Lots to do in Beaune today.

Let’s start by sleeping in after yesterday’s fine evening meal. Then a quick trip to the boulangerie for “baked goods”. Then the realization that this is market day and that must be seen.

After the market a walk over to the Hotel-Dieu de Beaune. otherwise known as the Hospice de Beaune. The hospital was started by Nicolas Rolin, chancellor to the Duke of Burgandy and his wife, Guigone de Salins, in 1443 as a “palace for the poor”.

Over the years the hospice became the owner of several important pieces of wine producing property and the famous wine auction enabled the hospice to be self supporting.

The inside courtyard and the famous tiles.

The ward room – with individual bed cubicles around the outside and common eating area in the centre.

The ward is watched over by this statue and upper windows from which the nursing nuns could keep an eye on things.

At the other end of the ward is a chapel.

The ceiling is elaborately painted.

Nice little grotesques.

There are some displays of ancient surgical tools – looks like if you were healthy enough to survive the treatment you might live.

Next, on to the pharmacy with our favourite “things in jars”.

They were fond of treatments involving toxic chemicals.

Also found reason to have a therapeutic still for concentrating various essences. It all looks a bit alchemical.

Exit via a display of very nice tapestries and a fine painting involving the sorting of souls then the inevitable gift shop.

Now a good lunch at the restaurant Le P’tit Paradise at 25 Rue Paradis. That after having abandoned another restaurant which seemed not interested in customers or service.

Then its a walk over to the wine merchants Pere Patriarche et Fils. Patriarche has a huge cellar under what was the Convent of the Visitation. I was here many years ago and it has changed a little. Still a self guided tour underground but the candles have been replaced with led lights; there is less wine on tasting (but still excellent) and a bit more promotion and sales. We basically had the place to ourselves.

Its wine heaven..

I think they said 2.5 million bottles in the cellars.

Back to our Airbnb and the sunny courtyard to rest.

Tomorrow its on the Frankfurt – we are getting close to the end of this trip. M&M.