Burgundy’s historic capital offers a travel experience rooted in art, gastronomy, and medieval architecture. Unlike the sprawling urban rush of Paris, Dijon invites visitors to slow down and appreciate centuries of carefully preserved heritage. Its compact, pedestrian-friendly center makes it one of France’s most accessible and rewarding city breaks.
The city’s identity is deeply tied to the Dukes of Burgundy, whose wealth and influence shaped its grand palaces and churches. Today, that legacy lives on in the city’s distinctive polychrome rooftops, half-timbered houses, and world-class museums. For food lovers, Dijon is a pilgrimage site, serving as the gateway to the famed vineyards of the Côte d’Or.
Exploring Dijon is often a sensory experience, from the aroma of fresh pain d’épices (spiced bread) to the visual delight of its Renaissance courtyards. The local tourism board has implemented an excellent self-guided walking trail known as the Owl’s Trail, which connects the main highlights. It is a city designed for wandering, where hidden passageways reveal quiet gardens and ancient wine cellars.
While the city is famous for its mustard, there is far more to discover beyond the condiment shops. The architecture spans Gothic, Renaissance, and 17th-century classical styles, often existing side by side. This blend of the rustic and the regal gives Dijon a unique atmosphere that feels both authentically French and distinctly Burgundian.
Visitors can easily spend two to three days exploring the museums, markets, and culinary institutions. Because most attractions are within a short walk of each other, it is an efficient destination for travelers. Whether you are a history buff, a wine enthusiast, or a family looking for culture, Dijon delivers a rich, immersive experience.
To help you plan your itinerary, we have compiled the essential stops that define this magnificent city. From sacred spaces to culinary landmarks, these locations offer the perfect introduction to the capital of Burgundy.
Palais des Ducs et des États de Bourgogne
| Address | 1 Rue Rameau, 21000 Dijon |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | 03 80 74 52 09 |
The Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy is one of the highlights of Dijon. The historic city center and the beautiful main square create a wonderful atmosphere. A truly charming place that I would love to visit again.
A Court, A Crown, A City. Read the palace as a sequence of patrons and designers. First, the Burgundian court: in the mid fifteenth century Duke Philippe le Bon consolidates his seat here, raising the great tower that still centres the ensemble, on plans attributed to the Lyonnais master Jean Poncelet. Next, the French Crown: under Louis XIV, Jules Hardouin-Mansart regularises the frontage, draws a cour d’honneur and sets a new royal square before it, giving Dijon a classical face that speaks in orders and pediments. Finally, the modern city: the old palace becomes Hôtel de Ville and Musée des Beaux-Arts, its courtyards and galleries reworked for civic life and public collections. In one view you pass from ducal assertion, to royal classicism, to a museum-city that lives in both.
A beautiful and impressive place in the heart of Dijon, with grand architecture and a strong sense of history. The square in front of the Palais is also very nice for walking around, taking photos, and enjoying the atmosphere of the old city.
One small detail not to miss: look carefully at the old survey level marks on the wall in front of the palace — they show historic elevation measurements above mean sea level and are a fascinating reminder of the accuracy of old surveyors.
To visit the Palace you shall visit the museum of fine arts. A lot of paintings and art pieces. The top thing to see is the Duques tombs.... JUST AMAZING.
Great food market with a wide variety of options. There’s something for everyone, and the choices make it easy to try different dishes in one place. A nice spot to visit for fresh, tasty food and a casual meal.
Musée Magnin
| Address | 4 Rue des Bons Enfants, 21000 Dijon |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 – 6:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 – 6:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 – 6:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 – 6:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 – 6:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | 03 80 67 11 10 |
To visit museum is free. Only second floor it was closed cuz of so hot weather temperature. During this hot weather they close to visit second floor. But they said , during the morning , its open to visit. Probably after 12 oclock when start to be so hot temperature they close to visit.
