The area around Beaune is famous for its wines. Beaune is famous for its annual wine sales organized by the Hospices de Beaune. Founded in 1442 by Nicolas Rollins, chancellor of the Duke of Burgundy, and his wife, the Hospices are a charity running hospitals and other services for the needy. Following from past donations, they own vineyards in the most reputed parts of Burgundy.
Beaune was the birthplace of Gaspard Monge (1746-1818), mathematician.