30 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in California, 40 Places to See in California Before Your Kids Are All Grown Up, 40 Places to See in Florida Before Your Kids Grow Up, 25 Most Beautiful Medieval Castles in the World. Here’s where to […]. And it's free (which is nowadays fairly unusual in France) ! It is also the location of the town hall where, if you wander up the stairs you’ll see where the  workmen who are renovating removed a wall and discovered a hidden staircase and wall frescoes that are hundreds of years old. The earliest archaeological finds within the city limits of Dijon date to the Neolithic period. It now houses the town hall, the ancient kitchens can be visited and there are courtyards you can use to make your way round Dijon or simply to sit and enjoy the views. In the middle of the old centre, this 13th-century gothic church has a design that resembles few in France. Much of the Old Town is pedestrianised. Visiting the lake is a perfect way to take a break from the town centre. This is clearest in the tombs of John the Fearless and Philip the Bold, with their masterful early-renaissance alabaster sculptures. Lets explore the best things to do in Dijon: At Place de la Libération you’re greeted by the home of the Dukes of Burgundy in the 14th and 15th centuries, now the town hall. The famous mustard shop has hundreds of different mustards and a tasting bar. Musee des Beaux-Arts de Dijon. This being Burgundy, of course there  a escargots. The stone has been buffed shiny by centuries of people touching it for good luck and making a wish. So you have a wonderful store of paintings by lesser-known French, Flemish and Italian artists. Well, not literally: But all around this pretty country town are names that ring out in the wine world, like Santenay and Pommard, so you can go off and taste grands crus and tour illustrious vineyards for days on end. Travelers favorites include #1 Theatres Romains de Fourvière, #2 Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière and more. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies, Life in a farmhouse in the Auvergne, France, Freewheeling gastronomic adventure in Montreuil-sur-Mer, Perfect French pancakes and more newsletter from France, Planning to teach French? And also, Dijon marks the start of the Course des Grands Crus, among one of the most enticing a glass of wine courses worldwide. Produced with blackcurrants cultivated around Dijon is Crème de cassis, a liqueur that is usually taken as an after-dinner digestif, and also goes well in cocktails like Kir. Dole is around 30 minutes by train from Dijon. Its peaceful way of life, celebrated wine, delicous food and numerous outdoor activities all combine to make this region the ideal place to discover and appreciate la vie française. One of the oldest museums in France and part of the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy, the Musee des Beaux-Arts de Dijon holds an encyclopedic collection of fine works of art, ranging from Egyptian to modernist 20th-century works. Fun Travel Guide to Dijon, what to see, what to do in Dijon. By car . The flat western facade is most unusual of all, with a large porch made up of three arches on the lower level. The "Parcours de la Chouette" trail reveals the heritage highlights of the old town, whilst the Grands Crus Route is perfect for exploring the vineyards and sampling the most prestigious wines. He’s from Brussels. • Dijon, capital of the Dukes of Burgundy. The condiment is no longer made right in the city, but you can get a good sense of its heritage at the Epicerie Maille on Rue de la Liberté, which has been here since 1845 and sells the brand’s mustards, oils and vinegars. It’s an historic area in the department of Allier in Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes. Ranking of the top 7 things to do in Burgundy. In Rouen you can get a 3 course meal with a drink for around an average of 15 euro around this time. And while there are many things to love about my native land such as the great customer service and ample freezer […], Sarah Daly hops on an electric bike and works up an appetite for a dining experience with a difference. Established during the enlightenment period in the late 18th century, this museum is a must see for art appreciators of all styles. City markets in France are always something to see, but few are as large or beautiful as this one. Seriously food is on everyone’s lips, not literally of course, but its the most popular topic of conversation – or at least that’s what it feels like. There is a great transport system in the