Closed this Tuesday - with a written sign posted to the entrance door - even though online they are ‘Open’. I might have excused this if it was a single day emergency closure - but it was a closure until Friday.
So on the information source everyone uses they state ‘Open’. On the information process used 30 years ago they are ‘Closed’.
In addition, we asked specifically at the main Dijon city tourism office. They stated - the museum is Open. There is no acceptable excuse for this treatment of the museum mandate.
Care about people. Care about their time. Care about them making plans. Care about visitors coming from near and very, very far. Just…care…then the management will act responsibly instead of without any care.
Small wonderful museum in the center of Dijon. For a small price we got a lot of fun. Mostly paintings from the 17th-18th centuries are collected. You can take a guide to the museum in several languages completely free of charge. And the building itself is interesting from an architectural point of view with a nice courtyard.
A museum full of old paintings but as well with furniture and deco... very cool.
Free entry is a bonus. Some art pieces are beautiful. Description on the art are in French . Need google translate. Not very big area compared with The Louvre in Paris
Bag deposit I guess is complimentary
Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne de Dijon
| Address | Pl. Saint Bénigne, 21000 Dijon |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 6:30 PM Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 6:30 PM Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 6:30 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 6:30 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 6:30 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 6:00 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | 03 80 30 39 33 |
To visit Catherdrale is free , absolutely u should visit. But also u can visit "La Rotonde" , its under of Catherdrale. But this visit is with guide. And at 15 oclock starting visit with group. Ticket price is 5 euro per person , there have some reduction for some people depends their personal situacion. Our guide it was a young lady , she explained amazing. First she was explain in French , after in English. I highly recommend it.
A magnificent cathedral with a striking exterior and a beautifully serene interior. The unique roof tiles are stunning, and the atmosphere inside is incredibly peaceful. It’s rich in history and located right in the heart of Dijon, definitely worth a visit.
An impressive cathedral and friendly and supportive staff inside.
Donations can he done using contactless payment, which was very convenient.
Commemorative coins are really heavy but affordable.
impressive medieval cathedral, worth to visit and also a place of silence and pray
Offcorse you can't miss it if you are visiting Dijon. When you see the cathedral outside building from some distance, it's amazing. When you are close you lost a bit the magnitude due to the surrounding buildings. Inside is nice.
Jardin Botanique de l'Arquebuse
| Address | Muséum d'histoire naturelle, 1 Av. Albert 1er, 21000 Dijon |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM Thursday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM Friday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM Saturday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM Sunday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Phone | 03 80 48 82 00 |
Nice jardin with close proximity to the train station. Nice for running, nice for walking, has some very timeless museums in it
Extremely well kept gardens. Plenty of space for everyone and places to have a picnic or rest. Really incredible and beautiful 😍
Lovely garden and beautifully curated. Absolutely loved my time here and had a great morning walk and exercise!
We were told to visit this park, hoping to see some nice flowers. But end of august it seems that the flowers are not as beautiful as they probably would be during spring.
But nevertheless its a nice park to walk through and enjoy the quietness of a park in a city.
Enough place to sit in the shadow during hot days in summer. Some gardeners would be nice to clean up the sides and some bins for people to throw their dirt. Now we have seen beer cans between the flowers.
For us it's a one time visit as it was not that special to walk 2km from our hotel Grand Hotel la Cloche.
This Botanical Garden and Arboretum is located quite near the Gare Dijon and there is a pathway leading to the Garden..the garden contains nearly 4000 plant species..there are easy walking paths throughout the garden and plenty of benches for relaxation…there are a diversity of wild and cultivated plants..we spent three hours in this fabulous garden area..
The Owl of Dijon
| Address | 11 Rue de la Chouette, 21000 Dijon |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Open 24 hours Tuesday: Open 24 hours Wednesday: Open 24 hours Thursday: Open 24 hours Friday: Open 24 hours Saturday: Open 24 hours Sunday: Open 24 hours |
| Phone | — |
A small but very special symbol of Dijon. The Owl is easy to miss if you walk too quickly, but it is one of the most charming details in the old town. Many people touch it with their left hand and make a wish, so it has become a kind of “wish stone” for visitors. A lovely little stop while following the Owl Trail and exploring the historic streets.
