Summary
During the 14th and 15th centuries, Dijon served as the capital of the Duchy of Burgundy, controlling significant areas of eastern France, the Netherlands, Flanders, and Luxembourg. The magnificent residence of the Dukes of Burgundy remains, now housing a remarkable art museum alongside the city’s Hôtel de Ville.
In the elegant historical center, visitors can delve into Dijon’s past by following the Parcours de la Chouette trail, which marks 22 notable sites with the city’s distinctive owl emblem. Given Burgundy’s reputation, the local cuisine is exceptional yet familiar: Think of beef bourguignon, coq au vin, onion soup, complemented by some of France’s finest wines.
Let us examine the top attractions in Dijon:
1. Ducal Palace
At Place de la Libération, one is welcomed by the former residence of the Dukes of Burgundy from the 14th and 15th centuries, currently serving as the town hall.
If it appears out of time, this is because the structure has continuously functioned for the city and underwent expansions in the 17th century under the direction of Jules Hardouin-Mansart, responsible for the Grand Trianon at Versailles.
Hardouin-Mansart also designed Place de la Libération; look between the classical porticoes to spot the Renaissance Tower of Philip the Good rising above.
This oldest visible section of the building dates back to the 1450s.
For those willing to ascend over 300 steps, an unparalleled view of Dijon awaits.
2. Musée des Beaux-Arts
The Fine Arts Museum, housed within the Ducal Palace, was established in 1787 and showcases the wealth and splendor of the Dukes of Burgundy.
The exhibits prominently feature the tombs of John the Fearless and Philip the Bold, adorned with exquisite early Renaissance alabaster sculptures.
Over the years, numerous benefactors have enriched the museum’s collection, including Islamic weapons, glassware, Oriental porcelain, African ceremonial masks, and Ancient Egyptian artifacts alongside Roman art from Switzerland and Germany.
Art enthusiasts can admire works by old masters such as Titian, Lorenzo Lotto, Breughel the Elder, and Rubens, in addition to 19th-century artists like Monet, Manet, Sisley, and Géricault.
3. Parcours de la Chouette
Situated on the north side of the Church of Notre-Dame is Dijon’s emblematic owl, sculptured in the 1500s.
The surface has been polished shiny over centuries by individuals touching it for luck and fulfilling their wishes.
Traditionally, this should be done with your left hand, passing it on your left side, or the wish may not come to fruition.
The owl serves as the focal point for a 22-stop tour throughout the historic center, with each attraction marked by a brass waymarker featuring the charming owl design.
Obtain a trail guide from the tourist office, and the walk will take approximately an hour, providing a brisk tour of the city.
If you prefer to explore at your own pace, the trail allows for a leisurely afternoon visiting shops and relaxing at café terraces along the way.
Three loops exist within the trail: Moses, Rousseau, and Zola.
4. Musée de la Vie Bourguignonne
Located within the cloister of a 17th-century Bernardine Cistercian monastery, this ethnographic museum illustrates both rural and urban life in Burgundy from the 1700s to the early 1900s.
The ground floor features a general collection of 19th-century ethnographic artifacts, including regional costumes, furniture, household tools, and decor.
The first floor presents a more dynamic experience, showcasing ten tableaus representing traditional regional trades, including hatters, grocers, butchers, and barbers, along with their authentic tools from the 1800s and 1900s.
Additionally, visitors can learn about the history of Dijon mustard at the museum, covering this condiment’s background.
5. Rue des Forges
Connecting Place François-Rude to Rue Verrerie, Rue des Forges lies within the city’s conservation area, combining preferred shopping with the opportunity to admire some of the city’s most elegant historical buildings.
Amidst the high-end boutiques, one can find mansions belonging to distinguished figures of Dijon’s history.
For instance, at 52-56, Hôtel Morel-Sauvegrain was once home to the nurse of Charles the Bold, a former Duke of Burgundy.
The highlight is at 34-36, where Hôtel Chambellan features a decorative gate leading to a courtyard adorned with a stunning carved wooden gallery and a stone spiral staircase, dating from the 15th to the 17th centuries.
6. Musée Magnin
From the late 1800s until the 1930s, affluent Parisian magistrate Maurice Magnin and his sister Jeanne collected approximately 2,000 pieces of art, which were bequeathed to the city along with their 17th-century hôtel particulier.
Over years, they acquired art that appealed to them at auctions, regardless of the artist’s fame.
The collection boasts a rich assortment of paintings by lesser-known French, Flemish, and Italian artists.
The exhibition prominently features French art from the 1500s to the 1800s, particularly from the 1600s by notable artists such as Bourdon, Laurent de La Hyre, and Eustache Le Seur.
7. Church of Notre-Dame
In the heart of the old town, this 13th-century Gothic church presents a distinctive design rarely seen in France.
Its flat western façade is particularly remarkable, featuring a porch comprising three arches at the lower level.
Above, two rows of columns are lined with a series of gargoyles depicting various monsters, animals, and humans (a total of 51 gargoyles). Step back from the western entrance to discover the jacquemart within the tower above.
