In this new article, I take you to discover my hometown, I take you visit Dijon. Capital of the Dukes of Burgundy, in the heart of an exceptional wine region, of exceptional cultural and architectural richness and gastronomy renowned throughout the world. These are great reasons to come and visit Dijon for a weekend or more.
Thanks to this article, you will have at your disposal all the useful and necessary information to prepare your visit to Dijon. All the places to visit, the activities to do, my practical advice and above all, some good addresses will be found in this article.
Summary:
- Presentation of Dijon
- Visit Dijon: what to do?
- Practical advice for visiting Dijon
- What to do around Dijon?
- My opinion on this visit to Dijon
Discover the Dijon city pass, an interesting advantage for visiting Dijon. You will benefit from free entrances, discounts and access to public transport. See prices
Presentation of Dijon
To start this article gently, here are a few words of presentation on the city. Dijon is located in Burgundy and more precisely, in the department of the Côte d'Or. By car, you are about 2 hours north of Lyon and just over 3 hours south of Paris. Easily accessible by train and car, Dijon is an ideal stopover during a stay in Burgundy.
The cultural places to visit are diverse and varied: historical, gastronomic, religious, … Dijon is a city full of absolutely delicious culinary specialties. I am thinking in particular of the famous gingerbread or the delicious parsley ham. A veritable institution, parsley ham can be eaten at any time of the day!
The city center of Dijon, meanwhile, is very pleasant to visit on sunny days. Made completely pedestrian for a few years, the main shopping streets and avenues of the city are ideal places to walk and stroll in the city, in peace and without a vehicle. Moreover, the city center of Dijon has been classified as a protected area for many years.
By visiting Dijon, you will also discover a city with a rich history and a strong identity. The city of Dijon occupied a very important place within the Duchy of Burgundy, it was its capital. During the following centuries, Dijon remained an important place, where the bourgeoisie developed. The town's many mansions, perfectly preserved, bear witness to this prosperous and bourgeois past.
Visit Dijon: what to do?
With this short presentation of Dijon, you are surely curious to discover all the places to visit in Dijon. This is what we will see immediately in this part. You will find the different sites of tourist interest divided into different categories so that you can find your way more easily to what you want to visit first.
Museums :
- The Museum of Fine Arts and the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy
- The Magnin Museum
- The Museum of Burgundian Life
- The Archaeological Museum of Dijon
Religious sites:
Architectural heritage and squares:
- The Historic Center: the Owl Route
- The Philippe le Bon Tower
- The Hotel de Vogüé
- The Well of Moses
- The different places
- The Auditorium
- The Grand Theater
About gastronomy:
Parks and gardens:
- The Darcy Garden
- Lake Kir
- The Arquebuse Garden
- The alleys of the Park and the Colombière Park
- The Port of the Canal
Dijon museums to visit
Let's start with some of the main Dijon museums to visit! From the best known to the smallest, Dijon is full of museums to discover.
The Museum of Fine Arts and the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy
The Dijon Museum of Fine Arts is probably one of the most famous places in the city. With its recent renovation, it deserves a visit to Dijon just to visit it. In addition to being a museum of exceptional richness and quality, it is located in a historic building of choice since it is the former ducal palace of the Dukes of Burgundy. In the heart of the historic city of Dijon, you will be amazed as soon as you enter the museum grounds. A little nugget to discover or rediscover without delay in Dijon!
The little extra, the entrance is free!
The Magnin Museum
Here is a small unpretentious museum, but which I appreciate very much! Located in the heart of the city center, in a mansion, discover beautiful collections of works, paintings from various backgrounds, sculptures but also period furniture and many high quality works of art.
Book your entry to the Magnin MuseumThe Museum of Burgundian Life
Let's continue with this museum dedicated, as its name suggests, to Burgundian life between the end of the XNUMXth and the beginning of the XNUMXth century. Located in the former Bernardine monastery, this museum exhibits many scenes from everyday life of the time, in an interesting and fun way for the youngest.
Free admission to this museum.
The Archaeological Museum of Dijon
I now invite you to discover the archaeological museum of Dijon, also located in the city center, so easily accessible. To visit it, head for the Saint-Bénigne cathedral, or almost. The museum is housed in the former Benedictine abbey of Saint-Bénigne. Highlighted period building and various exhibitions, discover the history of the region from prehistory to the Middle Ages.
Admission to this museum is also free.