Palm-sized and polished by countless hands, the little owl carved into Notre-Dame’s wall turns a side lane into a ritual. Touch with your left hand and make a wish; the brass pavement plate with the owl logo marks the stop and small arrows carry you along Dijon’s Parcours de la Chouette. This is the route’s namesake and most photographed moment: modest stone, big civic idea. I like how the trail knits small details to major landmarks - marker, brief engagement, onward wayfinding - so one carving speaks to grander sites across the old town.
The “Owl of Dijon” is a small stone owl carved into the exterior of the medieval Church of Notre-Dame of Dijon. It is one of the city’s most famous symbols. Visitors traditionally touch the owl with their left hand and make a wish for good luck. The owl also inspired Dijon’s self-guided “Owl Trail,” a walking route connecting historic landmarks around the city.
It's fun, following the trail. If you see no 9. , please look straight up and you'll see the small owl statue. We actually missed it!!
A modern old town, just follow the golden arrows for sightseeing. The shops are neat and orderly. I saw people slipping after the rain because the floor is slippery. It is recommended to wear shoes a good shoes. There is a restaurant that supports Down syndrome. I recommend you try it.
Darcy Garden
| Address | Pl. Darcy, 21000 Dijon |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM Thursday: 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM Friday: 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM Saturday: 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM Sunday: 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Phone | — |
Cosy place to rest and recover during a city trip. You can refil your water bottle. We visited in July and everything was burned, but still nice.
A beautiful but small park.
It reminded me a bit of Central Park Bethessa Terrace / Fountain in NYC.
The water fog machine was highly appreciated
A beautiful and peaceful garden, especially in the early morning. It is the perfect place for a quiet walk and to enjoy nature
Beautiful serene inner-city park.
Great park to walk through, admiring the view or to seat down reading a book while the world moves on. It is also a wonderful place to have a picnic while the kids play in the play area.
Tour Philippe le Bon
| Address | Pl. des Ducs de Bourgogne, 21000 Dijon |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | 03 80 44 11 44 |
Great panoramic views from the top! Not that hard to climb for the average person, but during the summer it is pretty hot inside, making it more uncomfortable. Once you reach the top, though, you’ll be rewarded with a great view of Notre Dame and many other influential buildings. Tour guide was really helpful and informative, too.
Originally the Tour de la Terrasse, Tour Philippe le Bon was built into Philippe le Bon’s 1450s ducal logis. It served the levels of a residence arranged around service rooms, ducal apartments and reception space, while also containing rooms of its own. At 46 metres, that practical stair-and-room structure made Burgundian ducal authority visible across Dijon. After 1477, the palace changed masters and meaning; the tower remained, even surviving a 17th-century demolition threat before becoming part of today’s town-hall and museum complex. The later observatory and modern 316-step climb add further lives, but the old palace logic is still there: movement, residence and authority carried upwards.
I honestly thought the climb would be harder. I didn’t get winded, and the stairs were wide enough not to have to “grapevine” sideways up and down them. The tour was really inexpensive, as well as informative! And there were a few breaks in the ascent to learn about the tower’s history, and catch your breath if necessary. And the views are incomparable!
On the night of 21 July, 2024, my wife asked me if I’d join her to climb up the tower the following day, I said no right away as I did not want to repeat the knee straining experience.
My wife booked the 3pm guided tour and I watched possible signs of her from down under. I had thought about taking a photo take of her when she was up.
It tuned out that there was an additional safety barrier on the tower roof and I could only capture her selfie camera stick when she extended it beyond the barrier.
A beautiful square in the center of Dijon with lots of restaurants and local shops to buy products from this area.
