Burgundy
Burgundy wine region: a trip with Beaune as your base, and the hotels we pick
The roof of the Hôtel-Dieu in Beaune is laid with glazed tiles in yellow, green and red. Beneath it the sick were nursed for more than 500 years. Today it is the gateway to Burgundy.
12 November 20267 min read
Picolo Editorial
In short: Burgundy and Beaune
Burgundy, Bourgogne in French, is the wine region between Dijon and Lyon, known for pinot noir and chardonnay. Beaune is the best base, with the wine villages just beyond the ramparts. The train from Paris takes about two hours, often with a change at Dijon. Hôtel Le Cep is our first choice.
Last checked: November 2026.
Why Burgundy is different
In Bordeaux the châteaux own the vineyards. In Burgundy the vineyards are split into small plots with many owners, and each plot can carry its own name. These are the climats, and there are more than a thousand of them. UNESCO added the climats to the World Heritage List in 2015, the same year as the Champagne cellars.
For travellers that means two things. Producers are often small family domaines without a visitor centre. And the most famous names are not on a grand gate but on a sign by a wall. Book visits ahead, and expect many domaines to see visitors by appointment only.
Beaune: the town in the middle
Beaune is a town of around 20,000 people, its centre held inside the old ramparts. The Hôtel-Dieu, the hospital founded by Chancellor Nicolas Rolin in 1443, is its landmark and now a museum.
On the third Sunday of November, the Hospices de Beaune wine auction takes place, one of the oldest charity auctions in the wine world. The town fills up that weekend, so book early if you want to see it.
The Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune
The slopes in the middle of Burgundy are the Côte d'Or, split in two. North of Beaune is the Côte de Nuits, with villages such as Gevrey-Chambertin and Vosne-Romanée, given over largely to pinot noir. Around and south of Beaune is the Côte de Beaune, with Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet, best known for white wine from chardonnay.
The road through the villages is the Route des Grands Crus. It runs south from Dijon, and parts of it can be cycled. If you are tasting, you are not driving. Hire a bike or take a guided tour.
Getting there
From London, take the Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord and the RER or a taxi across to Gare de Lyon. The TGV to Beaune takes about two hours, often with a change at Dijon. The train between Dijon and Beaune takes around 25 minutes. Flights to Lyon are another option, about two hours from Beaune by train.
Where to stay in Beaune
Hôtel Le Cep
In a period building in central Beaune, five minutes' walk from the Hôtel-Dieu and the wine museum. There is a spa and two restaurants, among them Loiseau des Vignes, run by the Bernard Loiseau group. Guests on Hotels.com rate it 9.4 out of 10.
Best for staying inside the ramparts with a spa to come back to after a day in the vines.
Cèdre Beaune
A historic house with a garden, close to the station and a short walk from the old town, with a spa and the gastronomic Clos du Cèdre restaurant.
Best for arriving by train and dining in.
Le Central Boutique Hôtel
A converted 16th-century building in the middle of town, with a bar, a café and a terrace. The old town's dining rooms are a short walk away.
Best for spending more on wine than on the room.
Where to stay among the vines
Ermitage de Corton
In Chorey-lès-Beaune, just north of town, a country house with an outdoor pool, a bar and the Ermitage restaurant.
Best for travellers with a car who want to sleep surrounded by vineyards.
Before you go
Book the domaines first: many small producers see visitors by appointment only. Write early.
Autumn is busiest: the September harvest and the November auction weekend fill the hotels.
Cycle: parts of the Route des Grands Crus have cycle paths, and the villages are close together.
No driving after tasting: use the train, a bike or a driver.
Our first choice in Beaune
Hôtel Le Cep
Hôtel Le Cep is for travellers who want Burgundy on the doorstep and calm inside. It sits in central Beaune, five minutes' walk from the Hôtel-Dieu. In the evening you dine at Loiseau des Vignes, run by the Bernard Loiseau group, one of the great names in Burgundian cooking. After a day in the wine villages, the spa is waiting.
Frequently asked questions about Burgundy and Beaune
Where is the best place to stay in Burgundy?
Beaune is the best base for a Burgundy wine trip. It sits in the middle of the Côte d'Or, with the Côte de Nuits to the north and the Côte de Beaune to the south. It also has a station and plenty of restaurants. For vineyard views, villages such as Chorey-lès-Beaune are close by, though you will need a car or bike.
What is the difference between Burgundy and Bourgogne?
They are the same region. Bourgogne is the French name and Burgundy the English one, and French labels say Bourgogne. The region runs from Chablis in the north to Beaujolais in the south. For most wine travellers, though, the trip is about the Côte d'Or, the slopes between Dijon and Santenay.
When is the Beaune wine auction?
The Hospices de Beaune wine auction is held on the third Sunday of November. The proceeds go to the hospital and other charities. The weekend is packed with events and the hotels fill early, so if you want to be there, book your room many months ahead.
Can you visit Burgundy wine producers without an appointment?
Some négociants and wine bars in Beaune welcome walk-ins, but most small domaines require booking. Many are family businesses without a visitor centre. Write well ahead and say what interests you. The Beaune tourist office can help with guided tours and introductions.
How many days do you need in Burgundy?
Three nights in Beaune give you a day in the Côte de Nuits, a day in the Côte de Beaune and time for the Hôtel-Dieu. With five nights you can add Dijon or Chablis. Plan two producer visits a day rather than three, so the tasting stays a pleasure.
Sources
World Heritage status for the climats comes from UNESCO. The history of the Hôtel-Dieu and the auction comes from the Hospices de Beaune. Train times are from SNCF. Hotel details and guest ratings come from Hotels.com, checked in November 2026.
Santé from Burgundy
Picolo Editorial