Visit the City of Climats and Burgundy Wines in Beaune
Recently inaugurated, the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne in Beaune has established itself as a symbolic place to discover the heritage and variety of rural vineyards. This ambitious project, designed for wine enthusiasts and beginners alike, aims to promote the history, know-how and wine heritage of the wine region. This immersive place goes far beyond the status of a simple museum: it is a fun experience that immerses visitors in the unique world of Burgundy wine.
The new Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne in Beaune: a captivating exploration in the heart of Burgundy.
Recently inaugurated, Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne in Beaune has established itself as a symbolic place to discover the heritage and variety of rural vineyards. This ambitious project, designed for wine enthusiasts and beginners alike, aims to promote the history, know-how and wine heritage of the wine region. This immersive place goes far beyond the status of a simple museum: it is a fun experience that immerses visitors in the unique world of Burgundy wine.
The roots and objectives of the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne in Beaune
The idea of creating the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne in Beaune stems from the desire to highlight and explore the wine identity of Burgundy. This area has been famous for centuries for the remarkable quality of its wines and for its iconic vineyards, each with its own unique history. In response to the rise of wine tourism, local stakeholders wanted to establish an information centre for anyone interested in learning more about Burgundy wines.
The Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bourgogne (BIVB), an association of winegrowers and merchants in the sector, initiated the project. It aimed to create a contemporary and affordable venue that would attract tourists from a variety of backgrounds, while preserving local culture and customs. The Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne in Beaune is one of three wine cities located in Burgundy, associated with Mâcon and Chablis, each highlighting the particularities of its territory.
A unique architecture
The architecture of the building designed by the architect Emmanuelle Andreani, both refined and modern, pays homage to the lines of the vineyards and the fluidity of the urban panoramas. The place aspires, according to the calendar, to be transformed into a center of exchanges, discoveries and learning for residents, tourists and professionals in the field.
An immersive experience to understand viticulture in Burgundy
The world of Burgundy wine is explored in an immersive and interactive way in the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne in Beaune. This route, designed as a sensory and educational journey, is subdivided into various thematic areas. Here are the essential components of the visit.
• Permanent exhibitions: immersion in local history and culture
The permanent exhibition space is dedicated to the history, geology and variety of the territories of Burgundy. Interactive tools and digital installations allow visitors to follow the vineyard's journey from Gallo-Roman times to the contemporary period. The multitude of climates and soils that give Burgundy wines their uniqueness are illustrated by detailed models and plans. Particular importance is given to the concept of "climat", a word specific to Burgundy to designate the various vineyard plots with distinctive characteristics. The Burgundy wine identity is essentially based on the notion of climate, and the exhibition details how each climate is cultivated and vinified in a particular way.
• Tasting sessions: awakening the senses
The Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne in Beaune offers a variety of tasting workshops to enrich your knowledge and cultivate your sense of wine. These workshops, led by sommeliers and wine specialists, offer the opportunity to explore the variety of Burgundy grape varieties (especially Pinot Noir and Chardonnay), while learning to distinguish the aromas and flavors specific to local wines.
Some of the most popular workshops include:
- Introduction to tasting: a program that teaches tasting methods, ideal for those with an advanced knowledge of wine.
- Tasting the climates: a discovery of the territories through a tasting of wines from various climates in Burgundy.
- Food and wine pairing workshop: a place where participants acquire the skills to pair Burgundy wines with several local dishes and cheeses.
These workshops offer participants the opportunity to become familiar with the principles of tasting while exploring the authenticity of Burgundy wines.
Immersive experiences: a sensory journey
To enhance the visitor experience, the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne in Beaune has set up immersive installations that immerse the visitor in the vineyards and cellars of Burgundy. Virtual reality technologies and imposing screens allow the observation of the wine-growing process throughout the year, from cultivation to vinification, including pruning in winter and flowering. A sensory room also offers a unique immersion in the aromas of Burgundy wines, giving visitors the opportunity to experience various aromas typical of local wines, such as the red fruits of Pinot Noir or the honey and blanched flowers of Chardonnay.
Temporary Exhibitions: a link between the artistic world and culture
The Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne in Beaune frequently organizes temporary exhibitions dealing with wine from various perspectives, linked to art, literature and culture. These exhibitions aim to present various themes, such as traditional winemaking methods, paintings and photographs from the vineyards, or creations by modern artists related to viticulture and wine.
A Training and Education Center for Everyone
In addition to workshops and exhibitions, the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne in Beaune also sets up places dedicated to education and training, intended for both professionals in the wine industry and individuals. Another remarkable innovation is the establishment of educational workshops for children. They offer young visitors the opportunity to explore the wine estate in an entertaining way, by offering them personalized activities on the winemaking process, aromas and the history of Burgundy.
The Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne in Beaune offers professionals training on various themes such as cutting-edge oenology, vineyard management and technological advances in the wine industry. These training courses aim to support stakeholders in the field and encourage innovative and sustainable development of rural vineyards.
The impact of the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne in Beaune on tourism and the region
The establishment of the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne in Beaune is part of an initiative to showcase Burgundy's wine heritage. It satisfies the growing interest in wine tourism in France and attracts international tourists, thereby contributing to the visibility of the area. This educational and tourist environment also encourages visitors to discover other local places and vineyards, thereby contributing to the economic vitality of the area. Not only does the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne in Beaune promote local tourism expansion, but it also actively participates in the preservation and transmission of Burgundy's heritage. In this way, future generations will have the opportunity to promote and continue Burgundy's wine culture, while adopting eco-responsible methods.
Briefly about the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne in Beaune
The Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne in Beaune is an ambitious project that combines history, culture and innovation to offer visitors a total immersion into the world of Burgundy wine. This exceptional discovery site offers a detailed understanding of what makes Burgundy wines a world standard, while honoring the work and passion of local winemakers. The exhibition, workshops and immersive experiences of the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne in Beaune make it a must for wine and culture enthusiasts, but also for anyone wishing to explore Burgundy from a different perspective. By highlighting heritage and raising awareness of the particularities of the Burgundy terroir, it promotes the continuity of an anchored tradition, while contributing to the influence of the area.
The voco hotel and the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne in Beaune
A few dozen meters from the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne in Beaune, a brand new 4-star hotel opened in 2024, offering many services related to the organization of seminars in Burgundy. With 74 modern rooms, a bar, a bistro restaurant, a spa, a swimming pool, an outdoor garden, a gym and several equipped meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 100 people, the voco hotel is ideally positioned to discover the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne in Beaune during a break.
