Activities in and around Dijon

Dijon, “the city of a hundred steeples”, is the capital of Burgundy-Franche-Comté. A land of history, it boasts a vast historical and cultural heritage. In the popular mind of the French, Dijon is the city of the famous mustard. But you’re about to discover that there’s a lot to discover, and that the city is home to many treasures. And the same applies to the surrounding area.

If you get the chance to discover Burgundy, then you’ll realise what a spectacular region it is in so many ways.

Find out all this and more in the rest of this guide to Dijon and the surrounding area. Let’s get on with Dijon!

What are the main things to do in Dijon?

Dijon residents and tourists alike can enjoy a thousand and one activities in Dijon. To make things easier for you, we’ve put together a list of some of the most popular and some of the really must-do activities.

1 – The Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy

Dijon’s most emblematic and unmissable landmark is undoubtedly the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy. With its remarkable architecture, it comprises several buildings: the former ducal residence dating from the Middle Ages and the Palace of the States of Burgundy dating from the 17th century.

Within the Palais, you’ll find a number of other exceptional venues, including:

• The Musée des Beaux-arts, considered to be one of the largest and oldest museums in France.

• The Tour Philippe Le Bon, which offers a magnificent panoramic view of the city and its surroundings.

• The Chapelle des Élus and the Salle des États, which can only be visited by prior arrangement at the Tourist Office.

2 – Les Halles de Dijon

You can’t visit Dijon without sampling its local produce and specialities.

To do so, you absolutely must take the time to visit Les Halles de Dijon.

All you have to do there is browse the stalls and shop windows to discover Dijon’s know-how and its various products. Regional wines are obviously in the limelight. Whatever your tastes, don’t hesitate to take advantage of the many tastings. A guaranteed success!

Good to know: if you have a sweet tooth, be sure to visit Mulot et Petitjean. This city landmark has been producing the most incredible gingerbread you’ll ever taste, since 1796. The shop is located on Place Bossuet.

3 – Notre Dame Church

The church has always played an important role in the history of Dijon. The Notre-Dame building is a magnificent example of Dijon’s religious architecture.

Among its many special features are the automatons that come to life every time the clock strikes the hour.

4 – The Hôtel de Vogüé

The Hôtel de Vogüé is the city’s most beautiful town house. If you like architecture, don’t hesitate to admire its facades and interiors in the classical and Italian Renaissance styles.

5 – The Moses Well

Another must-do in Dijon is the Puits de Moïse (Moïse’s Well) at the Chartreuse de Champmol. If you’re a lover of sculpture, you’ll discover some real masterpieces.

6 – Dijon’s parks and gardens

To round off your discovery of the city, don’t hesitate to explore Dijon’s parks and gardens. A veritable treasure trove of greenery, they are ideal for a quiet break between two sightseeing tours.

Some of the best places to visit include

• Jardin des Sciences

• Darcy Garden

• Parc de la Colombière

A great way to discover Dijon

The Owl Trail is a must-see in Dijon. It’s a fun and practical way to discover Dijon, with small signs representing an owl. The route is also signposted with arrows on the ground, so you can discover all the city’s most emblematic landmarks.

With this activity, not only is it impossible to get lost, but you’ll also discover all the city’s most striking monuments, buildings and alleyways.

Why an owl?

The choice of the owl is far from insignificant: this diurnal bird, considered a lucky charm for several centuries, is above all the symbol of the city. If you pay attention, you’ll even find it in the corner of Notre-Dame church.

What to do around Dijon, discovering Burgundy

If you’re wondering what to do around Dijon, you’re in for a treat!

Here are just a few examples of what you can do just a few kilometres from Dijon.

1 – Discoverthe wines of Burgundy and Beaune

One of the region’s star activities is undoubtedly the Burgundy Wine Route and its historic capital: Beaune.

Although you can prepare this activity on your own, a visit to the town’s Tourist Office will give you the benefit of personalised guidance and excellent advice. The programme of visits you can make includes

• Discover Beaune and its historic centre.

• Wine tasting at estates on the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits.

If you’re interested in this theme, you can also explore the region’s medieval villages and their Romanesque churches, and discover some incredible historic monasteries.

These include

• Vézelay,

• Noyers-sur-Serein

• Flavigny-sur-Ozerain,

• Semur-en-Brionnais,

• Châteauneuf-en-Auxois

• …

In conclusion:

If you’ve made it this far, you now have plenty of ideas for activities to make your next trip to Dijon an unforgettable experience. Between heritage and cultural visits, there’s so much to do and discover. The first step is to organise your accommodation and transport. After that, all you have to do is book your activities.

The city’s tourist office offers a City Pass. Don’t hesitate to check it out and take advantage of the many good deals on offer.