During summer it's very busy with tourists but that makes the square a living area.
The buildings are having the beautiful French architecture which makes the place a must to visit when you're in Dijon
Parc et Jardin Darcy
| Address | 21 Pl. Darcy, 21000 Dijon |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM Thursday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM Friday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM Saturday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM Sunday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Phone | 03 80 74 51 54 |
Relax place. During our visit , we saw people are preparing concert for tradicional music and dance.
Lovely garden! I really like the vibe of this place—very calming, very peaceful. The garden is full of cute dogs as well. The water fountain is very clear and lovely. I really like the Mary-go-round, very cute!
Peaceful park with some excellent history of the development of Dijon’s drinking water, construction of a large reservoir, pool, fountains and tranquil gardens. Very popular place for locals to come and relax, eat lunch, read or just enjoy the view.
We visited in the morning when it is cool and peaceful. You can enjoy the water features and the green trees. A polar bear statue greets you as you enter from the old town side.
Good place beautiful and water is clear.
Open to public for free.
Close to there is also McDonald's, burger king and very much fastfoods nearby.
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon
| Address | Palais des ducs et des Etats de Bourgogne, Pl. de la Sainte-Chapelle, 21000 Dijon |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM Thursday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM Friday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | 03 80 74 52 09 |
Its free to visit permanent collections and this museum is in the middle of center. If u have time and if u are around , u should visit.
Amazing museum in an amazing city. The museum is objectively small, only three floors, but what a chic and amazing exposition. I'm not talking about the fact that the entrance is free. This is absolutely and very important for all visitors, especially for those who go with the whole family and who want to join the works of art. And of course many thanks for this to the city. Where I was, I have not seen this anywhere else, it is unique, many thanks to the city for this ones more. Exposition from ancient times to the present day, very good logistics of rooms, very good arrangement of paintings, spacious halls - all this in general is conducive to a calm viewing of the collection.
100% recommendation!
We were greeted by very friendly staff who explained the museum's layout. This museum is large, entry is free, and there are several floors of exhibits to see. The grounds around the museum are picturesque as well. Enjoy!
I visited the museum to see especially Tombeau de Philippe le Hardi. The sculptures are marvelous
Beautiful museum! Spacious with beautiful displays of paintings, sculptures, and archeological artifacts, located in the historical section of Dijon. I spent three hours here and did not see everything, of course time spent depends on your interest. The staff was very friendly, the cost was free! (Thank you!) Museum hours were wonderful, open until 6:30! Highly recommend!
Bus Dijon
| Address | 21000 Dijon |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | — |
Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Dijon
| Address | Muséum d'histoire naturelle, 1 Av. Albert 1er, 21000 Dijon |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 2:00 – 6:00 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 2:00 – 6:00 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 2:00 – 6:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 2:00 – 6:00 PM Saturday: 2:00 – 6:00 PM Sunday: 2:00 – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | 03 80 48 82 00 |
Cool museum, free. Feels like 2006 inside, lots of animals to see, enjoy
It's simple, but very nice, considering it's free. There's a lot of stuffed animals, some fossils and even animal recordings, I thought their work was very well done. Definitely recommend if you have kids, or even if you're just an enthusiastic, like me lol
The whole visit took about 40 minutes and it is not accessible, unfortunately. You have to climb some stairs, some of them really narrow.
Oh, everything is in french, which was good for me as a student, but maybe not the best if you don't speak the language.
Free entry, was bigger than I'd expected (took me half an hour to see everything and take some photos), nothing on the walls in English, but as most of the exhibits are fossils and stuffed animals, it's not really necessary. It's always a shame to see animals killed for display purposes, but I assume these are all quite old (but well preserved of course). Some interesting animals on display, especially the marine life. Employee at the main desk was very welcoming. Next to a nice park. Recommended activity while in Dijon.
