Influence of the Dukes of Burgundy was renowned and they were
particularly close to the English throne. It was the Duke of
Burgundy that brokered the ‘Treaty of Troyes’ which
effectively gave France to England’s Henry V after Agincourt.
Dijon : the Dukes Palace
Power, of course, doesn’t last forever and jealousy finally
led to the demise of the Dukes of Burgundy. The death at
battle of ‘Charles the Fearless’ spelt the end of this
powerful dynasty. Well, not totally the end as the period set
a style which, culturally, maintained the region’s importance.
A legacy is Dijon the capital. Dijon has many
examples of this powerful period and a visit to the Dukes
Palace gives a vivid indication of Burgundy’s influence.
Apart from the treasures of Dijon to discover,
the city is an excellent base to explore this part of Burgundy
(even if it is just a small part of a truly vast region). You
can make the capital part of a longer holiday or, like many
just spend a few days here as a short-break.
To the south of the capital is Beaune, which
is also a capital...of wine. But, more than this the city is
the home of the famous ‘Hospice de Beaune’.
Hospice de Beaune : The Hôtel-Dieu
With its brightly coloured tiled rooftop, it
stands out as one of the perfect examples of the ‘Burgundy
roofs’ which, in fact, were originally influenced from
Flanders which was part of the Burgundian ‘empire’.
The origin of the building goes back in the
15th century and was a place where the sick and needy could be
housed and cared for. It also gave the rich a clear conscience
when it came time for their journey to heaven!
Beaune : Flemish tapestry, collegiate church Notre Dame
HÔTELS-DIEU:
Several
Burgundian cities have preserved, under the name of
Hôtel-Dieu, their former hospital. Many of them are
masterpieces of civilian architecture.
The most famous is incontestably the
Hôtel-Dieu in Beaune, founded in the 15th C., but other
interesting examples are to be found in Tonnerre (13th C),
Chalon-sur-Saône (16th C), Louhans (18th C),
Tournus,Arnay-le-Duc,Alise-Sainte-Reine or Seurre.
Louhans : pharmacy at the Hôtel-Dieu
credits
: Burgundy
Tourist Board
France Regions Burgundy
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