Ibis Dijon Central

Dijon and Beaune (transport and visit)

by happyindijon

"Transco bus provides transportation from Dijon along N72 to Beaune." Actually it is N74. Here is the link to Dijon bus company Transco http://www.cotedor.fr/jahia/Jahia/pid/473. (then click on "Télécharger les horaires.."
You can also take a train between Dijon and Beaune (20min trip) Buses and trains both leave from the train station in Dijon.
Thank you for posting questions about Dijon, the first one in 2 months!:-))

Since you have a little time, go to the tourist office and ask for the owl's trail brochure (2,5€)follow the steps and they will show you and comment all the nicest sites in Dijon. http://www.dijon-tourism.com/uk/dijon_parcours_chouette.htm

Have a great stay!

old tradition building

by inuit

in some villages around Dijon you can still find the traditional way of making a house in Bretagne. Nice to see the locals appreciate this way and preserve the houses. They use big logs as a way to support the walls and also as a decoration.

Treasure Trove: Musee des Beaux-Arts Dijon

by Kiriel

The museum of fine arts in Dijon is located in the eastern wing of the Palais des Ducs. Within minutes of walking in I had discovered all sorts of exciting treasures. The beautiful little renaissance boxes made of ivory painted with gold. The brightly painted ceramic plates. A dreaming man carved of wood. Stunning altarpieces. I just wandered from scene to scene, lost in contemplation.

Some four hours later I emerged, having taken more than 400 photographs, not even having looked at the paintings newer than the 16th century!

Whether you are interested in history, or simply beauty you will find things to excite you here.

Tomb of John the Fearless and Margaret of Bavaria.

by breughel

Entering the Guards Room of the palace one stands in front of the imposing tomb of the duke Jean sans Peur and Marguerite de Bavière. This tomb was carried out between 1443 and 1470 by the two sculptors Jean de la Huerta and Antoine le Moiturier.

In 1470, the tomb was erected in front of that of Philippe the Bold in the chorus of the church of the chartreuse of Champmol near Dijon. They remained there until the Revolution and were moved in 1792 in the Saint-Bénigne cathedral where they underwent extensive damage. Parts, in particular ten of the remarkable "pleurants-mourners" statues on the side of the tomb disappeared.
It's only in 1819 that the tombs were restored after a search of the missing parts.
The actors of this restoration: the architect Claude Saint-Père, Févret de Saint-Mémin curator of the museum, the sculptor Joseph Moreau and the architect Marion de Semur are represented by four new statues of "pleurants".

The two tombs were finally installed in the Room of the Guards of the palace of the dukes and inaugurated in 1827. Meanwhile some "pleurant-mourner" statues were found in France or abroad (4 are at the museum of Cleveland).

To overview the whole of the tombs it is necessary to go up on the gallery (was closed) or to stand on the platform along the windows (from where I took my photographs).

List of the Dukes of Burgundy:
1364-1404 : Philippe II le Hardi (Philip the Bold)
1404-1419 : Jean sans Peur (John the Fearless)
1419-1467 : Philippe III le Bon (Philip the Good
1467-1477 : Charles le Téméraire (Charles the Bold)

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Tombeau de Jean sans Peur et Marguerite de Bavière.
Dès que l'on entre la Salle des Gardes on a devant soi le tombeau du Duc Jean sans Peur et son épouse Marguerite de Bavière. Ce tombeau est réalisé entre 1443 et 1470 par les deux sculpteurs Jean de la Huerta et Antoine le Moiturier. En 1470, le tombeau est mis en place dans le chœur de l'église de la chartreuse de Champmol, en avant de celui de Philippe le Hardi. Ils y restent jusqu'à la Révolution et sont déplacés en 1792 dans la cathédrale Saint-Bénigne où ils subissent d'importants dégâts. Des parties, notamment dix des pleurants disparaissent.
Ce n'est qu'en 1819 que les tombeaux son restaurés après recherche des pièces manquantes.
Il faut savoir que quatre des pleurants, sur les dix manquants et reconstitués, représentent les acteurs de cette restauration : l'architecte Claude Saint-Père, Févret de Saint-Mémin conservateur du musée, le sculpteur Joseph Moreau et l'architecte Marion de Semur. Les deux tombeaux sont enfin remontés dans la Salle des Gardes du palais des ducs et inaugurés en 1827. Entre temps certains pleurants ont été retrouvés en France ou à l'étranger (4 au musée de Cleveland).

Pour bien voir l'ensemble des tombes il faut pouvoir monter à la galerie (qui est généralement fermée ou monter sur l'estrade le long des fenêtres (d'où j'ai pris mes photos).

A trip to Burgundy

by carmye

"What I enjoyed the most in Burgundy:"

-Its food: traditional dishes from Burgundy: boeuf bourguignon, escargots bourguignon, coq au vin, oeuf meurette, jambon persille.
-Its wines: all.
-Its cocktail: Kir royal (cassis and champagne).
-Its history: the Dukes of Burgundy were more powerful and wealthier than the Kings of France during the Middle Age. Abbaye de Fontenay and the order of Cistercian monks.
-Its beautilful tiled roof houses. The best is the Hotel-Dieu - Hospices de Beaune.
-Its veloroute Beaune-Santenay: going through vineyards and villages whose names are found on a fine-dining restaurant wines list: Beaune, Pommard, Vosnay, Vougeot, Meursault, Nuits St-George, Puligny-Montrachet, Santenay.

"Visiting la Bourgogne in May 2009"

Dijon: the capital of Burgundy.
Beaune: the most beautiful city of Burgundy.
Autun: built after Emperor Augustus' name in 1st century AD.
Chateau Marsannay-la-Cote: a wonderful wine tasting experience.
Nuits St-George: a beautiful small town. Very friendly people.
Abbaye de Fontenay: a cistercian abbaye built in 12th century AD. A UNESCO World Heritage site.

"Practical info"

Very good transportation system: an half hour train to go from Dijon to Beaune. Buses go everywhere, in and out of Dijon. Free shuttle (la Chouette) goes around the historical centre ville in Dijon every ten minutes.
Place Emile Zola: a lively hangout place with wonderful restaurants.
Biking is a popular way for daily activities: to go to work or to do groceries shopping. Bike rentals (8 Euros/day) include helmet, a detachable small bag in the front, big enough to put a picnic with a wine bottle of course.
Tips to have a good experience with local people: speak French, even it's just a simple "bonjour, s'il-vous-plait, pardon and merci". It does help a lot. Lower your voice in public places, especially restaurants. Be polite, always ask "excusez-moi, Monsieur/Madame" before asking strangers a question. Say "pardon" when you need to pass in front of someone.