Beaune

Beaune is the wine capital of Burgundy and home to the Hospices de Beaune.

The Hospices de Beaune was founded in 1443 as a hospital for the poor.

The Hundred Years' War ended eight years earlier, but marauding mercenaries without contracts still ravaged the French countryside. These groups were called ecorcheurs, which literally means flayers. The chancellor of Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, built the hospital to help destitute peasants infected with the plague.

The Pope had to give his permission to build the hospital because it was to be run by a religious order.

The hospital was in operation until 1971.

Burgundy glazed-tile roofs were inspired by similar roofs found in Central Europe.

Nicolas Rolin was Philip the Good's chancellor and helped establish Burgundy's independence as a result of the Hundred Years' War. 

The Beaune Wine Auction has occurred annually since 1859, selling wine grown on land owned by the hospital. The wine is sold by Sotheby's; in other words, it was too expensive for us.

Gaston Gerard Chicken!