Today was basically a transitional day taking in Beaune for a lunch time stop with an overnight stay in Autun.
The highlight of Beaune was the visit to the Hotel-Dieu, a hospital for the poor and sick, but much like a palace. Built in 1443, it is perfectly preserved and a great feature of the city. From the middle ages up to the late 20th century the Hospice had been in continual use. Taking on the title of “Palace of the Poor” the 
building housed some masterpieces of paintings and tapestries from the 15th and 16th centuries. Beaune was hosting a weekend Australia festival of some kind next month and I've attached a poster advertising the event. There's even a character riding a bike that looks very much like Crocodile Dundee. Make what you want of it all but we couldn't stay to find out.
After a superb pizza lunch, we waddled off to the car for a drive to our overnight stay at Autun. Being only under
50k away, we thought we would wander the back roads and villages along the way.
The rolling hills are just covered in vines and produces some of Burgundy’s best wines.
We finally arrived with Tommy, our GPS (Tom Tom) having a minor breakdown looking for our hotel. Giving up on him, we spied two local Police on a round-a-bout and rather than proceeding thru, I drove up on the pavement
and Sue wound down the window and said “je suis perdue monsieur” at which he good heartedly laughed and offered directions.
Autun has some historic points of interest, being the remains of their Roman theatre. It held 20.000 people during the 1st century AD and yet the town’s population is just that now. Founded in the late 1st century BC it must have been huge. Part of the roman walls still exist today
however on our visit the town was less than lively. It maybe something to do with the unusual heat wave that this region of France is having. The last two days have been in the high 30s and the little Citroen Air-con is getting a good workout.
Again this part of the country is perfect for cycling with rolling hills, quiet back roads and plenty of villages for a stop over.
After a superb pizza lunch, we waddled off to the car for a drive to our overnight stay at Autun. Being only under
50k away, we thought we would wander the back roads and villages along the way.The rolling hills are just covered in vines and produces some of Burgundy’s best wines.
We finally arrived with Tommy, our GPS (Tom Tom) having a minor breakdown looking for our hotel. Giving up on him, we spied two local Police on a round-a-bout and rather than proceeding thru, I drove up on the pavement
and Sue wound down the window and said “je suis perdue monsieur” at which he good heartedly laughed and offered directions.Autun has some historic points of interest, being the remains of their Roman theatre. It held 20.000 people during the 1st century AD and yet the town’s population is just that now. Founded in the late 1st century BC it must have been huge. Part of the roman walls still exist today
however on our visit the town was less than lively. It maybe something to do with the unusual heat wave that this region of France is having. The last two days have been in the high 30s and the little Citroen Air-con is getting a good workout.Again this part of the country is perfect for cycling with rolling hills, quiet back roads and plenty of villages for a stop over.
