A guide to Dijon, France

A guide to Dijon, Burgundy’s wine-soaked middle ages capital

Burgundy’s wine-soaked middle ages capital has actually long been a cradle of development, art and gastronomy.

There are numerous factors to check out the capital of France’s Bourgogne-Franche-Comté area– not least its setting amidst the Burgundy vineyards, its gastronomic tradition and its wealth of history and art. As soon as part of the Roman Empire and capital of the Duchy of Burgundy from the 10th to 15th century, Dijon has a pedestrianised, UNESCO-listed historical heart with numerous middle ages townhouses, Renaissance-style estates and romanesque and gothic landmarks. Numerous of its museums have actually begun using totally free entry in the last few years, while modern art has actually been incorporated into outside public locations. In 2022, the opening of Dijon’s Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin– a white wine education, retail and leisure complex– likewise brought brand-new energy to the city.

Numerous centuries of the city’s past are represented throughout the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy complex. Climb up the 316 ancient stone actions to the top of its 150ft-high Tour Philippe le Bon for scenic views over the city. Later on, check out the palace’s Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijonwhose walls are covered with middle ages work of arts and modern art. Established in 1787, it resumed in 2019 after a 10-year restoration.

From here, walk to the 13th-century Church of Notre-Dame of Dijon to admire the robot clock atop its south tower and look for the popular owl– a little middle ages sculpting that’s considered an all the best beauty and sign of the city. Sign up with the residents and travelers who collect here to make a desire while rubbing it with their left hand.

Rue de la Chouette (Owl Street) is on the north side of the church and it’s here you’ll discover boutique-atelier La Moutarderie Fallotthat makes its famous Dijon mustard utilizing a grindstone. Tastings of the initial are provided together with more recent productions that present flavours such as blackcurrant. Even more along the street is Maison Millièrea 1483 previous merchant home that’s now a dining establishment, red wine bar and tea space. It worked as a background for the 1990 Gérard Depardieu movie Cyrano de Bergerac.

To sample more of Dijon’s well known items, head to the Les Clos Vivants white wine store. It hosts everyday tastings of Burgundy white wines together with another French favourite, the blackcurrant liqueur crème de cassis, which stems from Dijon. Do not miss out on Les Halles Market, where regional manufacturers offer cheeses, snails and all way of baked products in a spacious wrought-iron structure created by Dijon-born engineer Gustave Eiffel.

Stroll down the primary shopping street Rue de la Liberte, lined with 15th-century structures and home to a satellite branch of Paris’s high-end Galeries Lafayette outlet store. The road causes Dijon’s very first public garden, the 19th-century Jardin Darcy, a verdant pocket of ponds and waterfalls that’s worth a walk. You can get park treats from neighboring Mulot & & Petitjeana heritage shop specialising in gingerbread that’s made according to a standard dish– Dijon’s cake-like gingerbread is famous throughout France.

It’s a 20-minute walk south to Dijon’s most recent cultural and gastronomic center, Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin10 years in the making and partly housed in a grand previous health center, it provides interactive displays on French gastronomy and white wine, tasting experiences and workshops plus a wealth of stores, dining establishments and bars to hop in between.

For a location to remain, attempt Mother Shelter on the edge of the historical centre, which opened its Dijon branch in 2023. Elegant spaces and an internal movie theater and bar-restaurant are matched by painted ceiling murals that take motivation from regional destinations such as Burgundy’s vineyards.