Dijon's other museums
It would take far too long to present all the museums of the city of Dijon in this article, which is why I have chosen to tell you about the main ones. But be aware that other museums are also worth visiting, I am thinking in particular of the Consortium, a contemporary art museum located in a magnificent building; at the Rude museum, which took place in the former Saint-Étienne church; at the natural history museum in the heart of the Arquebuse garden, which we will talk about a little further down; or at the FRAC Bourgogne, which means Regional Fund for Contemporary Art.
As you will have understood, art lovers will be delighted and will have plenty to occupy their days!
Religious sites to visit in Dijon
Let's now move on to the religious heritage of the city of Dijon. Throughout its history, Dijon has seen many religious institutions establish themselves. Nicknamed for a moment “City of a hundred steeples”, some buildings are still to be seen, renovated and in perfect condition!
Saint-Benigne Cathedral
Let's start with the main religious monument of the city, the Saint-Bénigne Cathedral. Located at the gates of the historic center of Dijon, the Saint-Bénigne cathedral is being renovated, little by little, to restore it to its former glory. A bet that can be considered successful when you see its brand new exterior, highlighting its main facade but also its glazed tiles, typical of the region.
Côte-d'Or Tourism © R. KREBEL
Notre Dame Church
Let's continue with this second building, also a symbol of the city of Dijon. The Notre-Dame Church is located in the heart of the historic center of the city and is surrounded by tourist sites to visit. You will therefore not be able to miss this Dijon emblem. Especially since certain details are very popular with visitors: perhaps the Owl of Dijon evokes something for you? Or the Jacquemart? These two elements are to be seen. First of all, the Dijon Owl is touched every year by very many visitors: touching it would bring good luck, according to beliefs, unless your "meaning of visit" makes you pass not far from the Dragon a little further, which would negate the effect of the Owl. Legend, superstition, symbol, … This passage is obligatory, whether you want to touch the Owl or not.
Côte-d'Or Tourism © F. BONNARD
As for the Jacquemart, it is interesting to see it in operation: these are statues located at the top of the bell tower, each striking either the hours, the half-hours, or the quarter-hours. If you are interested in the history of this Jacquemart, here is an article that could tell you a little more about the legend.
Sainte-Anne Church and the Museum of Sacred Art
As with museums, the city of Dijon is home to churches, chapels and places of worship of various religions. So I only suggest the most touristic ones here, but if you look closely, at the bend of an alley, you will surely come across a little nugget.
So to conclude this religious architecture part, I invite you to stop at the Sainte-Anne church, where the Dijon Museum of Sacred Art is located. The architecture of the building with its typical verdigris copper dome is interesting, as well as its exhibits on Burgundian Catholic sacred art.
The architectural heritage and squares of Dijon
In addition to its religious heritage and its museums, Dijon has old buildings with local architecture, which are worth a visit. They can be private or open to the public, just look at the architecture.
The Historic Center: the Owl Route
First of all, know that a tourist route has been set up to guide visitors to discover the city's must-see places. In total, no less than 22 stages are on offer to discover the city of the Dukes.
To discover this route, you just have to follow the bronze arrows located on the ground on the sidewalks and in the streets of the city. To go further in your discovery, you can also download the associated application (paying): it will serve as your private tourist guide, both to show you the different stages to see but also to teach you more about the history of the location.
Côte-d'Or Tourism © M. ABRIAL
The Philippe le Bon Tower
Take a little height to admire as it should Dijon and the surroundings! To do this, simply climb to the top of the Tour Philippe le Bon, located in the Palace of the Dukes. This small ascent will be rewarded with an exceptional view of the entire Dijon plateau. In the summer season, aperitifs are even offered.
The Hotel de Vogüé
Among the most famous private mansions in Dijon, the Hôtel de Vogüé is certainly one of the most beautiful! Dating from the XNUMXth century, its decorations are sumptuous and perfectly maintained. It now belongs to the city, but you can still enter the inner courtyard to admire this architectural ensemble.
Côte-d'Or Tourism © P. MAUPETIT
The Well of Moses
Last testimony of the Charterhouse of Champmol, dating from the XIVth century, this Well of Moses is a small artistic jewel. The sculptures located inside are positioned on a well.
The different places
Dijon is a pleasant city to visit but also very pleasant to live in. Many squares and squares are spread over the city and offer perfect terraces when the weather is nice.
The most beautiful and famous is probably the Place de la Liberation. Located opposite the Palace of the Dukes, the view is breathtaking and the atmosphere, quite friendly with its many restaurants and bars around.
Place Darcy, Place de la République and Place Grangier are also important places in Dijon, with interesting architecture, such as the cinema located on Place Darcy.
If you want to discover more typical squares, popular with Dijon residents, then I suggest you go to Place Emile Zola or Place du Bareuzai.
