Dijon Things to Do

  Place de la Libération ex Place d'Armes.
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  • Place de la Libération ex Place d'Armes.
      Place de la Libération ex Place d'Armes.
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  • Pompon's sculpture: Ours Blanc
      Pompon's sculpture: Ours Blanc
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  • Pompon's sculpture
      Pompon's sculpture
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  • Pompon's sculpture
      Pompon's sculpture
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  • Dijon Museun of Art
      Dijon Museun of Art
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Crypte de la Cathedrale Saint-Benigne
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northeast80 193 reviews
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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)

Written Jun 11, 2007

Address: 12, bd Alexandre-1er-de-Yougos

Related to:
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 Religious Travel
 Historical Travel

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The Owl Walk
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northeast80 193 reviews
The 1st Marker
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The guide says you can do this in one hour but we took about four to do this taking in a lot of sights and shopping in-between.
The walk is very easy to follow, you start at the Tourist Office, just down from the train station and follow the brass arrows on the floor. When you come to a point where you should stop there's a large square with the number stop on it, you can buy a guide book on the walk in the Tourist Office for €2.50
Remember if you want to visit the market, start early, we got there mid-afternoon and they were packing up.
Stop 1 - Jardin Darcy (polar bear sculpture, fountain and tower)
2 - Facade of Hotel de la Cloche (has a bell on the front)
3 - Porte Guillaume (the arch)
4 - Post Office/Place Grangier (make sure you also see the Art Nouveau Hotel des Postes here)
5 - Covered market
6 - Place Francois Rude (red Tudoresque cafe and square with sculpture)
7 - Rue de Forges (with all the amazing stone and wood staircases and carving)
8 - Notre Dame church
9 - The Owl (be sure to rub it with your left hand!)
10 - Maison Milliere (look up to see the owl and cat on the roof)
11 - L'hotel de Vogue (lovely courtyard with a mosaic exbibition when I was there)
12 - Place de Theatre (see the huge Grecian columns)
13 - Echauguette Berbis (a watch tower)
14 - Tour de Bar (had a photography exhibition, a well and stone steps)
15 - Palais des Ducs et Des Etats de Bourgogne (amazing, spectacular 'centre' of the town)
16 - Tour Philippe le Bon (a part of the above bouildings)
17 - Place de Liberation (huge crescent of Georgian buildings a modern fountains)
18 - Palais de Justice
19 - Private Mansions
20 - Saint-Jean church et Place Bossuet (a theatre inside an old church)
21 - Saint-Philibert church
22 - Saint-Benigine church (be sure to pay the €1 donation to see the crypt below)

Updated May 24, 2007

Website: http://www.dijon-tourism.com/uk/dijon_parcours_chouette.htm

Related to:
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 Budget Travel

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Jardin D'Arcy
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kathymof 244 reviews
Pompon's famous Polar Bear
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This is a lovely park that is situated between the main train station and the old town. There is a statue of Pompons Polar Bear at the entrance. This is the same sculpture that can be seen in Musee D'Orsay in Paris and Musee des Beaux Arts in Dijon. There is also a nice fountain/water feature. Many locals can be seen just enjoying themselves either sitting alone or talking with friends.

Written May 5, 2007

Address: Just west of Place D'Arcy

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Cathedral
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Kuznetsov_Sergey 3876 reviews
Dijon - Cathedral

The Church of Saint-Michel is constructed in style of the Renaissance.
The rests of monastic structures Chartreuse de Champomol with well-known Puits de Moise - the Well of prophets which is settling down in territory of psychiatric hospital where other works of sculptor Klaus Sljuter are installed.

Updated Nov 3, 2006

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Notre Dame
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Kuznetsov_Sergey 3876 reviews
Dijon - Notre Dame

Ancient walls of XII century surround the Ducal palace - Palais des Etats and Palais des Ducs where in practically protogenic view it was kept Salle des gardes with Phillip's tombs, and his son - Jean, a chapel where Phillip proclaimed the establishment of "The Award of the Gold Fleece".

The ducal palace was under construction during 400 years. It is a magnificent monument of the historical past. In the XIV-XV centuries the empire of "four great dukes" had its capital in Dijon. The museum of arts is placed in a wing of a grandiose palace. There is the Cathedral Saint-Benigne in the Romance style, built on ruins of more ancient church.

Updated Nov 3, 2006

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Place Francois-Rude
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Kuznetsov_Sergey 3876 reviews
Dijon - Place Francois-Rude

The author of Tour d'Eiffel was born in Dijon. Dijon is famous by the mustard which was begun to make in Ancient Egypt and China, but it have been brought to its manufacture of perfection in Dijon.

A variety of its grades amazes: mustard with a raspberry, a black currant, cognac, liquor - with what only it do not to make! There is even the Mustard Museum.

Updated Nov 3, 2006

Related to:
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 Historical Travel
 Architecture

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Les Halles in Dijon
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kathymof 244 reviews
Les Halles in Dijon

This is the covered market of Dijon. The picture was taken late afternoon after most stalls were closed. It is thriving in the morning and that is the best time to see all the locals interacting in the market. There are many cafes surrounding the market and shoppers and locals love to sit at them sipping a coffee while watching all of the action.

Written Aug 26, 2006

Address: Rue Claude Ramey

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 Museum Visits
 Arts and Culture

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Treasure Trove: Musee des Beaux-Arts Dijon
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Kiriel 85 reviews
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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.

Written Sep 19, 2005

Address: Palais des Ducs Dijon France

Phone: Tel: +33 3 80 74 52 70

Related to:
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 Arts and Culture
 Museum Visits

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The beautiful cathedrals and churches in Dijon
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maritagnes 517 reviews

Unfortunately our visit this time was far to short to stop and take a look at the beautiful churches Dijon has to offer.
A few of the most important churches in Dijon are the Cathedral of St. Bénigne (13th-14th century), the Church of Notre Dame (13th century) in Burgundian Gothic style and the Renaissance church of St. Michael.
I still haven't been able to identify the church I photographed from the road, driving out of Dijon.
If anybody knows its name, I'd be happy to know.

Written Aug 28, 2005

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Place Francois-Rude
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Place Francois-Rude

Place Francois-Rude, in the town centre, is a popular meeting point/landmark. Many of Dijon's cafes, restaurants and shops are found here and it was a nice place to rest and relax after all the walking around.

Updated Nov 12, 2004

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 Place Francois-Rude, in the town centre, is a popular meeting point/landmark. Many of Dijon's cafes, restaurants and shops are found here and it was a nice... 

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  I will driving from CDG Paris to Dijon approximately 6 Sept 20011 and was wondering which would be the most scenic route A5, A6 or... 

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A: Roads with 'A' is motorway and large parts are toll. You don't see very much. Take N or D roads which is nice but will take longer. Then you pass through smaller towns ... 

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The Splendors of a Medieval and Renaissance Power

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Capital of Burgundy

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 Dijon is the capital of Burgundy. A city not just known for mustard, but also for great architecture, food and wine. First impression as one arrives at the station, Dijon seems to be a modern city,...... 

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