Marie of Burgundy Gate

Rising before you is one of the last remaining fortified gates of Beaune: the Porte Marie de Bourgogne. With its slim silhouette and pointed roof covered in glazed tiles, it looks like something pulled straight from the pages of a history book. Built in the 15th century, this tower was once part of the ramparts that protected the town, marking its northern entrance and serving both as a lookout and a statement piece to impress visitors. It takes its name from Mary of Burgundy, daughter of the powerful Duke Charles the Bold, heir to a thriving duchy… and destined for a tragic end. Thrown from her horse at just 25, she left behind the legacy of a key figure in the closing chapter of Burgundy’s medieval story. At the foot of the tower stands the Tourist Office, set in a sleek modern building that contrasts beautifully with the old gate. Right next door, the Museum of Fine Arts welcomes you inside the town’s former grain hall. Its collection stretches from the Middle Ages to contemporary art, with several works rooted in the region’s rich history—making it the perfect place to kick off your journey through Beaune. And just behind you, don’t miss the striking bronze sculpture called The Kiss by British artist Paul Day. Installed in 2025 and standing around three metres tall, it was inspired by his famous piece The Lovers at St Pancras Station in London—a couple caught in a timeless embrace, frozen in a moment of tenderness.