town with free hop on/hop off buses. Don’t forget snails or, of course, Dijon mustard. The Roman influence is evident in the style of architecture. Isn't the best part of a trip in the delightful detours? From museums to opera, medieval half-timbered houses, a bustling food market, the Owl Trail and of course, Dijon mustard, there are plenty of things to do in Dijon. There’s also a tram service which connects you to lots of places around Dijon; and there’s a major train station (about 90 minutes to Paris). And there’s nothing quite like ambling along the swanky Croisette in Cannes. In 2017, the commune had a population of 156,920; the Greater Dijon area had 250,516 inhabitants in 2007.. ... A Walk Around The City of Dijon, France - Duration: 25:40. The sumptuous home of the Dukes of Burgundy is still in place and is now a superb art museum as well as the city’s Hôtel de Ville. Dijon is a historic city that functioned as a transportation hub as far back as the 9th century. Musée de Beaux Arts. As you pass by, you should rub the owl with your left hand (the hand closest to your heart) and make a wish as people have for centuries. 15 Best Things to Do in Beaune (France) In the capital of Burgundy’s region you better believe you can immerse yourself in wine. From the end of the 1800s to the 1930s the wealthy Parisian magistrate Maurice Magnin and his sister Jeanne amassed around 2,000 pieces of art, which they bequeathed to the city, along with their 17th-century hôtel particulier. So many French staples come from around Dijon, and we’ll try to deal with a few: There’s Coq au Vin, the chicken and wine stew that everyone knows. From prices and availability to skip-the-line options and mobile tickets, get all the information you need to make the most of your trip to France. The thing to see before you go inside is that marvellous Burgundian patterned roof. Rest your weary feet and relax on one of the grand stone benches and watch the synchronised fountains which the kids run in and out of on hot days. The first floor is a little more exciting, with ten tableaus representing traditional trades in the region, with hatters, grocers, butchers and barbers, and the real tools they used in the 1800s and 1900s. https://theculturetrip.com/.../the-most-unique-things-to-do-in-dijon Look at the animal motifs in the spandrels between the great arches, and try to make out the medallions of Ceres (Greek harvest goddess) and Hermes (god of trade). Nearest airports: Paris, Lyon Saint Exupéry. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe now to receive more just like it. There is clear influence from Versailles and Fontainebleu in this hugely imposing building. There’s period furniture and cool art on the walls, and some of the rooms have beautiful city views. Dijon has lots to see and do in the compact center of the city. As the ancient capital of the Burgundy province, Dijon is an architecturally rich city offering far more than mustard. I first visited Dijon in 1968, as a college student, and have many fond memories of my time there. All things to do in Dijon; Popular Dijon Categories. Sights & Landmarks in Dijon. Located in the Jardin des Sciences, the Natural History Museum  is in the former barracks of the Arquebusiers, dating to 1608. money.The national park’s most popular lake is the Lac des Settons. It's an easy place to get around on foot and you can easily see the major sights in a couple of days. So you can see gothic elaboration in the marvellous carvings in the South Portal from 1537, depicting myriad angels. Wandering along a Paris street, admiring the buildings, the alluring cafés, the Eiffel Tower is one of life’s greatest pleasures. To pick one, Gevrey-Chambertin is less than 15 kilometres away and is noted for its intense reds, and has an incredible nine different grand cru vineyards: You can taste the amazing variety of local wines at the Philippe Leclerc Cave, where there’s also a museum, explaining local viticulture through the ages. Getting around Dijon by foot is easy, as the compact city is huddled around the main thoroughfare, rue de la Liberté, which extends from Place Darcy to the Dukes' Palace at Place de la Libération. On the two levels above are rows of columns, each row bordered by a long line of gargoyles representing monsters, animals and also humans (there are 51 gargoyles in total). It’s a speciality of Burgundy (blackcurrant syrup) buy the 20% volume one for the best taste and aligote (a Burgundian white wine) or with champagne or sparkling wine for a kir de roi, or kir royale. Zenith Dijon Zenith Dijon is 2.6 mi (4.1 km) from central