Hospice de Beaune
Visit the Hospices de Beaune (Hôtel-Dieu). Marvel at the iconic glazed tile roofs, the Great Hall of the Poor, and the stunning 15th-century Last Judgment altarpiece in Burgundy.
Hospice de Beaune
Visit the Hospices de Beaune (Hôtel-Dieu). Marvel at the iconic glazed tile roofs, the Great Hall of the Poor, and the stunning 15th-century Last Judgment altarpiece in Burgundy.
15 Members like this place
About Hospice de Beaune
Add to favoritesThe history of the Hospices Civils de Beaune began in 1443 with the vision of Nicolas Rolin and Guigone de Salins to build a hospital: the Hôtel-Dieu. The founders undertook an act of charity and patronage, thus establishing a tradition that has allowed the Hospices de Beaune to thrive throughout history. The short-stay hospital offers the services of a hospital serving a city of 23,000 inhabitants (emergency room, intensive care, maternity ward, pediatrics, internal medicine, surgery, etc.). The unique character of this hospital lies in the significance and nature of its heritage, comprised of, on the one hand, a historical monument, the 15th-century Hôtel-Dieu, which has not housed patients or elderly residents since the early 1980s; and on the other hand, a prestigious 60-hectare wine estate encompassing some of Burgundy's finest appellations. All these vines come from bequests and donations, and their production is sold at auction every year on the third Sunday of November, as part of the world's most famous charity wine auction. Thus, through its heritage, this hospital plays a leading role in the two major activities of Beaune and its region: tourism and wine.
Tip for an even more exceptional visit.
For a smart visit to the Hospices de Beaune (the Hôtel-Dieu), the key is not to be distracted by the first few rooms, but to head straight for the Salle des Pôvres (Hall of the Poor). Beneath its immense vaulted ceiling, shaped like an upturned ship's hull, look up to spot the "engoulants," colorful figures that seem to be swallowing the beams: they bear witness to the humor of 15th-century craftsmen. For a truly immersive experience, linger over the details of the box beds; they reveal the revolutionary social and medical organization of the time, where physical and spiritual care were inseparable. The real treasure, Rogier van der Weyden's Last Judgment polyptych, requires tactical observation: use the magnifying glasses provided to scrutinize the expressions of the resurrected and the subtle details invisible to the naked eye. The true secret of connoisseurs? Once in the main courtyard, don't stay in the center; Stand under the covered galleries to admire the perfect geometry of the glazed tile roofs. It's here that the colors truly pop, even on a gray day. Finally, end your visit at the apothecary and its antique earthenware, a much less frequented area, to experience the scent and atmosphere of remedies from bygone days.
The stories of your visits (en-US)
Submit your review.
CHATEAU DE LA DAME BLANCHE
HOTEL VICTOR HUGO & SPA
CHATEAU D'ORIGNY
CHATEAU DE RIBOURDIN
LA MAISON DE RHODES
LA LICORNE HOTEL & SPA TROYES - MGALLERY COLLECTION
CHATEAU DE BLET
CHATEAU DES MARCULLY TALARU