Bareuzai Square
Place Emile Zola offers many restaurants, where all the terraces are gathered in the center of the square. Intimate, warm and dynamic, it is one of my favorite places in Dijon!
The second, the Place du Bareuzai is more central. It is located not far from the covered markets. It is recognizable by its central fountain and its carousel, which will delight the little ones. In addition, this square is experiencing a new boom since the recent opening of the Bareuzai Court. A very beautiful achievement to highlight the architectural heritage of the city. Beautiful shops, restaurants and bars can be found in this new, very Dijon-like place.
The Auditorium
Dijon is also a city that loves shows and music. Located not far from the Conservatory, I invite you to take a tour of the Dijon Auditorium. A little out of the way from the city center but served by the tram, the architecture of this building will surely seduce you. If you are a fan of classical music, then you can even take advantage of a stay in Dijon to see a show in this modern auditorium.
Côte-d'Or Tourism © JM. SCHWARTZ
The Grand Theater
As mentioned above, Dijon offers a very interesting cultural diversity for its size. So it is only natural that I have to tell you about the Grand Théâtre, located a stone's throw from the Place de la Liberation, in the city center. With quality programming, this Grand Théâtre is also worth a visit for its architecture.
Where to listen to music in Dijon?
Dijon has many performance halls offering various and varied programs. From the zenith to the neighborhood hall, many celebrities have passed through Dijon, even before being known. The most popular performance halls in Dijon will obviously be the Zénith, but also La Vapeur, which highlights the young music scene. Various events are organized in the city, where the squares serve as a musical stage such as during the music festival or the back-to-school concert.
Dijon and gastronomy
Let's talk about serious things now: local gastronomy! Like all French regions, Dijon has some delicious specialties, known throughout the world, and showcased in certain Dijon boutiques.
Mulot and Petitjean
To start, I'll make your mouth water with the gingerbread specialist in Dijon, Mulot and Petitjean. A local institution, the gingerbread and derivative products are just excellent! You will be able to discover the nonettes, these small circles of gingerbread filled with jam. You will find two main shops in the town: one in Place Bossuet and another behind the Palais des Ducs, Place Notre-Dame.
The mustard factories: Fallot and Maille
Dijon is also famous for its mustard which you can find anywhere in the world. The famous Dijon mustard is honored by the Fallot family and by Maille, better known.
The Maille boutique located rue de la Liberté in Dijon is very cute and the old building in which it is located is very pretty.
Côte-d'Or Tourism © F. BONNARD
As for the Fallot mustard factory, located rue de la Chouette, it opens its doors to you to discover the manufacturing procedures necessary before you can taste it.
Opt for the City-Pass Dijon!
The Atelier de la Boutique Fallot, the Tour Philippe le Bon or the Magnin Museum, these are some examples of sites that you can find in the City-pass Dijon. This pass is very practical if you visit Dijon whether for 1, 2 or 3 days. You will benefit from free access to many tourist sites in Dijon. See prices
The covered halls
Dijon and gastronomy is a long love story. To find out, go to the Halles Couvertures, in the heart of Dijon. On market days, the spectacle is sensational and above all, appetizing. The stands of local products are installed everywhere, whether inside the halls or around. You can let yourself be tempted by local cheese, local charcuterie such as parsley ham, or even a small glass of wine at aperitif time. The atmosphere is warm and above all, gourmet!
Côte-d'Or Tourism © F. BONNARD
In season, the event “Le Brunch des Halles” takes place every Sunday. On the program, a great chef from the region offers a brunch in his image. Registration strongly recommended if you are interested!
Visit Dijon: parks and gardens
After having visited the whole city and tasted its specialties, it is now time to take some time to rest and enjoy the surrounding nature. To do this, here are some of the most pleasant parks and gardens in Dijon.
The Darcy Garden
Located just above Place Darcy, you will find a reproduction of the famous Pompon Bear. A pleasant little green space, with a few benches to enjoy sunny days, it is easily accessible from the city center.
Lake Kir
Lac Kir is a popular spot for Dijon residents. Located at the gates of the city, many car parks allow you to park easily; a green corridor makes the lake accessible on foot from the town; and it is also served by city buses. This place is ideal for walking, playing sports or taking the children to see the ducks. With well-thought-out facilities and a walk around it, Lake Kir is also the perfect playground for various events, both sporting and cultural.
Côte-d'Or Tourism © R. KREBEL
The Arquebuse Garden
Located below Dijon train station, not far from the future Cité de la Gastronomie, the Botanical Garden of Arquebuse is also very popular with locals. This space is dedicated to science. In addition to the botanical garden, you will also find a planetarium and a museum. Very playful for young people, it is also very pleasant to walk there.
