Dijon, the capital city of Burgundy

Dijon is the prefecture of the "Cote d'Or" department, the historical capital of Burgundy, and also the new administrative region Bourgogne-Francé-Comté.

Dijon in photos

Situated in central-eastern France, the city is on the western slopes of the Saône River and the Rhone Valley, the first settlements were prehistoric and later Roman (with the name of Divio)./p>

Dijon lies on the old trade routes between Paris and Lyon, which have ensured its commercial success and importance for centuries.

The city begins southward spreading vineyards of Burgundy with the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune.

It is a beautiful historical city with many places to visit, such as the Palace of the Dukes, from which the powerful Burgundy Dukes ruled their lands.

When you are hungry there are restaurants at every corner, offering dishes not only from Burgundy but also many other world cuisines, there is always a menu to meet your budget and satisfy your taste buds. The cafes with terraces are the ideal place to try the traditional mixture of Cassis and white wine.

Visit the church of Notre Dame and view the unique facade covered with gargoyles. On the western wall, you’ll find an owl sculpted in the stone wall of the church, place your right hand on the carving and make a wish.

There are also many shops specializing in food products such as bread, cheeses, wines, spices and sauces. The important market which sells food is indoors, but the clothes and other objects are spread out along the streets.

The Palais des Ducs de Bourgogne

The Palace of Dukes was the throne to the powerful Burgundy Dukes, the construction slowly changed over the centuries from a fortified castle into an elegant palace. Today it is open for visits, is the centre of official parades and ceremonies and is also one of France’s finest art galleries. The antique quarter is set near the Rue Verriere with cobbled streets and half-timbered houses, there are treasures from all ages.

Travel is much easier since the new tram system has been implemented. You can quickly cross the city from the centre to the huge shopping malls without parking or traffic worries. There are plenty of dedicated cycling paths and self-serve rental bikes can be found on most of the major streets.

What to see in Dijon…

• Ducal Palace
• La Tour Philippe le Bon
• Art museums
  • Musé des Beaux Arts, Place St Chapelle
  • Art Sacrée, 15 rue Sainte Anne
  • Vie Bourginonne, 17 rue Sainte Anne
• Les Halles, is the indoor marketplace built in 1873, both indoor and outdoor markets take place every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday
• The mustard shop in the Rue de la Liberté which dates back to 1820
• The cathedral and crypt of Saint Bénigne
• Notre Dame Church

Famous People from Dijon

Gustave Eiffel, who built the Eiffel Tower in Paris. He was born on the 15th of December 1832, a few metres away from the "Port du Canal" in the street "Quai Nicolas Rolin". Eiffel is also credited for designing a hydraulic bridge (now replaced) at the exit of the Port du Canal.

Streets and places to walk

• Place Francois Rude, named after a French sculptor, is an iconic part of the city with its fountain and halftimbered cafe.
• Rue de la Liberté is the main shopping high street, with impressive clothes and fashion boutiques.
• Rue Berbisey, with a Cosmopolitan mixture of shops and architecture.
• Rue de la Choutte, near the cathedral Notre Dame with elegant antique eshoppes.

Festivals and expos

• Gastronomic festival, every October
• Florissimo, one of Europe's most important flower festivals, is held every four years
• Christmas market, 2 weeks before Christmas

Travelling to Dijon

It's easy! You have some easy choices.

Road access

There are Autoroutes from the North, South and East, including the German and Swiss borders. A6 (E15) from Paris and Lyon, A5 (E17) from Reims, A39 and A36 (E60) to Mulhouse

Trains

Dijon has high-speed train access from Paris & Geneva, with speeds of more than 300km. There are TGV lines to Paris, Nice, Zurich, Mulhouse and other places.