{"id":9782,"date":"2022-02-03T17:34:08","date_gmt":"2022-02-03T17:34:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/hospices-de-beaune\/"},"modified":"2023-11-10T10:02:18","modified_gmt":"2023-11-10T10:02:18","slug":"hospices-de-beaune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/en\/hospices-de-beaune\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hospices de Beaune"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the midst of beautiful vineyards, the Hospices de Beaune are a gothic gem nestled in the historic center of Beaune in Burgundy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udc49 The Captain’s top picks<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Accommodation, flights, transport, excursions … You’ll find all the Captain’s recommendations at the end of the article<\/a>!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Brief history of the Hospices de Beaune<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chronology<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Hospices de\nwere created in 1443, at the end of the Hundred Years War. The people of Beaune had been severely affected\nby this long and bloody conflict between France and the United Kingdom, and as a result\nlived in poverty and destitution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nicolas Rolin, Chancellor of the\nDuke of Burgundy Philippe le Bon, and his wife, Guigonne de Salins,\ndecided to found a H\u00f4tel-Dieu: a hospital administered by the Church\nand intended to tend to the poor. Why this charitable and philanthropic gesture? The couple thus thought to buy their salvation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Care at the Hospices de\nBeaune were free. How was that possible, you may ask? Nicolas Rolin donateed farmlands, vineyards and woodlands\nto his new H\u00f4tel-Dieu. To administer these lands and take care of the sick, he\nestablished the order of the “S\u0153urs hospitali\u00e8res de Beaune”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nicolas Rolin’s project\nwas perpetuated in the centuries that followed. The donations of many nobles and\nwealthy citizens make it possible not only to maintain, but even to enlarge the H\u00f4tel-Dieu.\nThe Hospices de Beaune remained in operation until 1984, when\noperations were transfered to a brand new\nhospital. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listed as a Historic Monument,\nthe Hospices de Beaune are now home to a museum:\na must-see for any visitor exploring Burgundy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Hospices<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

La Grande Vadrouille and\nthe Hospices of Beaune<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Set in the Hospices de Beaune,\n“La Grande Vadrouille” (“the Great Stroll”)\nis a classic of French cinema.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The movie was shot in C\u00f4te d’Or, among the vineyards of Burgundy. Set during the Second World War, “La Grande Vadrouille” recounts the adventures of two Frenchmen who help a group of English soldiers make their way through German-occupied France to safe territory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Hospices<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Visiting the\nHospices de Beaune<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The architecture of\nthe Hospices de Beaune<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Hospices de Beaunes are particularly famous for\nunique glazed-tile roofs, which are\na trademark of the architecture of Burgundy. The colored tiles (red, brown, green and yellow) form\nintertwining geometric patterns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harmonious and perfectly\npreserved, the Hospices de Beaune are also a marvelous example of Gothic architecture,\ninspired by the architecture of Flanders (a region located in modern-day Belgium which was long under the domination of the Dukes\nof Burgundy). The finials, gilded with gold leaf, are also\nquite striking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Hospices<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Hospices<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The Room of the Poor (Salle des P\u00f4vres)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Room of the Poor is undoubtedly the most impressive room in the Hospices de Beaune. With its colossal dimensions (50 meters long, 40 meters wide and 16 meters high) and its painted frame in the shape of an upside-down boat-skiff, the Room of the Poor looks just like a cathedral. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On either side of the room, two rows of beds accommodated the sick who were cared for in the hospices. On the floor, the tiles feature Nicolas Rolin’s monogram, as well as his motto, “Seulle \u2b50”, meaning that his wife, Guigonne de Salins, is the only star in his eyes. How not to be moved by this beautiful declaration of love?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Hospice<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Hospices<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The same motto\ncan be found on the walls of the Chapel, at the end of the Room of the Poor. Be sure to have a look at\nthe sumptuous stained glass windows. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Hospices<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Hospices<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Salle St Hugues et\nSalle Saint Nicolas (St Hughes & St Nicholas Rooms)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Salle Saint-Hugues and the Salle Saint-Nicolas,\nwhich were both designed in the 17th century, also accommodated\nthe patients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both were\nbuilt thanks to donations from generous benefactors: Ma\u00eetre Hugues\nB\u00e9tault and none other than Louis XIV. The\nKing had indeed been shocked to discover that men and women were hitherto\ncared for together. He therefore established an annuity in order to make the adjustments\nnecessary for their separation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t miss the\nimpressive wall paintings in the Salle Saint-Hugues, designed by the\nParisian painter Isaac Moillon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Hospices<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The kitchens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In operation until 1985, the kitchens have now resumed their appearance from the beginning of the 20th century. Don’t miss the Gothic double hearth fireplace, as well as the brushed steel rotisserie dating from 1698. The little automaton even has a name: \u201cMessire Bertrand\u201d! