Mirage, MiG and Abarth among the vines: the Savigny-lès-Beaune Castle is anything but ordinary
Fighter jets parked between the vineyards of the Côte de Beaune. Mirage jets, Soviet MiGs, and four planes from the Patrouille de France (French Air Force aerobatic team), sitting still under the Burgundy sky. This is not a movie set, it is the daily scene at the Savigny-lès-Beaune Castle.
Why visit the Savigny-lès-Beaune Castle?
Built in 1340 for Duke Eudes, renovated in the 17th century, and listed as a historical monument, the castle is now owned by Michel Pont, a winemaker and former race car driver who bought the property in 1972. Since then, he has accumulated nine eccentric collections that have absolutely nothing in common, which is precisely what makes the place so fascinating.
You are stepping into a different category here. It is not your typical hushed museum castle with gilded drawing rooms. Instead, it is a display of pure, unbridled passion, where a collector has turned 12 hectares of Burgundian estate into a giant cabinet of curiosities. It is one of the most unpredictable sites in Burgundy.
The fighter jet collection: a world record in a park
The grounds house nearly 100 fighter jets brought here from all over the world, a collection certified as the largest private collection in existence by the Guinness Book of Records. The Dassault family is well represented with the Mirage III, IV, V, and F1, plus the Mystère and Jaguar. The Americans are there too, with F-86 Sabres, F-104 Starfighters, and F-100 Super Sabres. Eleven Soviet MiGs round out the lineup.
The visual impact is surprising. These heavy metal machines, silent and stationary, sit right alongside rows of grapevines. You can walk between the fuselages, run your hands over the airframes, and look up into the half-open cockpits. Several cockpits are accessible to the touch.
Friendly tip: Guided tours of the aviation museum are organized periodically by the "Les Amis de la BA102" (Friends of the BA102 Air Base) association, featuring enthusiasts who know the history of every single plane. Check the castle's annual schedule before you arrive, as these tours fundamentally change how you understand the collections.
Inside: motorcycles, Abarth and much more
The motorcycle museum
Nearly 250 motorcycles from 1902 to 1960 are lined up in the castle outbuildings. The brands are prestigious: Norton, Vincent, Gilera, Velocette, BSA, Terrot. You will find the motorcycle belonging to Jean Mermoz, the legendary aviator, and one owned by Canon Kir, the Dijon priest who gave his name to the famous aperitif. This bit of local history is worth a long look on its own.
The Abarth collection
About thirty Fiat Abarth prototypes occupy the attic of the Petit Château (Small Castle). There are barchettas, single-seaters, and Zagato coupes, including a rare Abarth 1300 OT that raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966 and 1967. Michel Pont drove some of these cars in international races. The castle actually serves as the headquarters for the Abarth Club in France.
The aerospace museum and other spaces
Opened in 2019, this space houses two 7-meter scale reproductions of the Ariane 4 and Ariane 5 rockets, communication satellites, and a Leduc 002 aircraft. There is also a fire department museum with about twenty vehicles dating from 1905 to 1984, a museum of winemaking equipment, and nearly 8,000 scale models organized by theme.
Look for these during your visit:
- The 11 Soviet MiGs in the park, including several MiG-15s, MiG-21s, and MiG-23s
- The motorcycle of Jean Mermoz, in the motorcycle museum
- The Abarth 1300 OT from the 1966-1967 24 Hours of Le Mans
- The deer and stags that roam freely in the wooded park
- The Petit Château from 1671, which houses the estate's wine tasting cellar
What really stands out
- A single ticket grants access to all nine collections, the castle, and the park
- The fighter jet collection is a world record holder, with no equivalent in Europe
- Wine tasting of the estate's own vintages on-site in a medieval setting
- A family-friendly site where children under 10 enter for free
- Free parking with 120 spots on-site, a rare convenience for a Burgundian monument
What to know before you go
- Explanatory signage is sparse and sometimes insufficient, so without a guide, some collections can feel a bit quiet
- The visit is quite physical, as there is a lot of walking involved between the different areas spread across 12 hectares
- Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the winter, so check the hours before you make the drive
Estimated admission prices
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (full price) | 13 EUR (about $14) |
| Youth (10 to 17 years old) | 8 EUR (about $9) |
| Reduced (students under 26, job seekers) | 10 EUR (about $11) |
| Child (under 10 years old) | Free |
| Groups (20 people or more) | Upon request |
Prices are indicative and subject to change. The ticket provides access to all collections, the castle, and the park at no extra cost.
Opening hours
How long for this activity
*Information subject to change
If you are coming to Beaune, it is worth heading over to the castle located a few kilometers from the center. It includes several museums that you can visit with your admission ticket. The castle is very well maintained, and I really liked the section on wine.