The weather the past few days has been a little inclement so in between showers we have been getting out and about in near by Beaune.

The most iconic of the attractions in Beaune is the Hostel Dieu, a hospital for the poor established in 1443 and continued until 1971. It has now been restored to some originality and is a museum that is very popular with tourists. The outstanding roof made of glazed tiles and arranged in colourful patterns that is characteristic of the wealth of the owners in the region of Burgundy. Nicolas Rolin, chancellor to the Duke of Burgundy, and his wife Guigone were instrumental in caring for the poorer citizens of Beaune and their wealth built the hospital and employed the medics and religious nuns to care for its patients. Over the years a section was set aside to care for wealthy dying patients who then bequeathed some of their money to the continuation of the hospital for the poor.

The Collégiale Notre-Dame has a lovely little garden in its cloister.

The new Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne (wine centre) only opened on the 17th June an on the day we visited they were still in the process of setting up their business. I’m sure it will be very nice when they are up and running.

The Mustard shop Edmond Fallot la Moutarderie was interesting but though the tour times didn’t suit us so we had to make do with just visiting the shop. I can’t tell you how may different mustards were on display.