A Visit to Beaune, France

• Report rights infringement
• published: 04 Mar 2013
• views: 21954

A Visit to Beaune, France - The Capital of Burgundy Wine Country including the Hospices de Beaune (Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune). During our classic Burgundy cruise aboard hotel barge L'Impressionniste we cross the premier cru vineyards into Beaune, capital of Burgundy wine country with a history going back over 2,000 years. We absorb the fascinating 15th century Hotel Dieu Hospice and visit a local winery's cellars to sample some fine local wines. The capital of the Burgundy wine country, Beaune is one of the best preserved medieval cities in the region. Until the 14th century, Beaune was the residence of the Ducs de Bourgogne. In 1477 it was annexed by Louis XI. First a Gallic sanctuary and then a Roman town, Beaune is now a mecca for wine lovers. This thriving town is surrounded by ramparts and has a labyrinth of caves (wine cellars). During its three-day festival and wine auction in November, free wine-tastings draw huge crowds, many of whom arrive thirsty and leave tipsy. The Hôtel-Dieu, a charity hospital funded by the sale of wines produced on lands donated by its benefactors, was, until 1971, a working hospital. It had been constructed originally to provide free care for men who had fought in the Hundred Years' War. Today, the Musée de l'Hôtel-Dieu displays Flemish-Burgundian art. Its Grand Salle, 165 feet long, has its original furniture. The 12 Passenger Hotel Barge L'Impressionniste -- the Lower Burgundy Canal Sister ship to La Belle Epoque, L'Impressionniste began life as a cargo barge in Holland before undergoing a complete transformation into the gorgeous hotel barge she is today. Her light and airy interior features picture windows and a selection of prints, fabrics and wall coverings reminiscent of the era after which she has been named, while each comfortable cabin is complemented by an en suite shower. The spacious saloon has also been upgraded with the addition of some comfortable leather sofas and individually designed fitted furniture. A week cruising aboard L'Impressionniste on the Burgundy Canal introduces you to a wonderful blend of Burgundian countryside, history and viticulture. For more information please see: http://www.gobarging.com/l-impressionniste-barge Burgundy Burgundy boasts some of the world's finest wines with around 60,000 acres of sunlit vines and arguably the prettiest canals in France. The Burgundy Canal winds its way in smooth curves through the heart of renowned wine growing areas such as Chablis, Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits, or rises steeply through a flight of locks that appear like staircases. The Nivernais Canal meanders alongside the picturesque River Yonne, through a largely undiscovered region near the Morvan Hills, passing sleepy villages and Charolais cattle grazing in the lush pastures. This is the original home of hotel barging with its hand-swung bridges and old logging sites, and where time seems to have stood still for centuries. The landscape around the Burgundy Canal is one of rolling hills eroded over the centuries and covered in forests of oak, maple and pine and where spring, summer and autumn each leave a unique signature. Medieval towns are surrounded by unspoilt countryside and the wonderful markets have stalls brimming with fresh local products cultivated on the fertile plains. This is a region with a vast variety of cheeses, in all shapes, sizes and colours, strong in character or mild and fresh and all can be enjoyed with full-bodied red Burgundies, or perhaps with lighter white Chablis wines. Burgundy's gastronomic tradition is certainly rich and diverse and a sedate cruise on a hotel barge along one of its delightful waterways will allow you to indulge in good food and wine, two of the real pleasures in life. For more information please see: http://www.gobarging.com/cruises-in-burgundy http://www.gobarging.com/ *Music by Crocodile Music