A Great Place to Stay in Beaune, France, and a Few Things to Do While You’re There
Beaune is the wine capital of Burgundy and one of those small towns that feels like it was made for wandering. The cobblestone streets, medieval architecture, and excellent food make it the perfect stop, whether you’re exploring Burgundy for a day, passing through, or staying for a long weekend.
On our drives from Paris down to Provence and the flea markets, we always break up the trip and spend the first night in Beaune. A three-hour drive (312 km) from Paris to Beaune, after an overnight flight with very little sleep, seems reasonable and safe. It’s a great way to break up an otherwise seven-hour drive.
On our most recent trip, we decided to mix things up a bit and stay at a different hotel. Our choice was Hôtel des Tonneliers, a historic building that has been converted into two parts. One side is a 2-star hotel that’s simple, comfortable, and budget-friendly. The other is a 3-star option that offers more comfort while still being very reasonable. We chose the 3-star side, and it was the perfect balance of charm, convenience, and affordability.
The name of the hotel comes from the French term, Tonneliers (a cooper in English). A cooper is a skilled craftsman who makes caskets and barrels for aging and storing wine and spirits. This traditional craft involves selecting the best fine-grained French oak, aging it, shaping it, making the barrels, and then toasting the inside of the barrels. All that contributes to the flavors and aromas of the liquids that are stored in them.
France is known for making some of the highest-quality barrels in the entire world, and it’s a critical part of the wine industry globally.
Hotel des Tonneliers and the rooms
The hotel was originally built as a private mansion in the 17th century. The owners were a family of coopers.
In later years, it was renovated to become a hotel. Today’s iteration is owned by Bruno and Emmanuelle Epailly. The family also owns other historic hotels in Beaune.
Preserved architectural features
Some of the original architectural features have been preserved through its multiple renovations.
- The exterior courtyard still remains today, and there are small tables and chairs you can use.
- The indoor courtyard is where breakfast is served, and it features a Gustave Eiffel-style glass roof.
- The grand staircase with its wrought-iron railing is still in place.
- Some rooms have maintained their authentic period-style decorations.
- Select rooms also feature some of the fireplaces of the original mansion.
Modern amenities
Even though they have been able to maintain their historical focus, the hotel has been successful with including the modern necessities we all need, like soundproofing the walls, having good wifi, and air conditioning. They also have a great wine bar inside the hotel.
Why a two and three-star hotel under one roof?
During the COVID pandemic, when occupancy restrictions existed, in order to keep the business going, they divided the structure into two different hotels. This was their clever way of having more available rooms and generating enough revenue to sustain the business during that challenging period of time.
Beyond the hotel
Beyond the hotel, Beaune has plenty to offer, including historic sites such as the old church, the ramparts and walls that surround the city, wine cellars, and wonderful restaurants that focus on the flavors of Burgundy. It’s the kind of town that just makes you slow down, enjoy a glass of wine, and take in the beauty of the region.
During the evenings after dinner, we love to stroll through all the cobblestone streets and do some window shopping at a few of the local boutiques. Each evening usually ends with a stop at one of the gelato shops.
The markets
Every Wednesday and Saturday morning in Beaune, there is a Farmer’s Market in the city center. And from March through November, the Saturday market includes a flea market that basically takes over the town.
Here’s a link for updates on all the markets throughout Burgundy.
Our favorite restaurant in Beaune
Whenever passing through Beaune, we make it a point to stop in and have either lunch or dinner at Brasserie Carnot. For lunch, try the Chef’s burger (Le Burger à l’Epoisses du Carnot). It’s served with the requisite side of French fries and a bistro salad. It is quite possibly the best burger we have ever had. And for dinner, you can’t go wrong with the Bourguignon de bœuf charolais (boeuf bourguignon), a classic Burgundy dish served with noodles. Coq au vin is also a local favorite.
Fun fact
When driving into the Beaune region or anywhere in Burgundy really, you can’t help but notice all the vineyards and the beautiful views of the hills, and pastures full of large white cattle called Charolais. It’s a breed of cattle indigenous to the region that’s famous for its size, horns, white coats, and high-quality beef. Brasserie Carnot only uses this high-quality beef in their restaurant, which is one reason why it’s so delicious!
The Cook’s Atelier
A trip to Beaune would not be complete without a stop to visit the beautiful shop The Cook‘s Atelier. It’s a wonderful shop right in the heart of Beaune. In the shop, you’ll find a wide selection of cooking and baking tools, as well as a large assortment of vintage and new copper pots, preserving pans, and crocks. A basket of copper-handled whisks, featured on the cover of their cookbook, also graces the space.
If you have the time and are interested in cooking and baking, they do offer cooking classes. Here’s a link to their 2026 classes and dates.
Beaune may not be as famous as Paris or Provence, but I think that’s part of its charm. It has great historic hotels, like Hôtel des Tonneliers, incredible markets, and amazing food and wine. It’s the kind of town that leaves a lasting impression. For us, it’s become a favorite stop on the way to Provence—a place to rest, recharge, and experience a little piece of Burgundy. If you’re planning a trip through France, you might want to consider a stop in Beaune. And if you do, please let us know and share your photos!
