 |
What to See & Do in Dijon, France | |
| Dijon has lots to see in a compact area, and much can be visited for free. | ||
|
|
|
Dijon was the capital of the Dukes of Burgundy, and the Palais des Ducs de Bourgogne still stands today in the center of town at the Place de la Libération (map) as a reminder of those glory days More... The Palais is home to the wonderful Musée des Beaux Arts. In addition to housing an extensive collection of paintings and sculptures, the Museum focuses on the Dukes of Burgundy and their impressive lives—and their deaths, including ornate and beautiful tombs. After extensive renovations, the Museum reopened in 2013 and is marvellous. More... Dijon has several other museums of interest, ranging from Archaeology to Bourguignonne Life to the works of François Rude. Best of all, Dijon's museums are free! More... The Tour Philippe le Bon, which towers over the Palais des Ducs de Bourgogne, provides great views of the city—if you're up for climbing the 316 steps. More... Take a few minutes to admire the beautiful Chapelle des Élus, dating from the time of Louis XV, which is accessed from the Tourist Information Office. More... And of course Dijon has a number of interesting and beautiful churches, some as old as the 13th century. More...
One way to see the major sights of Dijon is to follow the Parcours de la Chouette, or Owl's Trail, a self-guided walking trail indicated by brass owls in the sidewalk. In addition to the museums and other sights listed above, this walk points out many of the beautiful hôtels particuliers (mansions) of Dijon. More... If you like food, you'll love Dijon. Be sure to check out its wonderful market, or Halles, if you're in town on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. With a great variety of food (and other items) on display, it's a fun place to visit, even if you're only shopping with your eyes. More...
And if you want to do more shopping, head to the Rue de la Liberté, a pedestrian street lined with stores. There's lots to buy in Dijon, from mustard to cassis to wine. More... If you need a break from the hustle and bustle and taking it all in, go for a stroll in the lovely Jardin Darcy, Dijon's first public garden. From there you can also take a look at the Porte Guillaume, an 18th century triumphal arch. Dijon has lots to see and do in the compact center of the city. It's an easy place to get around on foot and you can easily see the major sights in a couple of days. I first visited Dijon in 1968, as a college student, and have many fond memories of my time there. More...
|
|
Above, Place de la Libération, seen from the top of the Tour Philippe Le Bon.
|