The alleys of the Park and the Colombière Park
Let's now take the direction of a posh district of Dijon: the Alleys of the Park. Easily accessible from the city centre, you can walk up these large shaded paths to get to the Parc de la Colombière. The houses along this pleasant promenade are all as beautiful as each other. This area is very pleasant and relatively quiet.
Once at the end, you will find a large park, Parc de la Colombière. Trees, vast and with a playful mini-farm for children, this park is perfect for Sunday walks. If you feel like it, you can even take a tour of Rosalie, with family or friends.
Côte-d'Or Tourism © F. BONNARD
The Port of the Canal
Let's finish with this last suggestion for a walk in Dijon, the Port du Canal. An equipped marina, a pleasant stroll and a lively district in the summer season, the Port du Canal is also the starting point for a bike ride leading to the Ouche valley.
Practical advice for visiting Dijon
Now that you know all the things to do and visit in Dijon, you will surely need some practical advice to organize your stay in Dijon correctly. To do this, here are the main practical questions you can ask yourself in the form of questions and answers.
- When to visit Dijon?
- How to come to Dijon?
- Where to park to visit Dijon?
- How long to visit Dijon?
- The best places to eat and have a drink in Dijon
- Where to sleep to visit Dijon?
When to visit Dijon?
You can visit Dijon in any season and all year round. On the other hand, it will be much more pleasant to visit the city of the Dukes on sunny days because some of the things to see are outside. Dijon winters are relatively cold and above all, very humid.So if you have the opportunity to come visit Dijon between June and October, you will have more chance to enjoy the cobbled streets of the city center under the sun.
How to come to Dijon?
Dijon is a city rather well served by trains (TGV and ter). From Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Lille, … direct trains exist. And many other possibilities with possible changes are also possible to reach other French cities or even neighboring ones.Dijon is also located on a very busy motorway axis between the south and the north. The Paris and Lille motorways pass through Dijon. In two hours by road you are in Lyon and in just over 3 hours, you are at the gates of the capital.
As for the plane, this means of transport is not present in Dijon, but you can arrive in Dole, Lyon or Paris and reach Dijon easily by train or car.
Where to park to visit Dijon?
If you go to Dijon by car, then the problem of parking will arise. Several options are possible.First of all, depending on your accommodation (hotel, Airbnb apartment, etc.), you may have a parking space, free or at an additional cost. But it can be practical if you are staying in the heart of Dijon.
Otherwise, many underground car parks are available and offer “long-term” rates: Grangier car park, Sainte-Anne car park, Darcy car park or Condorcet car park for the most practical and best placed.
Free parking spaces are very rare in Dijon, however, you have "long-term" areas on the edge of the city center. These places are cheaper if you stay parked for several days.
The last possibility is to park outside the city, in a relay car park, and reach the city center by tram.
One of the great advantages of all these solutions is the ease of payment. Indeed, parking meters can be paid via a mobile application (PayByPhone); underground car parks can be paid directly contactless at the exit or with your electronic toll; and for the tram, your ticket is in fact your credit card thanks to contactless!
How long to visit Dijon?
Here is a big question! It will depend on what you want to visit. For the city of Dijon itself, I thinka minimum of three days is reasonable. You will thus have time to visit a few museums, to stroll through the city and its parks or even to enjoy its city center with the Owl route.On the other hand, Dijon is located in a region of great wealth. You can therefore very easily stay a week in Dijon, visit the city for 2 or 3 days and shine around the city of Dukes the rest of the week. Whether it's visits, tastings and even beautiful walks, you'll have plenty to keep you busy.
The best places to eat and have a drink in Dijon
Given the richness and diversity of Dijon, it would take an entire article to be really complete on the issue. But I will try to give you some good addresses to test first during your visit to Dijon.First, let's start with the addresses where to have a drink:
- Mr Mustard : in the heart of Dijon, in a magnificent renovated private mansion, you will discover an offbeat place and offering various original cocktails. A famous and popular place for Dijon residents.
- Dr Wine : also located in the historic center, this wine bar is the trendy place in Dijon to taste a Burgundy. A little extra: its inner courtyard.
- Delirium Bar : beer lovers must know this Belgian beer. The particularity of this bar is that it is located in a former private mansion, in the heart of Dijon. I therefore recommend that you first admire the interior and, if you wish, take the opportunity to drink a beer, in moderation.
