Dijon

Monumental City of Mustard

Home to Dukes of Burgundy for 4 centuries, Dijon is a magnificent combination of colour and culture. Set on a large square with fountains, the Ducal Palace houses a fabulous fine art museum. You can climb Philippe Le Bon tower here for wonderful views of the multi-coloured tiles typical of the city’s roofs.

Equally as vibrant are the half-timbered facades in the Old Town. The best examples are in cobbled Place François Rude, where relaxed bars and cafes offer good people watching.

On a grander scale is Place Darcy whose Porte Guillaume arch faces a shady park. Dijon’s many green spaces include huge Parc de la Colombière whose central path was considered by Louis XIV the most beautiful in his kingdom. Another popular walk is along Promenade de l'Ouche starting near the hospital and ending at large Kir Lake where you can swim.

This is an evidently wealthy city, so there are plenty of places to shop, but a must-see is Les Halles market, designed by Gustav Eiffel, architect of the tower.

Don’t check out of your Dijon hotel, apartment or B&B without touching the owl on the side of Notre Dame church – use your left hand for good luck. Dijon Airport is a domestic airport, but the city is easily reached by car and train.