Hospices de Beaune: The World's Greatest Wine Charity

How to Complete

4 steps curated by Wine Memories

1. ⛰️ 1

   Photograph the Polychrome Roof

   adventure Free

   The iconic multi-colored glazed tile roof is Burgundy's most famous image.

   The exterior is visible from Place de la Halle. For the best photo angle, stand in the northwest corner of the courtyard (you can see this from outside through the gate). The tiles form geometric patterns in yellow, brown, red, and green. Best light: midday for color saturation.

   🍷 Log Memory
2. 📜 2

   Enter the Grand Salle des Malades

   history $

   The 72m medieval hospital ward where patients were treated for 500 years.

   Entry ~€10. The Grand Salle (Great Hall of the Poor) is the first room you enter - 72 meters long with carved oak beds lining both walls. Each bed had red curtains and a view of the chapel altar so patients could observe mass. Walk the full length slowly.

   🍷 Log Memory
3. 📜 3

   Find the Last Judgment Altarpiece

   history $

   Rogier van der Weyden's 1445 masterpiece - one of art history's greatest paintings.

   In the museum section, find the dark room with controlled lighting. The polyptych is displayed open so you can see all nine panels. Stand back and find the soul being weighed on Saint Michael's scales - the terror on the damned faces is unforgettable.

   🍷 Log Memory
4. 🍷 4

   Attend the November Auction (Epic)

   Optional

   wine $$$$

   The third Sunday in November - the wine world descends on Beaune.

   Held the third Sunday of November at the Halles de Beaune. Free to attend as spectator, but bidding requires registration with Sotheby's. Arrive by 2pm for the best atmosphere. In 2025, 539 lots raised €18.75 million for hospital modernization.

   🍷 Log Memory

Insider Tips

• ✦

  Nicolas Rolin, who founded the Hospices in 1443, was Chancellor to Duke Philip the Good - ask about his tax-funded guilt motivation

• ✦

  The 'Pièce des Présidents' charity barrel sells for €300-400K - watch the bidding war

• ✦

  Stay in Beaune the night before the auction - the town transforms into a wine festival

• ✦

  Wines from the Hospices auction are bottled by négociants and available commercially (look for 'Hospices de Beaune' on labels)