Dijon, France

Dijon is the capital city of the historical Burgundy region in eastern France, one of the country’s principal wine-producing areas. Famous for mustard and gingerbread, Dijon is also the gateway to the most prestigious Burgundy vineyards. Indeed, the reputation of the route of the ‘Grands Crus’ has earned it the epithet the ‘Champs Elysees of Burgundy.’ Discover the magnifient landscapes with vines as far as the eye can see and even a chateau right at the heart of the Côte de Nuits vineyard.

Paris, the national capital, is located 160 miles northwest of Dijon, while Talant is 2 miles to the northwest.

There’s more to Dijon than mustard. About ninety minutes by the high-speed TGV rail service from Gare de Lyon, Paris’s little sister is just as chic as the capital, without the big-city vibe. Rue de la Liberte is Dijon’s Champs-Elysees shopping street, there’s a mini Arc de Triomphe, there’s even a bike rental scheme called Velodi, a kissing cousin of the original Parisian version, Velib.

The Duchy of Burgundy was led by four successive dukes: Philip the Bold, John the Fearless, Philip the Good and Charles the Bold. Philip the Good, who ruled from 1419 to 1467, had a major influence on Dijon; he captured Joan of Arc and turned her over to the English. He also made Burgundy a leading centre for the arts and rebuilt the duchal palace (Palais des Ducs, off Place de la Liberation). You can climb the 316 stairs to the 46-metre tower he added for views of colourful tiled rooftops (a trademark of Burgundy), crooked mediaeval streets, monastic buildings and, beyond the city, vineyards, forests and villages. Since 1799, the palace has been a fine arts museum, Musee des Beaux-Arts. One of the oldest and most beautiful museums in France.

Plan and Book:

Dijon: See and Do

Sit at a table extending out from one of the cafés and restaurants around Liberation Square and watch people strolling past. Have French wines, main dishes enhanced with sauces made with local Dijon mustard and pain d’epices gingerbread. After your meal, relax with a book on a bench and savor the atmosphere in this typically French square as you sip a kir drink of white wine and creme de cassis. Learn about local and exotic plant species at the Arquebuse Gardens. Make sure you bring your camera so you can snap a few photos of the most striking specimens.

For some outdoor time, head on over to the area’s much-loved green spaces. Darcy Square and the Suzon Japanese Garden Park are lovely places to get lost in a great book. Port du Canal Park is another nice option.

The Museum of Sacred Art and the Magnin Museum offer a range of collections that are bound to spark your curiosity. You might also want to consider a visit to the La Vie Bourguignonne Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts.

The preserved specimens at the Musée Archeologique provide a fascinating glimpse into exotic, unknown worlds.

Take a look at what’s happening at the Musee Rude or the Musée des Beaux-Arts and see if there’s anything that catches your interest. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to catch an exhibition opening!

To find out more about the area’s rich and colorful past, make sure you visit its many historic structures and monuments. Start the local history tour at the University of Burgundy or the Hotel Aubriot. More tales from a bygone era are waiting for you at Tour de Bar and the Maison Maillard. Once the private dwelling of the area’s wealthiest, today the doors to these most stately homes are open to everyone. If you can find one, a guided tour will help you get the most out of your visit to Palace of the Dukes and Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy.

Whether you’re a spiritual person or not, you’ll be sure to enjoy a trip to Church of Notre Dame and Dijon Cathedral. You could also explore Paroisse Saint Michel de Dijon or Cathedrale St-Benigne.

Great public squares provide a space for the inhabitants of a city to gather and enjoy the fresh air. A tour of the area would be incomplete if you didn’t go through either Liberation Square or Place Emile Zola.

Take a moment to stop by the Maison Milliere, Tour Philippe le Bon and Saint-Philibert Church and discover the influential experiences and events that helped make Dijon what it is today.

La Toison d’Or Shopping Center is a bustling retail zone, filled with interesting fashion, accessories and grocery shops.

Zenith Dijon and Dijon Congrexpo are popular performing arts venues that are frequented by visitors and artistically minded locals alike.

Traveling golfers can always enjoy a few rounds at the Golf Club Jacques Laffite Dijon Bourgogne and the Golf de la Chassagne.