Dijon, and is a popular place to see during your stay. Australian Susan McDonald has enjoyed many walks in the South of France and shares some […], Some quotes from France are beyond famous. In France, it’s just as well to experience the pleasures of the unexpected. Spend an afternoon perusing stalls of local delights. By air Dijon is not near any major airport. The Palais des Ducs also home to the magnificent and monumental Museum of Fine Arts. Its vineyards are known throughout the world and a little chill in the air adds something to the sublime wines from Gevrey-Chambertin, Nuits-St-Georges, Vosne-Romanée and Chablis, to name just a few. Hire a bike: There are lots of cycle paths and the streets are bike-friendly. Scene of countless stopovers by motorists hurtling down to the South of France, Dijon is much more than a convenient place to break your journey. One of the oldest museums in France and part of the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy, the Musee des Beaux-Arts de Dijon holds an encyclopedic collection of fine works of art, ranging from Egyptian to modernist 20th-century works. This lovely free to enter museum has an eclectic and rather wonderful mix of objects. In the 14th and 15th centuries, the capital of Burgundy was a force to … On the outside wall of the church is a small stone dragon and a small stone owl. The old ladies of Dijon say she can work miracles though she hasn’t received official recognition. I love its bustling atmosphere, clean sandy beach, colourful beach huts […], We talk to chef and author Lisa Baker Morgan who splits her life between Los Angeles and Paris. For another dose of culinary history stop by at Multot & Petitjean on Hôtel Catin de Richemont at 15 Rue Bossuet: It’s the oldest  pain d’épices (a spiced cake) bakery in the city. At 52-56 for example there’s Hôtel Morel-Sauvegrain, once the home of the nurse of Charles the Bold, the former Duke of Burgundy. It then consisted of […], Although I live in America, I’m a hardcore Francophile. Its four figurines  chime every quarter of an hour as they gaze over rue de Musette where second hand book sellers have their stalls on a Saturday morning. Also in the heart of Dijon, the Maison Philippe Le Bon is a 41 room hotel with rooms spread between three mansions around a Gothic courtyard. Down the years many wealth benefactors have donated their collections to the museum, so you can see Islamic weapons and glassware, Oriental porcelain, African ceremonial mask, Ancient Egyptian antiquities and Roman art from Switzerland and Germany. (Published July 2013, last updated June 2020) There’s a lot to do, so let’s get started! Who can resist as jambon persille (ham terrine with parsley) or volaille de Bresse (chicken from Bresse)? In Rouen you can get a 3 course meal with a drink for around an average of 15 euro around this time. Leroy is but he must be quite the winemaker. In the supreme painting galleries you’ll contemplate old masters like Titian, Lorenzo Lotto, Breughel the Elder and Rubens, as well 19th-century art from Monet, Manet, Sisley and Géricault. 15. But do leave time for Dijon, one of the great provincial cities of France. Surprise! Some of the places that we have visited and reviewed and can recommend when you are sightseeing close to Dijon in Burgundy-Franche-Comté. Top Places to Visit in Dijon, France: See Tripadvisor's 97,005 traveller reviews and photos of Dijon attractions. An ideal place for leisure activities, Kir Lake is one of the most beautiful artificial lakes in France. Every two years, the Fêtes de la Vigne celebrate local life and traditions on the last weekend in August. Both styles are present as construction was delayed because of a lack of funds caused by the conflict between Louis XII and the Maximilian I, the Holy Roman Emperor. The upper floor combines new interactive exhibits about the natural world with a kind of 19th century “cabinet of curiosity” featuring shells, taxidermies and butterfly collections, showing what the museum would have been like in the 1800s. Many offer a plat-du-jour (around €12) or a menu-du- jour (around €18). Dijon’s gothic cathedral was completed in the 15th century but has plenty of architecture that is several hundred years older. What to do in Dijon Well first of all, get your comfy shoes on because this is a city that’s just perfect for a flâner, the French term for wandering and just soaking it all in… Cobbled streets, grand squares, half-timbered houses, a huge palace, narrow alleyways lined with medieval buildings and even a magic owl. 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