The clockwork automatons that toll the church’s bell were seized from the city of Kortrijk by Philip the Bold in the 1380s.
8. Jardin Botanique de l’Arquebuse
The Arquebusiers were a group of soldiers that resided and trained on this site until the late 1700s when their final captain established an English-style garden.
At the beginning of the 19th century, it transformed into a botanical garden, featuring over 4,000 plant species.
The garden’s purpose is to introduce visitors to plants native to the Burgundy region, while approximately a quarter of the species are from other global regions.
A green thumb is not necessary to enjoy the tranquil park, complete with serene groves, pergolas, ponds, and formal flower beds.
9. Museum d’Histoire Naturelle
The Natural History Museum, located in the Jardin des Sciences, occupies the former barracks of the Arquebusiers, dating to 1608. Established in 1838 by Leonard Nodot, a Dijon naturalist, the museum has a long-standing history.
The ground floor features geological exhibits regarding the Burgundy region, including fascinating fossils, such as a mammoth leg bone, various molluscs, and the antlers of the extinct Irish megaloceros deer.
The upper level combines modern interactive displays about the natural world with 19th-century “cabinets of curiosity” showcasing shells, taxidermy specimens, and butterfly collections, providing insight into the locale’s history.
10. Dijon Cathedral
Dijon’s Gothic cathedral was completed in the 15th century, but numerous architectural elements date back several centuries.
Before entering, take a moment to appreciate the stunning Burgundian patterned roof.
Entrance to the cathedral’s crypt incurs a small fee, yet it is worthwhile, as it leads into the church’s oldest section.
This segment from the 1000s functioned as the underground area of an abbey, established to protect the tomb of the 4th-century Saint Benignus.
The design aimed to mimic the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
11. Musée Archéologique de Dijon
Adjacent to the cathedral lies Dijon’s archaeology museum, situated in the primary wing of the former abbey.
Awarded the prestigious “Musée de France” label, it chronicles human activity in Burgundy from prehistoric times through the Middle Ages.
Due to its historical background, Christian art and architecture are highlighted, allowing visitors to explore the 13th-century Monks’ dormitory and traverse the crypt’s shadowy passages.
On the second level, the Bronze Age Treasure of Blanot contains a remarkable collection of bronze and gold jewelry and tableware.
Additionally, be on the lookout for the Rochepot bracelet, crafted from solid gold and weighing 1.3 kg.
12. Les Halles
Dijon’s covered market is designated as an official “monument historique” and was constructed from cast iron and glass in the 1870s.
Marketplaces in France are consistently captivating, yet few rival the size or beauty of this one.
Examine the animal motifs adorning the spandrels between the grand arches, and try to spot the medallions of Ceres (the Greek goddess of harvest) and Hermes (the god of trade). However, the culinary offerings are, in fact, astonishing.
With hundreds of stalls brimming with flowers, seasonal fruits and vegetables, cheese, fish, and spices, it’s a vibrant tableau of local produce. For the brave, observe how every part of an animal is utilized in Burgundy!
13. Église Saint-Michel de Dijon
This remarkable church was erected at the crossover between Gothic and Renaissance styles around the early 16th century.
Both styles are evident due to construction delays caused by financial constraints from the conflict between Louis XII and Maximilian I, the Holy Roman Emperor.
Marvelous carvings on the South Portal from 1537 illustrate myriad angels in Gothic detail.
Next to it, the central portal features sculptures from 1551, reflecting the transition to the Renaissance, with further angels resting on pedestals and adorned with garlands and rosettes.
14. Cuisine
Numerous French culinary staples originate from the Dijon area, including Coq au Vin, known to many as the chicken and wine stew.
Onion soup, featuring slices of baguette and melted Saint-Nectaire cheese, is another renowned dish.
Wine plays a significant role in Beef bourguignon, the classic braised beef dish.
Do not overlook the delectable snails or, of course, Dijon mustard.
Although the condiment is no longer produced in the city itself, the heritage can be appreciated at the Epicerie Maille on Rue de la Liberté, established in 1845, offering a range of mustards, oils, and vinegars.
For a taste of culinary history, visit Multot & Petitjean at Hôtel Catin de Richemont on 15 Rue Bossuet; it is the oldest pain d’épices (spiced cake) bakery in the city.
15. Drink
Crème de cassis, a liqueur produced from blackcurrants grown around Dijon, is typically enjoyed as a post-meal digestif and is popular in cocktails such as Kir.
Burgundy is synonymous with wine, boasting more appellations than any other region in the country.
Directly south of Dijon lies the Côte de Nuits region, where six communes produce distinguished grand cru wines.
For instance, Gevrey-Chambertin, located less than 15 kilometers away, is noted for its rich reds and features an impressive nine different grand cru vineyards. Visitors can sample the remarkable variety of local wines at Philippe Leclerc Cave, which also includes a museum detailing the evolution of regional viticulture.
