The
town of Beaune was part of the independent and rebellious
Burgundy, the country of the Dukes of Burgundy. The dukedom
saw its territorial and artistic climax under the Valois;
Philip the Bold (1363-1404), John the Fearless (1404-1419),
Philip the Good (1419-1467) and Charles the Reckless (1467-1477)
made the region a powerful and radiating state even though
many hardships occurred during that period such as the Hundred
Years' War, the "bande des Ecorcheurs" (demobilised
soldiers who became extortioners raged through the Nivernais)
or the invasions of the troops of Louis XI to regain power.
During a stop in Burgundy, Stendhal discovered Beaune and
its famous Hôtel-Dieu and wrote in his "Mémoires
d'un touriste":
"Beaune is built on limestone: a lovely walk is set
on the ramparts and the Bourgeoise, a little and clear river
swims across the town with its high green grass that floats
with the water. The hospital yard offers lovely remains
of Gothic architecture. Nicolas Rolin, Chancellor of Philip,
Duke of Burgundy, founded that hospital in 1443 to which
Louis XI said it was only fair that Rolin, after having
made so many people poor should build a hospital to lodge
them all!" Mémoires d'un touriste
Despite the irony Stendhal attributes to Louis XI's words,
Nicolas Rolin had indeed decided to build a hospital for
the poor.
The reputation of the Beaune hospices grew as years went
by but kept its initial spirit of charity and care. Thanks
to many donations and offerings, the Hôtel-Dieu has
about 57 hectares of great vines.
Today the famous wine auctions of the Beaune hospices allow
the financing of charity activities. Every year, this charity
sale gathers all the burgundy lovers!
For a virtual visit of the Beaune Hospices: the historical
part and the present hospital, for more information on the
vineyard and the wine auctions, click
here !
The
tourist office of Beaune presents the town, its history
and local geography, the heritage that there is to discover
and useful information (accommodation, restaurants etc.).
The
town of Beaune was part of the independent and rebellious
Burgundy, the country of the Dukes of Burgundy. The dukedom
saw its territorial and artistic climax under the Valois;
Philip the Bold (1363-1404), John the Fearless (1404-1419),
Philip the Good (1419-1467) and Charles the Reckless (1467-1477)
made the region a powerful and radiating state even though
many hardships occurred during that period such as the Hundred
Years' War, the "bande des Ecorcheurs" (demobilised
soldiers who became extortioners raged through the Nivernais)
or the invasions of the troops of Louis XI to regain power.
The reputation of the Beaune hospices grew as years went
by but kept its initial spirit of charity and care. Thanks
to many donations and offerings, the Hôtel-Dieu has
about 57 hectares of great vines.
