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What to See and Do

Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy

Located right in the heart of the city, the Palace of the Dukes and Estates of Burgundy is still the most iconic of Dijon’s monuments. Its central part is occupied by the city council and dominated by the Tower of Philip the Good. This 15th-century look-out post offers a panoramic view from a height of 46 metres above the city of a hundred bell towers.

The Beaux-Arts Museum has occupied the eastern wing of the palace since 1799. It has been entirely restored and its 50 rooms display a collection of 1500 works of art. This museum boasts one of the richest collections to be found in France.


The International Gastronomy and Wine Centre

As a food and wine capital, Dijon is famous for its culinary specialities which include mustard, snails, crème de cassis, chocolate, and gingerbread… Located in the heart of the town, the “Cité internationale de la gastronomie et du vin” (international food and wine centre) offers an exhibition area of 1700 m² devoted to French gastronomy and wines from the world over.

With five Michelin-starred restaurants, a lively indoor market in the city centre and an international food fair, Dijon really is a gourmet city. The historical centre is a classified “international tourism zone” where the core of 1200 boutiques stays open seven days a week. Does that not make it the perfect shopping venue in the Dijon metropolis?


Musée des beaux-arts de Dijon

In the heart of Burgundy, the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Dijon is one of the oldest museums in France, dating back to the Ancien Régime. Thanks to the legacy of the Dukes of Burgundy, the museum boasts some of the finest masterpieces of the late Middle Ages. Its encyclopaedic collections, which stem from both the founding period of the Revolution and the curiosity of collectors, are an invitation to discover a wide variety of works, from Egyptian art to the 21st century. The museum is housed in the former Hôtel des Ducs de Bourgogne and the eastern part of the Palais des Etats. As such, it is an essential testimony to the art and history of Burgundy from the end of the Middle Ages to the end of the 19th century.

Despite the classical regularity imposed at the end of the 17th century, the diversity of the palace's buildings, erected from the 14th to the 19th century, bears witness to the building's centuries-long history: residence of the Dukes of Burgundy, then home to kings and governors, seat of the States, drawing school at the origin of the museum, and finally Dijon town hall.

Dijon's Musée des Beaux-Arts symbolises the city's roots, with works representing the region's artistic creativity, but also its openness to the world, with collections representing five continents. With the renovation of the museum, the 21st century is also taking its place in the palace, with architectural interventions that aptly assert its openness to contemporary life. 


Église Notre-Dame

With its high portal surmounted by a double row of arcades with fine columns and its harmonious proportions, it is a masterpiece of Burgundian Gothic built in 20 years (1230-1250). At the top of the south tower, the Jacquemart, a clock composed of a bell and an automaton, is a gift from Philip the Bold who confiscated it from the Flemish of Courtrai. The 11th century Black Madonna, damaged during the Revolution, is the object of an important cult while the owl sculpted on a north pillar outside the church has become a good luck charm.


Lac Kir

Thirty hectares of green spaces surround the artificial lake created by Canon Kir where you can enjoy sports or relaxation activities. Theme trail from Lake Kir to the Combe à la serpent Park. A signposted path goes by the lake to reach the developed combes and then the back-coast. In summer, Dijon-Plage operation with rental of parasols, deckchairs and supervised beach. Numerous sports events (beach volleyball, tennis, triathlon...), fireworks and concert on July 14th. Possibility to rent a sailboat at the nautical base or canoe kayak. Canoe and sailboat rental at the beach.


Gastronomy

If you’re visiting Dijon for the first time, then make sure you try each of these culinary specialities that are so typical of the Burgundy capital!

Mustard : Mustard is a typical Dijon condiment which was very popular during the flourishing period of the Burgundy Dukes. Nowadays, it benefits from the protected geographical indication “Moutarde de Bourgogne”. The Fallot mustard factory is the last manufacturer of authentic traditional mustard made from grains grown in Burgundy and ground by millstones. You can even make your own mustard during a workshop with a mustard maker who will reveal all the secrets!

Crème de cassis : The key ingredient of Kir, crème de cassis, is a sweet blackcurrant liqueur which appeared in Dijon in the 19th century. The original blackcurrant bushes were planted at the ends of the grape-vine rows to produce fruit for the liqueur’s local ancestor, ratafia. Crème de cassis is obtained by steeping Burgundy blackcurrants in alcohol to which sugar has been added.

Dijon gingerbread : Imported from Flanders by the Dukes of Burgundy, pain d’épices is a cake made from wheat flour and honey and flavoured with cinnamon, ginger, star anise, coriander and clove. The majestic Mulot et Petitjean gingerbread factory is over two hundred years old! Make sure you try a “nonnette”, the iced gingerbread biscuits with marmelade and honey that used to be made by nuns at the monastery.

Bœuf bourguignon : Beef Burgundy is a traditional Sunday dish and an iconic speciality of the terroir, since it combines beef from the renowned Charolaise breed and red wine from Burgundy. This beef stew is cooked with mushrooms, button onions and lardons.

Escargots à la bourguignonne : This dish of wild Roman snails from the Burgundy region is prepared with parsley garlic butter. Above all, it is a dish served on big occasions such as a Christmas dinner or a gourmet meal.


Wine

Burgundy has a higher number of appellations d'origine contrôlée (AOCs) than any other French region, and is often seen as the most terroir-conscious of the French wine regions. Burgundy wine has a world class reputation that goes beyond Europe. The various Burgundy AOCs are classified from carefully delineated grand cru vineyards down to more non-specific regional appellations. The most famous wines produced here, and those commonly referred to as "Burgundies," are dry red wines made from pinot noir grapes and white wines made from chardonnay grapes.

Try vineyard excursions, visit the wine cellars, do wine tasting tour of Dijon, and more !


Burgundy

For those staying for a longer visit, the Burgundy region (also known as « Bourgogne » in french) also boasts magnificent sights, lovely landscapes and the world-renowned vineyards. The Route des Vins (Wine Road Trip) brings you to the most famous vineyards and grapes Tourist sites of Burgundy include the Rock of Solutré, the Hospices de Beaune, the Ducal Palace in Dijon, and many Renaissance and mediaeval châteaus, castles, churches and abbeys. Burgundian restaurents are famous in France for their cuisine such as Charolais beef, Bresse chicken, coq au vin and epoisses cheese.

For more information visit the La Bourgogne website.





Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy

The International Gastronomy and Wine Centre


Musée des beaux-arts de Dijon


Église Notre-Dame

Lac Kir


Bœuf Bourguignon


Burgundy Wine

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