- Place Emile Zola : you will find many bars here where you can have a drink in Dijon in a pleasant setting, such as the Berthom or the Chouffe Bar and the Blue Dog.
Regarding the addresses where to eat, the choice is even greater! Between gourmet restaurants, bistros, foreign restaurants, … it is very complicated to choose from so many good addresses! But here is an overview of my favorites:
- DZ'envy : located around the covered halls, here is a very good address created by a renowned chef in the region.
- Maison Milliere : another address located in an exceptional place! A typical old private mansion, you can enjoy a historic setting while having a meal.
- Villa Vauban : renowned and very chic address, you will discover refined cuisine in an equally exceptional setting.
- The nest : a vegetarian address, Le Nid is located in the brand new Bareuzai passage, which we mentioned earlier. A successful bet with succulent recipes.
- Good addresses rue des Godrans : Lucilla, La Menuiserie, Chez Léon, …
Where to sleep to visit Dijon?
After the question of good addresses, let's move on to accommodation! As you can imagine, the answers will be so many! I have therefore devoted a specific article to answering this housing problem. You will find good addresses for all budgets and all types of stays: family holidays, weekends with friends, business trips, etc. Read the article: Where to sleep in Dijon?What to do around Dijon?
You will understand, you are not ready to get bored during your visit to Burgundy! Dijon is already a city rich in things to visit, but the surroundings are just as much. In this section, I present to you some of the main places to visit around Dijon during your stay. Of course, this list is far from being exhaustive and there is much more to see around Dijon!
Visit Beaune
Let's start with Dijon's little sister: the city of Beaune. Wine-growing city par excellence, Beaune is a tourist city to discover without delay! With its historic center, smaller than that of Dijon, but just as rich in history and old buildings, Beaune is a city to visit in the region. One of its main places of interest is of course the Hospices de Beaune. Symbol of the city, it is a must see in the region.
If you want to know more about Beaune and the things to do there, I invite you to read our dedicated article.
Visit the Clos de Vougeot
Another absolutely unmissable place to visit around Dijon: the Château du Clos de Vougeot. Located in the heart of the Burgundy vineyards, this Château is the indisputable symbol of the prestigious Burgundy wines. During your visit, you will first discover a place steeped in history, which has known darker hours, but which has been saved and which is now perfectly maintained; you will also learn more about its past, the wine-growing activities linked to this place and the development of the Estate.
Throughout the year, various events are also organized. To enjoy a complete visit, I strongly recommend that you opt for a guided tour. I detail everything you need to know in our dedicated article below.
Do a wine tasting in a cellar
Of course, after visiting wine places such as the Château du Clos de Vougeot or the city of Beaune, you cannot miss a tasting in a cellar. The choice is vast in Burgundy. For this, I advise you to look on the site Ruedesvignerons : you will find all the areas of the region and the services offered by each (tasting, visit, sale, etc.).
Book your tastingVisit Guedelon
Located just over 2 hours away, I highly recommend a stopover in Guédelon. You probably know it by name: it is a fortified castle that was built only with the means and techniques of the Middle Ages. A gigantic project, lasting several decades, which allows many scientists and specialists to study and experiment. A very educational place, where each workshop is reconstructed and presented in a fun way. To visit Guédelon Castle is to take a leap into history and discover what were the means used to achieve the construction of gigantic monuments such as fortified castles with few machines.
A really interesting experience to do with or without children.
Take nice walks
Once again, Burgundy is a region full of beautiful things to visit and discover. So I conclude this part with an activity that can be done in various places: hiking. Not far from the Morvan Regional Natural Park, the Ouche valley, Val Suzon and even the Jura, Dijon can be the starting point for magnificent hikes. Without forgetting the wine-growing coasts which can be the subject of beautiful walks in the heart of the vineyards.
I hope you liked this article. It is relatively comprehensive and covers various topics. You should have a good starting point to prepare your stay in Dijon. If you have any questions that I haven't answered, please feel free to leave a comment.
My opinion on this visit to Dijon
Of course, my opinion may be slightly influenced by my origins... But trying to be as objective as possible, I think Dijon is an essential city to visit and discover! A lively, active, pleasant and incredibly rich city, Dijon has sites that will interest a large part of its visitors. Museums, history, religion, culture, music, activities for the youngest, architecture, … You will surely find visits for you!
In addition to all this, I find that Dijon is a city where it is pleasant to walk thanks to its large pedestrian area. Shopping enthusiasts will not be left out either.
In any case, it was a real pleasure to make you discover my city and I hope that you will also appreciate this overview of Dijon. Do not hesitate to leave in comment your feedback, experiences and tips! I would be happy to answer them.
