Maison 1896 is a full-service boutique hotel located in the historic heart of Beaune. The 1896 building has been lovingly restored to house a thoughtfully appointed 16-room hotel and Slanted Door, featuring the cuisine of Chef Charles Phan. Refined, artful style and custom made furnishings complement the Beaux-Arts architecture while top-tier amenities and terroir-inspired modern Vietnamese cuisine sets the stage for a satisfying and memorable stay.
About the Area
Beaune has been settled since prehistoric times. It is believed to take its name from the Gaulish word for spring, “Belena.” After the Gauls, the Romans conquered the area sometime around 52 AD. The Dukes of Burgundy controlled the region from 1363–1477 until the last Duke of Burgundy, Charles the Bold, was killed in the Battle of Nancy, and the duchy was absorbed into French territory under King Louis XI.
Burgundy, or Bourgogne (bour-gonh-ñuh) in French, has been a prosperous wine-growing region since at least the 13th century. The territory of Burgundy once extended from near Switzerland up through the Netherlands to Luxembourg, including Flanders and the Flemish Brabant. Both are now part of Belgium.
Thanks to its incredibly long history, even by European standards, medieval architecture as well as Romanesque and Gothic castles and abbeys can be enjoyed in Beaune and throughout the Burgundy region.
The History of Winemaking in Burgundy
The production of wine started in Burgundy when the Romans invaded the region. By the time of the French Revolution (1789–1799), most of the best Burgundy wines were produced by monasteries. During the Middle Ages, Burgundy was the seat of some of the most important Western churches and monasteries, among them Cluny, Citeaux, and Vézelay.
The Cistercians were the first to notice that different vineyard plots gave consistently different wines, thereby laying the earliest foundation for the naming of Burgundy crus and the region's terroir thinking.
After Burgundy became incorporated in the Kingdom of France, the power of the church decreased and vineyards which had been in the church's hands were sold to private individuals and families. During the French Revolution, the church's remaining vineyards were sold and the production of wine passed to vintners who became the keepers of the region’s viniculture.
Our Story
The story of Maison 1896 begins with a deep love of Burgundy and its wines and a friendship that spans more than three decades.
It was his first sip of fine wine that set David Fink, the founder and CEO of Mirabel Hotel & Restaurant Group, on path as a restaurateur, hotelier, and lover of fine wines. During his many visits to Burgundy, David came to know the Drouhin family and a friendship fostered on a love of wine, winemaking, and the region grew over time.
”David has known my family for more than 30 years… When he came to us with the idea to restore this beautiful old building… and convert it into a luxury hotel and restaurant, I immediately got onboard.
Frederic DrouhinMaison Joseph Drouhin President
The Restoration (2019-2023)
Our talented design team of Estelle Fabre & Janet Elarmo (interior design), Michael Souter (lighting), Pierreck Hemon (architect), and Jeff Fink (master restoration architect) took great care in restoring the handsome historic three-story Beaux Art building. The façade has been completely restored. The original private terrace, original eaves and arches, fireplaces, dormer windows, and artful stairways have all been renewed and repaired to 21st-century standards with the feel of 1896.
All elements have been carefully chosen to harmonize with the building’s architecture, from the layout of the ground floor’s restaurant and bar to the French blue doors leading into each of the 16 guestrooms or suites. Furniture made expressly for 1896 can be found throughout common areas and private rooms, including custom handmade beds. Fixtures by Perrin & Rowe and Victoria + Albert bathtubs ensure the best for our overnight guests.
During the restoration, the original oak beams were uncovered and can be seen in a number of our guest rooms. For modern-day comfort and efficiency, all of the windows are double-paned for superior noise reduction and insulation. New plumbing and electrical systems that use the latest technologies have been installed, along with radiant-heated limestone flooring sourced from the surrounding area.
