Dijon Off The Beaten Path

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The Chartreuse (Charterhouse) of Champmol, or more precisely what is left of it, stands about 1 km west of the Pl. Darcy on the grounds of a psychiatric hospital. It is said that permission needs to be requested from the concierge to view the sites but nobody was around when we visited. What remains of Philippe le Hardi's early 15C mausoleum is the complete portal with the devotional statues of Philipe le Hardi (left) and his wife Marguerite de Flanders (right) both kneeling and praying to the Virgin and Child on the trumeau between the double doors. Behind the Duke stands John the Baptist and behind his wife stands St. Catherine (their patron saints). This is one of the two Claus Sluter masterpieces here; the other is the so called "Well of Moses" which stands in the adjacent courtyard. Sluter was a supreme realist and the figures in both works could step off there pedestals and talk to you. The protagonists in this work show their none topleasant personalities on their faces (no biography is needed). The Chartreuse was destroyed during the Revolution (1793), but luckily these works and more (seen in the Musee de Beaux Arts in the Palais in Dijon-see our Tips) were spared because the men with hammers coild not bring themselves to destroy their heritage, no matter what their feelings about the monarchy and church. Note also the carvings of the consoles below the large figures. It is said that Sluter worked from live models in the Jewish community for these and the prophets on the Calvary (Well). A short distance further west is the artificial Lac Kir (described in Tips by others).

The main sight of the city, is the Medieval center, and also museums. The museum of fine arts located in the Palace of dukes Burgundian, one of the best in France, there are tombs of dukes Burgundian.

Museum Magnin is located in a fine private residence of XVII century. Francois Rjuda museum is located in the church of Saint-Etienne. The museum of natural history and history of architecture is in ancient the abbey Sen-Benint.

I know, I know. Why would you go to school when you don't have to? Simple. Because it's French school, and it is much cooler than American school! Just go in and visit. The buildings are amazing and usually have beautiful courtyards and gardens as well. The atmosphere is so laid back and comfortable.

To get to the wineries you must exit off of the main road. Just take a turn on one of the side roads and Viola! You have just bumped into Veronique, a sweet French woman who will help you taste and select wine.

Ride over the mountains to Geneva....NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED ....scarey roads with lots of hairpin bends.
Had to really concentrate to stay on the road as the rain just fell out of the sky.
Water was running down the mountain sides and was like raging rivers across the roads.

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As was customary, the consoles under portal statuary were also carved. There are statements that all of the statues, even these consolw figures, were taken from real life models.

This city is small and silent, it is first of all the city of wonderful architecture and art.

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There are beautiful and old buildings all over. The best way to see them is on foot. The town is level and the old town is quite compact so it is easy to get around on foot