Place Carnot

Welcome to Place Carnot, the vibrant heart of Beaune where everything comes together—bustling shops, lively café terraces, early-morning strollers and evening wanderers. This is a square full of life and history, where heritage blends effortlessly with the art of living. Named after Sadi Carnot, the French president assassinated in 1894, the square itself dates back much further. Since the Middle Ages, it’s been a hub of trade and gathering, once home to markets for grain, cloth and livestock. That spirit of exchange is still alive today—especially on Saturday mornings, when colourful market stalls fill the square and locals come together just as they have for centuries. Look around and you’ll see elegant façades from the 18th and 19th centuries, some of them hiding vaulted cellars that speak to Beaune’s long history as a centre for wine and commerce. At the centre, a graceful fountain adds a cooling touch, and the tree-shaded terraces are always full of life. Cafés, brasseries, boutiques—everything here invites you to slow down and soak it all in. In summer, the square becomes a stage, hosting concerts, street performances and open-air shows. And come November, during the famous Hospices wine auction, it’s one of the most festive spots in town, buzzing with tastings, music and celebration.