An emblematic museum at the heart of Beaune’s heritage
Before becoming a museum, this site was one of the residences of the ducal power. Its medieval architecture, political history, and its location in the historic center of Beaune make it a must-see for understanding the cultural influence of Burgundy. The Burgundy Wine Museum opened its doors in 1946 in a unique setting: the former Hôtel des Ducs de Bourgogne, a 14th-century building that bears witness to the power and refinement of the Dukes of Valois. Its sculpted stonework, solid wood roof structures, and vaulted cellars provide an authentic setting evoking the ancestral bond between the city of Beaune and its vineyards. Today, this museum is part of the City of Beaune and is part of a larger heritage trail that includes the Hospices de Beaune, the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame, and the ramparts. Together, these sites form a historical, cultural, and oenological golden triangle in the heart of Burgundy.
An exceptional collection on vines, wine, and expertise
The museum’s collections constitute an ethnographic and technical treasure. They tell the story of how wine has become, over the centuries, an economic and spiritual pillar of the region.
Ancient tools and handed down techniques
The exhibition presents more than 1,000 authentic objects and instruments, testifying to the work of winegrowers, coopers, brokers, and merchants. Among them:
- Wine presses, pruning shears, pruning tools, pruning hooks, and harvest axes, illustrating the evolution of vine cultivation techniques since the Middle Ages.
- Barrels, taps, bungs, and corkscrews retracing the history of cooperage and wine packaging. -* Old documents, registers, posters, and period labels demonstrate the evolution of the marketing and sales of Burgundy wine.
An immersive and educational scenography
The museum doesn’t just exhibit: it showcases winemaking culture through models, videos, interactive terminals, and sensory displays. Visitors can visualize the stages of winemaking—from pruning the vines to harvesting, from vinification to bottling—and understand the complexity of producing a grand cru. Thematic areas also explore geology, the biodiversity of the terroir, and the concept of vintage, allowing visitors to grasp the diversity of the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits appellations.
Humans at the Center of Wine Heritage
The museum showcases historical and contemporary figures in the vineyard: independent winegrowers, wine merchants, cooperatives, as well as institutions such as the INAO (National Institute of Wine and Wine Producers) and the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin (Brotherhood of Tastevin). The aim is to demonstrate that wine is first and foremost a collective work, the fruit of a dialogue between man, nature, and time.
The “Climats” of the Burgundy Vineyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Beaune Wine Museum devotes a significant portion of its exhibition to the Climats of the Burgundy Vineyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015. These “Climats” represent a unique organization of the winegrowing landscape, distinguishing Burgundy worldwide.
What is a “Climate”?
A Climat has nothing to do with the weather: it’s a vineyard plot defined centuries ago, with its own unique geological, microclimatic, and historical characteristics. Each Climat has a name, often dating back to the Middle Ages, and produces a wine with a distinctive profile. It illustrates the extreme precision of the Burgundy terroir, where a few meters can change the taste of a wine.
A Thousand-Year Heritage
The museum’s archives show how Cistercian and Benedictine monks shaped this mosaic of vineyards since the 12th century. Visitors discover ancient cadastral maps, appellation boundary plans, as well as topographical models reconstructing the Côte d’Or and its 1,247 Climats.
A Living Heritage
The exhibitions emphasize that these Climats are not static: they evolve with generations of winegrowers and current climate issues. Immersive videos show the harvest, the winemaking seasons, and the continuity of expertise passed down for nearly 1,000 years.
A Living Museum: Exhibitions, Tours, and Sensory Experiences
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The Beaune Wine Museum is not a static museum: it reinvents itself each season. Visitors are invited to enjoy a cultural, historical, and sensory experience through the city’s temporary exhibitions and wine events.
Guided Tours and Interactive Tours
Guided tours provide a deeper understanding of winemaking techniques and local traditions. Multilingual audio guides (French, English, Spanish, and German) facilitate discovery for foreign visitors. The museum also offers educational tours for children and families, as well as workshops on wine aromas and tasting.
Temporary Exhibitions and Partnerships
Each year, one or more temporary exhibitions focus on a specific theme:
- The role of women in the wine industry;
- The great historical vintages of Burgundy;
- The evolution of the wine trade through the centuries;
- Oenological and environmental innovations.
The museum works in collaboration with the Hospices de Beaune, the Tourist Office, wine estates, and local brotherhoods, particularly during the famous Hospices Wine Auction every November.
A local and international presence
Through its exhibitions and activities, the museum forges a strong connection between Beaune and the rest of the wine world. It participates in European wine-related events and helps promote the "Bourgogne" brand internationally.
Practical information: opening hours, access, prices, and services
The museum is located in the historic center of Beaune, a stone’s throw from the Hospices and the ramparts. It is accessible on foot from the train station or the surrounding parking lots.
Contact information and access
- Address: Hôtel des Ducs de Bourgogne, rue d’Enfer, 21200 Beaune
- Tel. : +33 (0)3 80 22 08 19
- Official website: beaune.fr
- Accessible on foot from the train station (10 min) or via the city center shuttles.
Opening Hours
- Generally open from March to November, every day except Tuesdays.
- Average hours: 10am–1pm and 2pm–6pm (varies by season).
- Closed during the winter from December to February and on public holidays.
Prices and Services
- Full price: around €5 / Concessions: €3.50 (students, seniors, groups).
- Free for children under 10.
- Specialty shop at the exit: wine books, souvenirs, posters, and regional products.
- Documentation and multimedia room for researchers or wine enthusiasts.
Why visit the Beaune Wine Museum?
Visiting the Beaune Wine Museum is a chance to immerse yourself in the very essence of Burgundy’s terroir, understand the evolution of a way of life, and appreciate the connection between nature, expertise, and culture.
For wine and history enthusiasts
The museum offers a comprehensive look at the production, marketing, and symbolism of wine. It helps place the great Burgundy appellations in their historical and social context.
For curious visitors and families
Thanks to its lively display and educational workshops, the museum is suitable for all ages. It’s an enriching opportunity to understand what wine represents for the region: heritage, expertise, and passion.
For the link between heritage and modernity
Between centuries-old traditions and contemporary innovations, the museum sheds light on the transformation of the wine world in the face of climate and globalization challenges.
