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Top 10 Things To Do In Dijon

Dijon is the capital city of the historic Burgundy region in eastern France. It is located at the meeting point of the Ouche and Suzon rivers. The Canal de Bourgogne connects the Yonne and Sa葟ne rivers. This opened up Dijon to other regions thus making it a transportation hub. After the French Revolution, the city declined due to the suppression of its provincial institutions. In 1851 with the introduction of the railway new wealth and population grew.

Dijon is famous for its traditional mustard, vineyards, autumn gastronomic fair and building styles. It has a rich history with its city full of historic building and cultural activities. To truly appreciate Dijon here are 10 interesting things to do while at Dijon;

Abbey Of Fontenay

Abbey Fontenay – Wikipedia

The abbey of Fontenay is a former Cistercian abbey founded by Saint-Bernard of Clairvaux in 1118. After the French revolution which led to the departure of the monks, it was converted into an industrial premise. Luckily all the buildings within the abbey were well preserved. In 1981 it was declared a UNESCO world heritage site.

The Romanesque-style building is of great simplicity and modesty with its basilica design in the form of a Latin cross, cloister, sleeping quarters, chapter room, the common room, bakery, dining hall and the ironworks gives an insight of the self-sufficient and simple lifestyle of the Cistercian monks.

The Abbey is decorated with a well-manicured landscape park that was listed 鈥淩emarkable garden鈥� in 2004 by the National Council of Parks and Garden.

Owl鈥檚 Trail

Chouette Dijon – Wikimedia Commons

Le Parcours de la chouette, in French, is a 22 stage trail with three additional 鈥渓oops鈥� to areas outside of the center designed to take you back in time and give you an insight to the history of Dijon. At each stage, there is a large brass owl plaque with a number that guides your tour. Make sure to download an app or get a tour booklet to provide a brief explanation of the various stages. The trail officially starts at the Place D鈥橝rcy.

The original owl is carved on the side of the 脠glise Notre Dame. Local tradition states if you rub the owl with your left hand and make a wish, your wish will be granted. However, if you touch the owl passing from the wrong direction your wish will be eaten by a dragon hiding in the church window to the left of the owl.

Palais Des Ducs Et Des Etats De Bourgogne

The Palace of the Dukes and Estates of Burgundy – Wikipedia

The palace of the Dukes and Estates of Burgundy in English, was once home to the Burgundy鈥檚 powerful Dukes and then the Royal residence when the Duchy of Burgundy was conquered by the kingdom of France in 1477, after the death of Charles the Bold.

The oldest part of the palace dates back to the 14^th and 15^th century, the Tour Phillipe Le Bon, which stands over the palace and which you can climb to have a 360-degree eagle-eye view of the city below.

Today this well-preserved neoclassical architectural building houses the city hall offices which are closed to the public on one side, with the other side housing the famous mus茅e des Beaux-Arts.

Mus茅e Des Beaux-Arts

Mus茅e des Beaux-Art – Wikimedia

Museum of Fine Arts in English, is one of the oldest fine arts museum in France. Established during the enlightenment period in 1787. It is housed in the famous palace of the Dukes and Estates of Burgundy in the Eastern wing of the palace, where the palace鈥檚 former kitchen, guard room and grand reception were.

The museum boasts an exceptional wealth and opulence of the Dukes of Burgundy. This is clearest in the tombs of John the fearless and Philip the Bold, with their epic early-renaissance alabaster sculptures. The museum also has a vast collection ranging from around 13,000 artworks from Egypt antiquities to the 21st-century聽contemporary art.

Church Of Notre-Dame

Eglise Notre-Dame –

The church was built between 1230 and 1250. It is also referred to as the 鈥淕rande Dame鈥� of Dijon. The church has clockwork automatons created in 1382 with an impressive family of jacquemarts, mechanical figures that chime the church bells. The clock tower was looted from Kortrijk by Philip the Bold.

The flat western fa莽ade of this 13th-century聽gothic church is most unusual in France, stands as a welcome contrast to the architectural marvel found in Dijon, with its large porch made up of three arches on the lower level, and three rows of columns give the building a grand stature, drawing your eyes up the rows of magnificent gargoyles.

Jardin de l鈥橝rquebuse

Jardin de L’arquebusier – Wikimedia

This botanic garden is located within Dijon鈥檚 principal park outside the historic center. Taking its name from the 16th-century arquebusiers, a company of soldiers training ground. Their last captain laid an English-themed garden.

At the start of the 19^th century, it was turned into a botanic garden. Now it has more than 4,000 plant species whose main purpose is to acquaint visitors with all the plants that are native to the Burgundy region, while around a quarter of the species are exotic.

The garden also has a natural museum that educates its visitors on biodiversity with exhibits on zoology, geology, mineralogy, entomology and a planetarium.

Hotel De Vogue

Hotel de Vogue –

Built during the French renaissance for Etienne Bouhier, an advisor to the Bourgogne parliament, in 1614. The classical Italian Renaissance architecture incorporated in the grand entrance porch and ornately adorned courtyard departs from the abundance of gothic architecture that lines Dijon鈥檚 many walkways.

Hotel de Vogue marks one of the most outstanding beautiful structures that can be found in the historic center near Ducal Palace. The distinctive tiled roof featuring colorful geometric patterns add to the decorative richness of the hotel.

聽 聽Rue des Forges

Rue des Forges –

This is Dijon oldest and most distinct street surrounded by stunning architecture. The path covers the city鈥檚 conservation area. Strolling along the pathway gives you a real feel of how life was in old Dijon.

By walking the pathway you will get an amazing view of different notable 15-century architecture such as the Place de la Liberation, The owl鈥檚 trail, Dijon鈥檚 cathedral, Palace of Dukes and others. We also have to appreciate Dijon鈥檚 conservation laws because of the way new modern building has been able to blend in with the old cityscape is undeniably mesmerizing and amazing.

Canal of Burgundy

Canal of Burgundy –

It is a canal that connects the river Yonne at Migenness and the Sa葟ne at Saint-Jean-de-Losne. It was constructed between 1775 and 1832 and covers a length of 242km passing 189 locks.

Along the canal you will find seven ch芒teaux, eleven churches, one abbey, three villages and many more points of interest. The scenery is simply elegant with the beautiful lock houses. To best enjoy this water scenery is aboard a barge or a boat.

Dijon Cathedral

Dijon Cathedrale –

Dijon Cathedral in full is known as Cathedral of Saint Benignus of Dijon. It is a Roman Catholic Church. 聽It was built between 1280 and 1325 and dedicated to Saint Benignus of Dijon. The design of the cathedral was intended to resemble the church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The church was initially a Benedictine abbey.

Today the Gothic church serves as museum also. Exhibiting the relics of the Middle Ages as well as Roman artefacts. It also has a subterranean tomb inside. The church still conducts mass up to date. Enjoy the impressive Romanesque and Gothic architecture of the cathedral with its twin towers. Descend the steps to the crypt to view the sarcophagus of Saint-B猫nigne.