The Owl trail
To explore Dijon’s must-see attractions, simply follow the bronze arrows discreetly embedded between the cobblestones of the protected area. The Dijon Owl remains the city’s emblematic figure. Perched on a buttress of Notre-Dame, it has become a symbol of good luck for visitors who touch it with their left hand, the hand of the heart. It’s always exciting to discover it, and to make a wish by stroking it in turn.
The Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy
The origins of the Palace of the Dukes and States of Burgundy date back to Dijon’s first city walls, built in the 3rd century. Located in the heart of the Burgundian capital, it served as the residence of the dukes until 1477, when it became the home of the king and governors representing the province. From 1681, it also housed the assemblies of the States of Burgundy and the offices of elected representatives, and from 1787, the École de Dessin and its museum were added to its history.
Museum of Fine Arts
From medieval times until the 15th century, what is now the Palais des Ducs et des Etats de Bourgogne was no more than a modest fortress adjoining the castrum, built in the 3rd century.
Between 1364 and 1404, Philippe le Hardi, the first Valois duke, undertook the reconstruction and extension of the ducal dwelling.
From 1681 to 1786, the Governors of Burgundy, then the Assembly of the States, enlarged and transformed the former Palais des Ducs into the Palais des États de Bourgogne. In 1766, François Devosge founded the Dijon School of Drawing, which a few years later moved to a new wing along rue Rameau.
In 1799, the museum opened its doors to the public, enriched by numerous state deposits since 1803. In addition to an active acquisition policy, the museum has benefited from the generosity of numerous donors, with over 700 names listed in its inventories.
In 1852, a new wing was built to the east, between the palace and the grand theater, to house the collections.
During the period 1939-1945, to protect them from the war, the museum’s works were transferred and installed in the region’s châteaux.
Between 1945 and 1950, after the war, the reinstallation of works in the museum was accompanied by a major reorganization.
In 1970, work was undertaken to accommodate the Granville donation.
The history of Dijon gingerbread
Gingerbread, an ancient product first recorded in China in the 10th century under the name “Mi-kong”, was praised for its energy and preserving qualities, making it a prized battle ration for Genghis Khan’s horsemen. At the time, it consisted solely of flour and honey. Through the crusades, this honeyed bread gradually found its way into Western culinary culture, enriching itself with spices along the way.
In the Middle Ages, gingerbread conquered Europe, delighting squires and monks in castles and convents. It found its place at the table of the Dukes of Burgundy thanks to Marguerite de Flandre, wife of Philippe le Hardi, Duke of Burgundy, who introduced “Boichet”, the ancestor of gingerbread, made from wheat flour and brought back from her travels.
In the 20th century, Dijon counted as many as twelve gingerbread houses. Today, Mulot & Petitjean is the city’s last remaining gingerbread factory.
The Darcy garden
The Darcy Garden stands out as the city’s very first public park, a true pioneer of its kind. Today, it’s one of the city’s most popular green spaces. It’s easy to spot thanks to its central fountain and the emblematic statue of the Pompon bear, a reproduction of François Pompon’s work by Henri Martinet, which sits majestically at the entrance.
The Arquebuse Garden
The peaceful, verdant Jardin de l’Arquebuse lies close to the train station, offering a bucolic escape in the heart of the city. This sanctuary of tranquility teems with life, home to a remarkable diversity of plant and animal species, a tribute to biodiversity. Among its jewels is a flourishing botanical garden where currant and blackcurrant bushes flourish freely. Majestic redwoods and cedars of Lebanon, among other species, add to its natural charm.
Today, the garden is home to over 1,500 plant varieties in its botanical garden and 250 trees in its arboretum. This exceptional site has earned the Écojardin label since 2014, testifying to its commitment to the environment and the preservation of biodiversity.
Colombière Park
The park’s paths lead to the vast Domaine de la Colombière, one of Dijon’s largest parks. Dating from the 18th century, it reflects the aesthetics of the French gardens inspired by King Louis XIV’s celebrated gardener, Le Nôtre. With its sixteen wide geometric paths, grassy expanses and majestic woodland housing over 3,500 trees, it offers an elegant and serene atmosphere.
In addition to its natural charm, the park is home to animal enclosures where visitors can admire goats, donkeys and even peacocks. A variety of entertaining activities await visitors of all ages, including a carousel, playgrounds and stands serving pancakes and waffles. For an even more picturesque experience, it’s possible to explore the park in a horse-drawn carriage or aboard a rosalie, offering an unforgettable day out for the whole family.
Philippe Le Bon Tower
Towering 46 meters above the city of Dijon, the Tour Philippe le Bon offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding region. Built between 1450 and 1460 on behalf of Philip the Good, it forms an integral part of the majestic Palais des Ducs et des États de Bourgogne. Once known as the terrace tower, it symbolizes Dijon’s medieval grandeur during the era of the powerful Valois dukes.
Designed by Lyon architect Jean Poncelet, the tower is part of an architectural ensemble that also includes the logis ducal. Its rich history and remarkable architecture make it an emblematic symbol of the history of Dijon and Burgundy.
Moses’ well
The Moses Well, a testimony to the past, remains the vestige of a calvary that once occupied the center of the great cloister of the Chartreuse de Champmol. Today, it is carefully preserved in the grounds of the Dijon specialist hospital in Burgundy-Franche-Comté.
Church of Notre-Dame de Dijon
This is Dijon’s oldest church, steeped in history and familiar to all. Construction began in 1230 and was completed in 1250. Its facade impresses with its triple row of false gargoyles framing delicate arcatures. At the top sits Jacquemart, reigning over time since 1383: this automaton and its clock were brought back from the Kortrijk belfry by Philip the Bold, as a war trophy.
A small owl carved on a chapel adjacent to the church has become Dijon’s lucky symbol: according to tradition, stroking this owl with the left hand while making a wish is a ritual practiced by the city’s inhabitants.
Le château de Bussy Rabutin
In the wooded Auxois valley, not far from Montbard, stands the majestic Château de Bussy-Rabutin, renowned for its unique collection of portraits by a disgraced courtier of Louis XIV. Stroll through the formal gardens and admire the picturesque views of the château, surrounded by its moat.
Count Roger de Bussy-Rabutin (1618-1693), cousin of Madame de Sévigné, was at once a soldier, a courtier and an acclaimed writer. His criticism of the mores of the time kept him away from the royal court, banished for revealing the gallant histories of the greats of his time in his work “Histoire amoureuse des Gaules”.
In the 19th century, the Count of Sarcus undertook the restoration of the château, which was classified as a Monument Historique in 1862, thus initiating national protection of private property. Acquired by the State in 1929, the estate has since benefited from extensive restoration work, which began in the 1970s.
Awarded the “Remarkable Garden” label, the superb formal garden was restored in 1990 to its 17th-18th century appearance. It features water features, green alcoves, a labyrinth and groves bordered by star-shaped paths. The terrace is adorned with parterres of boxwood, old roses, shrubby peonies and perennial flowers, while mythological statues dot the grounds. The park is also home to an apiary, ice houses, a dovecote, an orchard and a kitchen garden where old varieties of vegetables are grown.
