History of the city of Beaune and its surroundings

Overview

Beaune is a French city located in the Cote d'Or department in the Burgundy region. Covering an area of approximately 31 km2, the city sits at an altitude of 220 meters. The closest villages include Chorey-les-Beaune, Vignoles, and Levernois. The inhabitants of Beaune, known as Beaunois and Beaunoises, number around 24,000 according to the latest census. The postal code for Beaune is 21200.

Historical Significance

Renowned for its unique architectural wealth and distinctive historical past, Beaune is considered one of the top tourist attractions in Burgundy. The city's initial settlement dates back thousands of years, but it wasn't until the climate softened around 7000 BC that humans began to settle down, cultivating land and developing new craft techniques. Around the same time as the foundation of Marseille by the Greeks, Beaune made its mark in history and has featured on the map of France since the era of Celtic Gaul.

Roman Influence

Under the Roman era, the army set the course for the city's history by erecting the first fortifications. They made the city a key point to control and protect two important routes of the Empire in this region: the first connecting Lyon to Trier and the other from Besançon to Autun.

Economic Importance in the Middle Ages

Thanks to the wine trade, Beaune played a key role in the economic and political sector of France during the 13th century. Also, Eude III, the Duke of Burgundy, gave it a privileged status by making it a free city modeled on Dijon. The Charter of Franchise granted the Beaunois certain rights and privileges not found in other medieval populations.

Religious Significance

The presence of several abbeys, convents, and churches adorning various districts attests to the importance of religious life. Some of these religious monuments still exist in the city and attract thousands of visitors each year thanks to their unique architectural style.

Modern City Structure

With its economic development, the city is currently organized around three distinct poles: the Market Place, Carnot Square, and the Notre-Dame district. The parish church is located in Carnot Square, while the old lodgings of the Dukes of Burgundy are located in the Notre-Dame district.