hosting an annual charity wine auction that draws in visitors from far and wide. The most famous wines grown in the Burgundy region are red wines produced from Pinot Noir or Gamay grapes or white wines made from local Chardonnay or Aligote grapes. The villages around the Beaune area of Burgundy are full of sloped or flat vineyards providing the perfect climatic conditions to produce some of the best wine grapes in France, with plenty of exposure to sunshine and little rain or wind. For this reason, there is evidence that wines have been made in this region since as far back as 51 BC.
The market here is a wonderful sight and a place where you can pick up some great local produce. Each Saturday and Wednesday morning, the village is full of vendors selling local Burgundy delicacies like truffles, cheeses, fresh meats and of course, wines. The vendors come from across the Burgundy region to Beaune for these markets, which can attract large crowds.
Beaune retains its air of ancient France, completely enclosed by original ramparts and battlements and a bubbling stream and nestled into the hills of the Cote d'Or. The village enjoys a rich and vibrant history, which can be seen to this day in the medieval architecture and Pre-Roman features here. The center of the village is the oldest locale, which is completely pedestrianized to allow visitors to explore the area easily. In the center of the 'old town', you will find some excellent stores selling traditional items, with a focus on gastronomic products and wine. There are also a number of clothing stores to be explored here.
The gastronomic delights of Burgundy can also be explored in Beaune's great restaurants. There are over a hundred to choose from here, including award-winning Michelin starred restaurants. One of the local menu items that you are recommended to sample is boeuf bourguignon or beef burgundy, which is a local recipe of beef braised in local red wine with garlic, onions and mushrooms. It is a great example of what was once a dish consumed by French peasants gradually becoming a dish that is served at the finest French restaurants.
Other menu items to look out for are snails, jellied ham and a selection of great, local cheeses. If you don't want the formality of eating at a top restaurant in Beaune, there are plenty of more casual brasseries and cafes that offer some excellent local cuisine. It is not surprising that many of the items that the top eateries here serve include the local Burgundy wine as an ingredient, including coq au vin and eggs en meurette, or chicken and eggs in wine.
Many of the Beaune hotels are situated within the village's vineyards, with excellent views across the grape fields. They typically offer air-conditioned hotel rooms, as the climate is quite warm, as well as en-suite bathrooms. Visitors arriving in the area on vacation with young children will be pleased to find family rooms at many of the hotels as well as family-friendly restaurants. Some even offer children's playgrounds to keep little ones entertained during their stay.
As you would expect from an ancient French village, there are several hotels based in converted historic buildings, including a former 16th century convent and 19th century mansion houses. They tend to be smaller, offering a small number of rooms, for a more intimate atmosphere and more personal service.
The Beaune hotels offer some excellent facilities. Many provide free Wi-Fi access and hotel restaurants serving the best of the local cuisine and wines. In terms of leisure facilities, many Beaune hotels offer swimming pools to cool off.
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1.1950
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