Hospices de Beaune

Building Medieval hospital in Beaune with iconic polychrome roof

A 15th-century hospice in Beaune, the Hospices de Beaune is noted for its polychrome tiled roof, medieval wards and an annual wine auction; visitors tour its preserved interiors and museum.

Main image

The Hospices de Beaune, also known as the Hôtel-Dieu of Beaune, is a former charitable hospital in Beaune, Burgundy, France, founded in 1443. It is famous for its preserved medieval hospital complex and colourful Burgundian tiled roof.

The complex includes the original hospital wards and a richly decorated chapel with 15th-century architecture and interior fittings; the glazed polychrome tile roof is a distinctive visual feature. The site functions as a museum and cultural venue and is widely visited by tourists to Burgundy.

Established in the mid-15th century to care for the poor, the Hospices operated as a medical institution for centuries; its endowment was supported by charitable gifts and later by wine bequests. In the 19th and 20th centuries the historic buildings were preserved and converted for museum use while the charitable foundation continued to manage vineyards and the annual wine auction.

The Hospices are located in the centre of Beaune in the Burgundy region of eastern France, within the historic town known for its wine industry and proximity to Burgundy vineyard areas.

  • Founding: Founded in 1443 by Chancellor Nicolas Rolin and his wife Guigone de Salins as a charitable hospital for the poor.
  • Wine auction: Home to a famous annual wine auction first held in 1859, which raises funds for the institution's historic endowment.
Hospices de Beaune
Hôtel-Dieu (Hospices de Beaune), 3 Rue de l'Hôtel-Dieu, 21200 Beaune, France
47.0219, 4.8367
Daily 9:00am-6:00pm (extended in high season); check seasonal variations
€12-€15 adult (museum); discounts for students and seniors; wine-tasting and auction events separately priced

How to Get to Hospices de Beaune #

Beaune is on the Dijon-Lyon rail corridor. From Gare de Beaune a 10-15 minute walk leads through the old town to Rue de l’Hôtel-Dieu. Regional buses and taxis also serve the centre.

Tips for Visiting Hospices de Beaune #

  • Arrive before midday to tour the hospital kitchens and the medieval ward rooms before guided groups arrive.
  • Buy a ticket that includes the wine cellar if available - the Hospices' 15th-century cellar is one of the site's most evocative spaces.
  • Check the calendar: the famous wine auction takes place the third Sunday of November and drastically changes the town's rhythm.

Best Time to Visit Hospices de Beaune #

Best in spring or autumn; the wine-auction weekend in November is famous but very crowded.

Autumn
Sep-Nov · 8-18°C
Grape harvest and the famous Hospices auction (third Sunday in November) create a charged, celebratory atmosphere.
Spring
Apr-Jun · 8-20°C
Garden beds recover from winter; fewer crowds and pleasant light for photographs.

Weather & Climate near Hospices de Beaune #

Climate

Hospices de Beaune's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 25°C. Moderate rainfall (807 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 32 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
40°
Warmest Month
-15°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

63 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.8h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

56 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
10.1h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
15°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

60 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
13.5h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. The wettest month with 89 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

62 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
19°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

89 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
14.9h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
12° 23°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

75 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
15.7h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
15° 25°
69%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

63 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
15.3h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
14° 25°
69%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
14.1h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

73 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

73 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.7h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

75 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.2h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

66 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.3h daylight

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