Historic Places | Arts Centre | Sporting Activities | Spectator Sports | Flora & Fauna | Language | Touring Routes
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Beaune  Spires of the Hôtel Dieu In the middle of the Côte d’Or, Beaune is the capital of the wine region. The town has a majesty about it rather like one of the good vintages it is famed for. At its centre is the Hôtel Dieu, the Hospices de Beaune, with its inner courtyard and colourful tiled roof. Radiating out are the cobbled streets with boutiques of all kinds from wine and food to avant-garde fashion. There are so many delicious looking shops to browse around. Buy homemade wild peach jam from the tiny shop with a big name, Palais des Gourmets on Place Carnot and be tempted every step of the way by the charcuteries and patisseries. Bouché in Place Monge is famous for its chocolate and cakes, and Boutique Vedrenne has a glorious array of fruit liqueurs and marcs. Winelovers should visit L’Athenaeum de la Vigne et du Vin in Rue de l’Hôtel du Vin for books and accessories and Le Comptoir Viticole in Rue Samuel-Legay for more wine paraphernalia. To sample the best of the region’s wine, visit the Marché aux Vins opposite the Hospice. The ‘dégustation des vins’ takes place in an ancient church, with its stone pillars and arches forming the perfect backdrop. For 10 Euros you can taste the famous wines of the region – 18 in all, with the best reds coming at the end. Susan Wolk, a member of the Guild of Food Writers in London was given a tour by M. Dominique Devaux, a Master of Wine. She went overboard for the white Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2002. M. Devaux applauded that year for its perfect vine-ripening weather and 'remarked on the complex yet subtle flavours that rippled across our palates’ she said. A bottle retails at 36 euros but what a memorable 36 euros. Another very impressive cave to visit is that of Patriarche Père & Fils in Rue du Collège. The audio-guided visit through the labyrinth of Burgundy's most extensive cellars ends with a tasting of fine wine. Bouchard Aîné & Fils' headquarters are in the Hôtel du Conseiller du Roy on the ring road around Beaune. Their cellars are open seven days a week from 9.30 - 12.30 and 14.00 to 19.00 with an hour long tasting costing 9 euros. The town is famous for its Baroque Music Festival every weekend throughout July, the Jazz Festival in September, the Hospice de Beaune Wine Auction in November and the colourful Festival of Saint-Vincent, the patron saint of wine each January. See: Touring Routes On arrival, your first port-of-call should be the tourist office on the ring road at 6 Bd Perpreuil. There is a handy 'passport' with details of all the major places to visit, town maps, details of excursions and events. Tel: 03 80 26 21 30 Market Day Saturday with over 150 stalls Places to stay
Places to visit
Wine tours Burgundy Discovery – www.burgundydiscovery.com Burgundy on a Plate – www.burgundyonaplate.com Property English-speaking estate agent with 7 offices in Burgundy – www.burgundy4u.com hospital Hôpital de Beaune, Ave Guigone de Salins, 21200 Beaune tel: 03 80 24 44 44 |
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