Cool Things To Do In Dijon

You probably know of French city Dijon because of the famous Dijon mustard. Dijon is the capital of the Burgundy region. Although Dijon is well known for its mustard, there are many other things that make this city special, for example the wines made in this region, gastronomic festivals that are held in the city, and of course the amazing architecture all over the old part of the city. Dijon is a place with a lot of things to see and to do. And in this article, I prepare 8 cool things not to miss in Dijon, France.

Table Of Contents (Cool Things To Do In Dijon):

• Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy
• Place de la Libération
• Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne de Dijon
• Church of Notre-Dame of Dijon
• Saint Michael church of Dijon
• Darcy Garden
• Dijon Central Indoor Market Hall
• François-Rude Square

Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy

The palace of the Dukes of Burgundy is a well-preserved building with some of the oldest parts dated to the 14^th and 15^th century. The palace once was a residence of the Dukes of Burgundy and nowadays houses city hall and a museum full of artifacts from the Middle Age. Another part of this palace that may be of interest to those who want to take a picture of the city from above is the tour of Philippe le Bon which was built in the 15^th century. The tour is open to public, so you can join a walking tour and get a nice view of Dijon.

The palace of the Dukes of Burgundy is located in front the square of Liberty in the center of the old city and it is very easy to find. The city has just done the renovation of the palace and it looks amazing. The palace of the Dukes of Burgundy is a must-visit place in Dijon.

Key Information:

Price: adults: 2.3 Euros, children are free;

Hours: from 9 AM to 6 PM;

Location: 1 Place de la Libération, 21000 Dijon, France;

Place de la Libération

The Place de la Liberation, or the square of freedom, is the main square in the old city center. The square has indeed a royal view. It is located right in front of the palace of the Dukes and is a great place to relax and people watch after visiting the palace.

The place de la liberation is truly a beautiful place with a long history. It had quite a few names before it became a square of Liberty in 1944.  The square of Liberty looks like a half a circle and has six narrow streets that lead to it. Around the square there are many cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops. I got a few fantastic postcards in one of the souvenir shops.

If you are going to visit Dijon in winter during the holiday time, you are in luck. The square changes completely. The Christmas market and the carousels are located on the square and it makes it absolutely magical.

Key Information:

Price: free of charge;

Hours: 24/7;

Location: Place de la Libération, 21000 Dijon, France;

Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne de Dijon

The Cathedral Saint-Benigne is a Roman Catholic church that was built between 1280 and 1325. The cathedral is considered to be a national monument and is one of the most interesting tourist attractions in Dijon. The cathedral has a beautiful roof made of tiles, although the building itself is made in the Gothic style.

Inside the cathedral pay attention to the organ and the stained-glass windows that make the cathedral especially charming on a sunny day. There is also a crypt in the lower part of the church. You can get there using the staircase. To visit the crypt you will have to pay 2 Euros and the visit is worth the money, especially if you like spooky places.

Key Information:

Price: entrance is free of charge; crypt – 2 €;

Hours: everyday from 9 AM to 6 PM;

Location: Pl. Saint Bénigne, 21000 Dijon, France;

Church of Notre-Dame of Dijon

Notre-Dame of Dijon is another Roman Catholic church in Dijon. It was built in the 13^th century. The church is considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The church has a statue of Notre-Dame de Bon-Espoir, mostly known as a statue of the Black Madonna.

Before going in pay attention to the western façade of the church, above the main entrance there are lots of gargoyles that are common in the Gothic style. The church has two of Dijon symbols and one of them is a Jacquemart clock on the tower from the western side.

The church is beautiful inside as outside. The amazing architecture will blow your mind. The Church of the Notre-Dame of Dijon has amazing stained-glass windows and organ. Of course the centrepiece and highlight of this church is the statue of “Black Madonna”.

Key Information:

Price: free of charge;

Hours: everyday 8 AM to 6 PM;

Location: 2 Place Notre Dame, 21000 Dijon, France;

Saint Michael Church of Dijon

If you are into Gothic buildings, then the Saint Michael church is another place for you. The church is an amazing example of Gothic style. The façade is marvellous and inside you will find stunning stained-glass windows and a beautiful altar.

The church was mainly built in the 16^th century and is a place to visit while you are staying in Dijon.

Key Information:

Price: free of charge;

Hours: Monday – Saturday: from 8 AM to 7 PM; Sunday from 9 AM to 7 PM;

Location: 5 Place Saint-Michel, 21000 Dijon, France;

Darcy Garden

Darcy Garden is the first park in Dijon. It was made in the 1800s on a reservoir. The park has a nice big fountain that is surrounded by a beautiful white staircase from the both sides.

This is a very nice small oasis where locals relax from the busy city of Dijon. The park has some very nice sculptures and numerous benches to sit on. This is a spot to have a quite day or a picnic with your loved ones.

Key Information:

Price: free of charge;

Hours: 24/7;

Location: Place Darcy, 21000 Dijon, France;

Dijon Central Indoor Market Hall

Dijon central indoor market hall is a historical market full of vendors that sell local products. The market is well-maintained and very clean. Cody and I went there to check the local wines and cheeses as we always do. The Dijon central market has a wide selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, good cheese and salamis, seafood, and different types of meat.

The market is a great place to try some of the local farmers’ food and wine. Along with vendors there are a few cafes and bars where you can get lunch or just a drink.

Key Information:

Price: free of charge;

Hours: 6:30 AM to 1 PM;

Location: 1 Rue Bannelier, 21000 Dijon, France;

François-Rude Square

François-Rude square is a nice little square where some of the gastronomic festivals are held. On weekends there are lots of vendors selling different goods form this region. There we bought some Dijon mustard, since the square is surrounded with cute boutique stores as well.

The François-Rude square has a charming fountain in the middle. The place can be quite crowded, but it does not lose its charm. Since you are going to Dijon, one of the best souvenirs to bring from there is the famous Dijon mustard and François-Rude square is a good place to buy it. However, a place that maybe deserves its own entry on this list is the Maille boutique. This little shop is located on Rue de la Liberte and is a complete mustard boutique. We visited multiple times to try both original and unique flavors, as well as buy jars to bring home with us.

Key Information:

Price: free of charge;

Hours: 24/7;

Location: François-Rude Square;

Cool Things To Do In Dijon

Cool Things To Do In Dijon