Le Clos des Ducs

Rub the owl's tummy

by kathymof

A local custom is to rub the tummy of the owl that is carved into the north side of the Eglise Notre Dame on Rue de la Chouette. You are supposed to rub it with your left hand since it is closest to your heart. They now have security cameras trained on the owl 24 hrs a day due to some vandalism. His tummy is very smooth and polished from all of his tummy rubs. My dog would be jealous if he knew about this.

Crypte de la Cathedrale Saint-Benigne

by northeast80

The main part of the church is a stop on the Owl Walk, but the crypt is not. We only noticed it after coming out of a shop and seeing the sign along the side of the Cathedrale.
A donation of €1 was gratefully given, once again when I tried my bad French was answered in very good English and given a guide and map of the crypt in English.
The crypt is, as usual, the oldest part of the Cathedrale. It was built between 1001 and 1026 by William of Volpiano, the basilica above was destroyed in 1280 and was replaced by the current church above, the crypt survived.
The church was partially demolished during the French Revolution (1789-1793), only the crypt survived, once again, and was filled in.
Only from 1860 was it begun to uncover it.
Quite a strong and resilient crypt!!
In the entrance hall is a mini information centre about the church and crypt.
Down there there's a tomb said to be of 'a Saint', facing the burial is the rotunda supported by three crowns of 8, 16 and 24 pillars. Only one of the capitals is original to the rotunda, depicting a man in prayer with uplifted arms, quite rare for this period; a time when figurative sculpture was practically unknown.
There is still an even larger part of the crypt filled in. I would urge you to pay the donation in order for it to be excavated.
Who know's what gems lay hidden!!
(Oh in English it is known as Saint-Bernard)

Salle des Gardes: Tomb of Jean the Fearless (2)

by hquittner

The second Tomb in the Salle des Gardes is that of Jean the Fearless (sans Peur) and his wife Margaret of Bavaria. The Tomb was created between 1443 qnd 1470. Jean was assassinated in 1419. The Tomb was commissioned by Philippe the Good, his son. It was to have been created by de Werve, but he died before beginning. The new sculptor was first Jehan de La Huerta, who resigned followed by Moiturier, both of Aragon. He was to finish it in 3 years but it took over 20 (not as easy as it looked!). The commission included language indicating that this tomb should be as like the other as possible. No wonder it took so long!

THE SPLENDOURS OF THE DUKES OF BURGUNDY.

by breughel

"Palais des Ducs de Bourgogne."

For us Belgians Burgundy is a part of France we have very close historical links with. From the 14th to the 16th c. we belonged to the Duchy of Burgundy under the denomination of “Pays-Bas Bourguignons”.
Brussels was with Dijon one of the administrative capitals of the Dukes of Burgundy. It is not surprising therefore to find in Burgundy so many artefacts made in Brabant or Flanders which are now Belgium.

Dijon is also for present travellers a good stop on the way to the south of France.
We spent an afternoon visiting the most interesting monument of the city which is the Palais des Ducs de Bourgogne.

I started writing my comments in French as most visitors at the Palais des Ducs de Bourgogne spoke French.

DIJON

by ncoutroulis

"GREAT WINE"

Dijon is just a great little town in Burgundy. It's picturesque, and quaint. And oh yeah, they have great mustard. Mustard everywhere! And great food and wine to go with it. It's situated very close to vineyards as well, so if you get bored with Dijon, you can always jump in your car and go wine tasting. I spent 3 nights here, and could have stayed longer.