May 8, 2014 -Beaune and Autun

Our hotel is conveniently situated right next to the old section of Beaune and everything we want to see is within a few minutes walk.

Hotel de la Poste
Hotel de la Poste

Our first stop is at the Notre Dame Collegiate Church begun in about 1120. Our visit to the church is cut short, however, by a service which appeares to be about World War II veterans. Many really old men in their service uniforms and company flags assemble on the portico.
Romanesque Collegiate Church of Notre Dame
Romanesque Collegiate Church of Notre Dame

We wend our way over to the Hotel Dieu (hospital) through the charming streets of Beaune where every other building seems to be a restaurant or wine shop.
A gastropub in Beaune
A gastropub in Beaune

The main attraction in Beaune is the Hotel Dieu, a hospital built by Chancellor Nicolas Rolin in 1443. This hospital has survived the ages and was in general use until 1971 and then converted to a geriatric hospital. On every picture postcard around town is the beautiful Burgundian roof of Hotel Dieu.
The courtyard of the Hotel Dieu
The courtyard of the Hotel Dieu

There is a large hall for poor, sick people. Beds line the walls and a fanciful roof looms overhead. A chapel fills one end of the large hall.
Large hall
Large hall
Line of beds along the wall
Line of beds along the wall

Beams held by imaginative animals
Beams held by imaginative animals

The famous Last Judgement by Rogier van der Weyden which originally hung in the chapel
The famous Last Judgement by Rogier van der Weyden which originally hung in the chapel

Many other parts of the hospital complex are also included in the audio tour. The nuns did most of the work, cooking, cleaning, tending the patients and even making medicines.
Kitchen in the Hotel Dieu
Kitchen in the Hotel Dieu

Many years ago when John and I were here for the first time, we drove out into the vineyards surrounding Beaune and happened upon a really fine restaurant for lunch. So today John and I drive over to Meursault to have lunch at the same place, La Diligence. We have a really fine lunch. It will be our main meal of the day.

Dessert or cheese is included but we are way too full to have any.

Next stop, Autun. Autun was formerly known by its Latin name, Augustodunum, and was founded by the Emporer Augustus. There are still traces of its Roman roots around town. Part of the city wall still exists and there is a Roman theater that at one time held up to 12,000 people. Now it sits crumbling overlooking a soccer field.

Roman theatre in Autun
Roman theatre in Autun

Another highlight in Autun is the Cathedral of St.Lazarus constructed between 1120 and 1146. The tympanum over the central doorway was created by Gislebertus in 1130-1135 who unusually signed his work. It is a dramatic last judgement with devils, saints, Jesus, angels, the saved and the damned all done in a bas relief.
St. Lazarus in Autun
St. Lazarus in Autun
Last Judgement tympanum
Last Judgement tympanum

The interior much like the exterior is a combination of the original Romanesque with Gothic elements and other later embellishments. The capitals on the columns are early sculptures and depict Biblical stories.
Interior of St. Lazarus
Interior of St. Lazarus
Carved capital of Simon the Magician being thrown into hell
Carved capital of Simon the Magician being thrown into hell

We have had a really full day. Getting back well after 5 PM we change into comfy clothes and its time to picnic in the room and write the blogs.
Picnic in the room
Picnic in the room

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