Sights, Smells, and Sounds of Beaune

The best way to learn a new place is by walking, eating, and meeting the locals. In my trip to Beaune with my dad, we were determined to not just meet Beaune, but really get to know it on a deep level. We’d wake up and immediately open the windows in the apartment to take in the noises of children walking to school, birds greeting each other, and local cafe owners making their way to open up the shops. It brought an energy into the home that made us jump up and rush out the door. We wandered down the block through curvy cobblestoned streets, noticing the smells of freshly brewed espresso and buttery, flakey pastries. It was always the same routine; window shopping and a quick coffee on the way to our cooking class where we were always the first to arrive. My dad would get an espresso, and I’d get a cappuccino, and we’d split a croissant that had the perfect balance of sweet, decadent chocolate and subtle, necessary sea salt. I’d listen closely to his conversations with Laurant about wine, urging myself to understand the differences between grape variety, growing conditions, and backgrounds of producers. In between the moments of learning, I’d scope the shop flipping through cookbook pages, feeling the different textures of culinary tools, and admiring the aromas of fresh herbs and golden stock brewing away in the kitchen above us. When we sat down for lunch each day, it was an opportunity to not only indulge in the morning’s preparations, but also to learn the city through taste. Each bite, sip, and conversation among the group allowed me to live Beaune rather than just visit it. When we left our class, it was time to explore more and at this point the city was absolutely buzzing. Beaune is quaint, yet packed with culture. On our last Saturday in town I’ll never forget the sensory overload that was the Beaune farmers market. The sight of meats I’ve never even seen before being sold here and there, the smell of rotisserie chicken being roasted right in front of us with au jus dripping onto onion, carrots, and celery, and the sounds of French exchanges circulating all around us. It was almost overwhelming how surreal it felt to be in the middle of it all. My advice to you, if you’re visiting Beaune or anywhere, is to be a local, not a visiter. See everything, notice the smells, listen to what’s going on around you, and say yes to trying all of the authentic foods. Observe the ancient wine caves, recognize the scent of herby escargot, and listen closely to the chatter of where people that call Beaune home go for a leisurely afternoon charcuterie board. The sights, smells, and sounds of Beaune will stick with me just as much as the memories of luscious pomme puree and foie gras. Cheers to experiencing the world and appreciating the local cultures that make a place so special.