The Museum of Fine Arts features a rich collection of paintings, tapestries and sculptures. Housed in the stately Hôtel de Ville, just minutes on foot from the Hôtel Dieu, the museum is a convenient stop while exploring the historic town center. Come here to pass the hours on a rainy afternoon.
Devote some time to a highlight of the collection, the light-filled Orientalist works by Burgundy-born artist Félix Ziem. He was born in Beaune in 1821. At a young age, he began taking classes at l’École d’Architecture et des Beaux-Arts in Dijon, the capital of Burgundy, just 28 miles (45 kilometers) to the north. As his talents grew, he became famous throughout Europe for his paintings of Venice and Martigues, France, where today a museum is dedicated to him.
Wander through the galleries and seek out the paintings by Hippolyte Michaud. Born in Beaune and also educated at l’École d’Architecture et des Beaux-Arts in Dijon, Michaud felt a profound connection to the Burgundy region. He became a conservator of the Museum of Fine Arts in the middle of the 19th century and was responsible for laying out the Fine Arts Hall in the museum. Several of his paintings are on display.
Visit the impressive collection of Burgundy-style sculpture from the 12th to 19th centuries. Artists represented include Prud'hon, Ségoffin and Préault. The collection also features a range of Flemish and Dutch paintings from the 16th to the 18th centuries. The most famous of these works is The Four Elements, from Velvet Brueghel’s workshop.
The museum reopened in 2017 following a major renovation that created more exhibition space. The setting is in the heart of Beaune’s cultural hub of Porte Marie de Bourgogne. Visit some of its prestigious neighbors including the Ecole des Beaux-Arts and La Lanterne Magique theater, which hosts a range of music festivals and events.
The Museum of Fine Arts is open in the afternoons only and is closed on Tuesdays in winter. Buy tickets on site. Note that a student discount is available. Children under the age of 11 are admitted free of charge.