Highlights

Church of Notre-Dame

The Church of Notre-Dame, with its eering gargoyles and the mechanical clock, is the iconic epicenter of Dijon. With its narrow pillars and grand arches, the 13th-century Gothic structure haunts a square in the heart of the city. Work commenced on the church in about 1230. The Church of Notre-Dame is in the center of Dijon’s old town on a plaza of the same name and just north of the Square des Ducs.

See the famous statue of Notre Dame de Bon Espoir at this Gothic masterpiece. Enter the spacious nave and make your way to the statue of Notre-Dame de Bon-Espoir, a wooden statue that dates back to the 11th century. It is among the oldest Virgin statues in the country. Its baby Jesus disappeared during the French Revolution and the Madonna’s hands are missing. Due to its historical importance, it is one of the most intriguing artifacts in the church. Admire the five stained-glass windows in the northern transept. They have survived from the 1200s and tell the stories of St. Peter and St. Andrew. A 19th-century artist used the original panes as inspiration for more than 50 new stained-glass windows.

Liberation Square

Liberation Square is a stunning semicircular plaza in the heart of Dijon’s historic center. It is home to glorious fountains, statues and important buildings that date back many centuries. Walk through the large pedestrianized square to appreciate its open feel and majestic structures. Stand in front of the 14th-century Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy and admire its classical design. Here you’ll find the town hall and the Museum of Fine Arts. Learn about the structure’s regal history and the family that once resided here. Look around the museum, which opened in 1787. Its enormous collection includes fascinating items from Egyptian art to 21st-century pieces. Liberation Square is just south of the Church of Notre-Dame in the old town area of Dijon. The Magnin Museum, the Square des Ducs and many shops and restaurants surround the plaza. Take a bus or easily walk to the square from many of the sites in the city’s centre.

Dijon Cathedral

Dijon Cathedral is an early 14th-century Gothic church known for its fascinating museum and tall columns and spires. Its twin towers present one of the most recognizable icons of the city, making it a French national monument. Enjoy the eeriness of this old giant, from its gargoyles outside to the subterranean tomb inside. The church serves as a museum as well as a place of worship. Peruse the intriguing relics from the Middle Ages as well as fascinating Roman artifacts. Descend the steps to the crypt to see the sarcophagus of Saint-Benigne. Note the Romanesque decor of the tomb. Dijon Cathedral is less than a 10-minute walk west from the Square des Ducs in the center of the city. It stands next to the St. Philibert Church, the Theatre Dijon Bourgogne – Parvis Saint-Jean and the Théâtre des Feuillants. Take a bus to the center of the city or walk from the nearby attractions to reach the cathedral.

Palace of the Dukes

The Palace of the Dukes is a major highlight of Dijon’s historic center. It is a fascinating stately structure with a rich history entwined with royalty, tombs and politics. Now, it is home to a museum of fine arts that displays a wide selection of artistic works as well as a comprehensive history of the palace. Several other dukes with intriguing nicknames occupied the residence over the next century, including John the Fearless and Philip the Good. Tombs of several of the dukes lie in the palace. Marvel at their gold casing and protective angel sculptures. The Palace of the Dukes is located in Liberation Square in the heart of Dijon.

Surrounding Area

Mont Blanc

The roof of Western Europe, rising to 4,810m, Mont Blanc is the world’s third most-visited natural sight. The Massif du Mont-Blanc’s unique setting enables it to offer a huge choice of outdoor activities , ranging from mountaineering, off-piste skiing and climbing to hiking, either along its mountain trails or glaciers.

A climb to the summit requires excellent physical fitness, to help you endure the 10-12 hours of strenuous effort required at these high altitudes, as well as the services of a professional mountain guide. Some mountain guiding companies also offer the option of an exhilarating and unforgettable descent on skis from the summit. Training is offered prior to your ascent.

It is also possible to admire Mont Blanc from the Pic du Midi, accessible in just 20min via the Aiguille du Midi cable-car , which climbs an impressive 2,700m from Chamonix to an altitude of 3,842m. At this altitude, you’ll discover a formidable view of Mont Blanc from one of the four panoramic terraces accessible to visitors.