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll find Nicolas Rolin’s motto,\n“Seulle \u2b50”, in the hearth\nof the fireplace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kitchen<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The pharmacy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The pharmacy is one of Captain Ulysse’s favorite rooms at the Hospices de Beaune. Many mysterious decoctions and plants with medicinal properties are stored in magnificent earthenware pots in the large wooden shelves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The apothecary sisters\nprepared remedies for the sick in the hospices in this pharmacy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Pharmacy<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Earthenware<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The Polyptych\nAltarpiece<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Painted in the 15th century, the famous Polyptych Altarpiece is the work of Flemish painter Rogier van der Weyden. The interior of the altarpiece is made up of 9 vertical and mobile panels, representing the Last Judgment. The exterior features 6 painted panels: Nicolas Rolin and Guigonne de Salins are represented in prayer, while the Annunciation, Saint Sebastian and Saint Antoine appear in trompe-l’\u0153il. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The polyptych altarpiece is\nexhibited in a dedicated room, with a selection of works of art (tapestries,\netc), but it was originally hung above the altar in the Chapel.\nThe polyptych altarpiece remained closed most of the time, but the sick could\nadmire the interior panels on Sundays and feast days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Polyptych<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The collections of\nthe Hospices de Beaune<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gothic chests, tapestries, stained glass windows and statues are exhibited throughout the Hospices de Beaune. These diverse and varied artworks bear witness to the rich Burgundian cultural heritage, but also to the importance of the H\u00f4tel-Dieu over the centuries. Many nobles and bourgeois donated part of their fortune to the Hospices in the hope of buying their salvation, like Nicolas Rolin and Guigonne de Salins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Statue<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Stained<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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What about the\nvineyards? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The vineyards are at the heart of Burgundian culture and have played a key role in the history of the Hospices de Beaune. In the 15th century, Nicolas Rolin donated extensive vinyards to the H\u00f4tel-Dieu. Today, the wine estate of the Hospices de Beaune is spread over approximately 60 hectares, with 85% of Premiers Crus and Grands Crus, mostly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

22 winegrowers maintain this prestigious wine estate. The wine production of the Hospices de Beaune is auctioned each year on the third Sunday of November. The cellars are then open to the public on Saturday all day and on Sunday morning for tastings. The profits are entirely devoted to the maintenance of the premises and the improvement of the equipment of the hospital of Beaune. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Access<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Admission<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Planning on visiting the Hospices de Beaune? You can either:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 Visit of the Hospices de Beaune on your own:<\/strong> an audio guide, available in 10 languages (including French, English, German and Spanish) is included. Admission is \u20ac8.50 per person full price, \u20ac6 for students, \u20ac4 for visitors aged 10 to 18. The visit is free for children under 10. If you’re visiting the H\u00f4tel-Dieu de Beaune with a group of over 10 people, admission fees will only be \u20ac7 per person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 Opt for a guided tour of the Hospices de Beaune:<\/strong> you can book a one-hour guided tour directly with the Hospices Beaune. The visit is also available in several languages. The price is \u20ac72 for a guided tour during opening hours, \u20ac105 for a guided tour outside opening hours (50 participants maximum). To book your guided tour: +33 (0)3 80 24 45 00 \/ hospices.beaune@ch-beaune.fr<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 You can also combine your visit to the Hospices de Beaune with a discovery of the surrounding vineyards:<\/strong> find out more<\/strong><\/a><\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting to the Hospices de Beaune<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Hospices de Beaune are located in the historic center of the city. To get to Beaune, several possibilities: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 By car:<\/strong> Beaune is easily accessible from the A6, A31 and A38 motorways. From Paris, the drive will take you 3 to 3,5 hour. From Dijon, the drive takes 30 to 40 minutes. If you’re planning on booking a car to explore Burgundy, Captain Ulysse recommends Rentalcars<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 By train:<\/strong> Beaune station is served by regular trains from Dijon. From Paris, you can take a TGV to Dijon (about 1hr40) then take the regional train running from Dijon to Beaune. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exploring the surroundings\nof the Hospices de Beaune<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You’ll find plenty to do around Beaune! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Captain Ulysse recommends exploring the Burgundy vineyards (Nuits-Saint-George, Meursault, Aloxe-Corton…) to discover the excellent wines of Burgundy and recommends these 3 visits in particular: <\/p>\n\n\n\n