Place Monge

Place Monge

The Beaune audio-guided tour leads you to Place Monge, one of the oldest in the town. Lined with old facades and shaded by a few trees, it pays tribute to Gaspard Monge, a mathematician born in Beaune in 1746.

A scholar of the Enlightenment

Gaspard Monge is best known for having founded descriptive geometry, a discipline essential to modern engineering. He played an important role during the French Revolution, taking part in the creation of the Ecole polytechnique and the establishment of the metric system. He even accompanied Bonaparte to Egypt to lead a scientific mission there. His statue, at the centre of the square, recalls the exceptional path of this enlightened mind.

What there is to see

At the centre of the square stands the statue of Gaspard Monge; nearby rises the belfry, whose tower dominates the district. Lined with cafes and shops, Place Monge is a pleasant place to be, bearing witness to Beaune's attachment to its great figures. It is a peaceful stop during the discovery of the historic centre.

Practical information

Place Monge can be seen freely, in the open air, in the historic centre of Beaune, near the belfry. It is accessible at any time. Cafes, restaurants and shops line the square and follow their own hours. It is a central landmark for finding your way around the town.

Who was Gaspard Monge ?

A mathematician born in Beaune in 1746, he founded descriptive geometry and took part in the creation of the Ecole polytechnique.

What is on Place Monge ?

The statue of Gaspard Monge at its centre and, nearby, the belfry that dominates the district.