May 29, 2025 Rick Steves day 11 beautiful burgundy

Proposed Plan:

This morning we’ll hop aboard our bus and roll into the French countryside, passing pastures and vineyards en route to the “profoundly French” town of Beaune, in the heart of Burgundy. We’ll take an orientation walk through Beaune, visit the Hôtel Dieu — the town’s medieval hospital — and discover why Burgundy’s wine is world-renowned as we enjoy a tasting together. You’ll have ample free time to explore the many charms of village France and find dinner on your own.

Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. Bus: 5 hours. Sleep in Beaune.

Actual Events:

We woke up in Murren and walked to the gondola station for our last ride with the stupendous views of the valley below and the numerous water falls. It was sad to leave the Alps but we traded that for the beautiful French countryside with rolling hills covered with vineyards. Our lunch stop was at a French shopping mall with a variety of chain restaurants including Burger King. The increase in temperature was a welcome change from the Alps We removed several layers of clothing and headed out to explore the mall. We found a bistro that served French dishes but we opted for the familiar and chose fish and chips. It was very tasty and filling.

We arrived in Beaune in the early afternoon and we were given a wine tasting tour of the cellars of a winery that dates back to the 1700s. The Burgundy region is known for its wines made from the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. The guide explained the intricacies of French wine making. It was bit over our heads but the wine tasted oh so good!

Then we were given a tour of a hospital from the 1400s that has been turned into a museum. I opted out of the tour but Nick went. It was one of the first hospitals in Europe. There was a large courtyard in the center of the building complex which offered views of the colorful glazed tiles which adorned the roof. Inside one of the rooms was displayed with 30 beds on the perimeter. This large room had a beautiful stained glass window and art work that was similar to a church. The artwork throughout the complex was quite impressive.

The Old Town of Beaune was very lively due to the fact that this weekend is a French holiday. We wandered a bit and then found a restaurant that offered Beef Burgundy on the menu. The bowl appeared small at first but then as you dug deeper it was a challenge to finish this tasty dish.