You’re now standing in front of one of Burgundy’s most iconic landmarks: the Hospices de Beaune, also known as the Hôtel-Dieu. You can’t miss its dazzling roof tiles, shimmering in bright reds, greens, yellows and blacks, forming bold diamond patterns that catch the light and give the building an almost magical glow. From the outside, the façade might seem modest, but step through the doors and you'll find a breathtaking inner courtyard with timber-framed galleries, sculpted dormer windows and steep gables—an elegant blend of beauty and practicality, all designed to let in light and create a sense of harmony and ease. This masterpiece of flamboyant Gothic architecture was founded in 1443, just after the Hundred Years’ War, when Beaune was reeling from poverty and disease. Nicolas Rolin, chancellor to the Duke of Burgundy, decided to build a hospital for the poor—more than just a place of care, it was meant to be a sanctuary of light and dignity for those with nothing. Inside, patients were treated free of charge by a devoted community of nuns, in large communal halls like the famous Salle des Pôvres, with its soaring wooden ceiling shaped like an overturned boat. The complex was cutting-edge for its time, with a pharmacy, gardens, a chapel built right into the patients’ path, and even advanced kitchens. But the Hospices are more than just a historic hospital—they’re also a wine estate. Over the centuries, generous donors gave the foundation parcels of vineyard land, many of which are now ranked among the finest in Burgundy. Every year, the legendary Hospices wine auction draws buyers and wine lovers from around the world, with proceeds still helping to preserve the building and support its charitable mission. The Hospices continued to operate as a hospital right up until 1971. Today, it’s a museum like no other, offering a moving journey through six centuries of care, faith and winemaking tradition.