Home away from home, in Beaune

Ready to tuck in for the night at Gite du Couvent

As early as the 11th century, Cistercian monks established monasteries in Beaune, and they soon began making wine and storing it in their cellars. This was the beginning of a tradition that has flourished over the centuries and made this region home to some of the world’s finest chardonnay and pinot noir. If you’re planning a visit, and you want an authentic experience, you can even sleep where the monks once slept.

Gite du Couvent is a restored convent from the 17th century, tucked in a residential neighborhood just a five-minute walk from the center of town. The 2-bedroom home is beautifully furnished with period antiques, the beds are comfortable, and the kitchen is well-equipped . It is the perfect launching and landing pad for a weekend in wine country. There’s even a shop to rent bicycles across the street and a bakery nearby, for that essential morning baguette. If you’re anything like me, once you’ve spent time relaxing in Beaune you’ll find it’s hard to leave, and you’ll soon be plotting your return.