Beaune to open €10 million Cite du Vin in 2016

The city of Beaune is to open a new €10 million wine centre, called the Cite des Vins de Bourgogne, with building expected to start in 2016.

At the same time, Dijon is planning a separate Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie to celebrate becoming one of France’s four inaugural gourmet cities. This is expected to open in 2016 within the city’s historic hospital building.

The 1200m2 Beaune Cité du Vin will be located on a six-hectare site on the outskirts of the city, with easy access from one of the busiest European motorways. The project is seen as part of the drive to have the Burgundy climats accepted as a world heritage site by UNESCO.

There will be outposts in areas such as Chablis, Côtes de Nuits, Côtes de Beaune, Chalon and the Maconnais.

‘To date, we have completed a two-year feasibility study,’ Cécile Mathiaud of the BIVB Burgundy wine bureau told decanter.com. ‘The next stage is to begin a tender for the architectural firm, and to appoint the team for fundraising and sponsorship.’

‘The aim is to offer an entry point to the vineyards for all Burgundy appellations,’ Mathiaud confirmed.

A maximum of €2 million of the €10 million budget is coming from the BIVB, and the project is currently being overseen by BIVB president Pierre-Henri Gagey. The rest they hope to find from private enterprises.

Written by Jane Anson