November 15, 2026
Hospices de Beaune Wine Auction
Beaune, BurgundyThe charity wine auction of Beaune’s historic hospital, Burgundy’s major wine weekend.
November 19, 2026 in 5 days
Beaujolais Nouveau 2026
On the third Thursday of November, the new vintage of Beaujolais goes on sale and the region celebrates.
What happens
Beaujolais Nouveau is a young Gamay wine bottled just a few weeks after harvest. Under the appellation rules, it may be sold from the third Thursday of November, so the first bottles are opened across France on Wednesday night into Thursday. In Beaujolais itself, the celebrations last several days. The best-known festival, Les Sarmentelles, takes place in Beaujeu, the region’s capital, with a procession, music and the first tastings.
Beaujolais is the southern part of the Burgundy wine route, an hour’s drive from Beaune. You can combine it with a trip to Burgundy or Lyon.
Where
the main festival, Les Sarmentelles, takes place in Beaujeu, Rhône, on the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville in front of the town hall. Tastings are held throughout the villages of Beaujolais.
Open map ↗Schedule
| Beaujolais Nouveau is released on the third Thursday of November: 19 November 2026. | Les Sarmentelles runs from Wednesday 18 to Sunday 22 November 2026. On the night before 19 November, a torchlight procession takes place at around 23:00, followed at midnight by the ceremonial opening of the first barrel of new wine. |
Getting there
- from Paris, take a TGV from Gare de Lyon to Lyon, about 2 hours, then drive for about 1 hour to Beaujeu.
- The nearest station is Belleville-sur-Saône, reached by TER from Lyon, followed by about 15 km by taxi.
- There is no public transport at night, so you will need a driver.
Tickets and admission
the street celebrations are free; tasting glasses and dinners are paid for separately.
Tips
- do not drive after the midnight tasting.
- Beaujeu or Villefranche-sur-Saône are good places to stay overnight.
- During the day, visit the cru villages: Fleurie, Morgon and Moulin-à-Vent.