We arrived 30 minutes before closing time yet the staff at the entrance insisted we visited the museum. Must say that the staff were friendly and attentive 💯.
The entry is free and the exhibition very interesting to visit, a great compliment to the botanical gardens.
A very much recommended experience for all.
Free museum in a spacious garden park with beautiful blooming flowers. Might be very interesting for kids. Lots of things to see but I can't tell if the animals are real or not... but surely some displays are fake.
Dukes Square
| Address | 100 Bis Pl. des Ducs de Bourgogne, 21000 Dijon |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | — |
Jardin de l'Arquebuse
| Address | 14 Rue Jehan de Marville, 21000 Dijon |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 2:00 – 6:00 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 2:00 – 6:00 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 2:00 – 6:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 2:00 – 6:00 PM Saturday: 2:00 – 6:00 PM Sunday: 2:00 – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | 03 80 48 82 00 |
Lovely parc with flowers, shade et Space for picnics. Closes at dawn, it's clean and peaceful.
Lovely garden with a variety of plants organized in a maze-like way. Pretty trails, a playground, and two museums (free). I've brought a person in a wheelchair before and it's fine.
What a wonderful garden, so peaceful and restoring. Although it was a cold day, it was easy to spend a long time there admiring all the plants, birds and red squirrels. Interesting information throughout the gardens also available in English. Amazing history to this garden going back to the 18th century and trees hundreds of years old
Cool
A large garden, with access to the planetarium (free exhibits and paid screenings), the natural history museum (free), and temporary exhibitions.
A pleasant place for a stroll, winter or summer.
Place notre Dame
| Address | 1 Place Notre Dame, 21000 Dijon |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | — |
The square and the surrounding alleys, slightly off the "main street", are also very beautiful and quieter.
The place is often enlivened by music or singing.
Gorgeous.
Sublime
Colombière Park
| Address | Cours du Général de Gaulle, 21000 Dijon |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM Thursday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM Friday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM Saturday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM Sunday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Phone | 0 800 21 30 00 |
A must visit , excellent place to find hidden historical spots while giving the lungs and legs a treat!
Everything you need to „escape“ the city. Play areas, some small animals, small river banks at the northern end of the park.
Did also an evening run here.
Went for a small picnic for lunch while on a roadtrip through France, bought some local Charcuterie and enjoyed Parc Colombière. The Parks in France are amazing! Unfortunately the toilets are really off-putting, hence one star being deducted...should take more off but the green spaces in the city more than makes up for it
Excellent park, love it. Trees, interesting layout, room to walk and sit as well.
Nice park but huge, make sure you know where you parked your car, really nice for kids and families
Practical Tips for Visiting Dijon
Navigating Dijon is straightforward, but a little local knowledge goes a long way in maximizing your experience. The city operates at a relaxed pace, especially during lunch hours when many shops close. Understanding the local transport, dining customs, and ticketing options will help you avoid common tourist pitfalls and enjoy the city like a local.
- Follow the Owl’s Trail: Purchase a map or use the official app for the "Parcours de la Chouette." This trail is marked by small brass arrows on the ground and guides you efficiently to every major attraction without needing a tour guide.
- Book Restaurants in Advance: Dijon is a culinary capital, and the best tables at traditional bistros and Michelin-starred restaurants book up days or even weeks ahead. Do not rely on walk-ins for dinner, especially on weekends.
- Use the Dijon City Pass: If you plan to visit multiple museums and use public transport, the Dijon City Pass offers significant savings. It typically includes entry to the Ducal Palace and the Magnin Museum, plus unlimited tram and bus rides.
- Visit Markets Early: The Les Halles market is best experienced between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM. Arriving early ensures you see the freshest produce, avoid the lunchtime rush, and have the best chance to chat with vendors before they get busy.
- Embrace the "Moutarde Fallot" Experience: While tourist shops sell standard mustard, visiting the Fallot boutique allows you to taste unique flavors like cassis or truffle. It is a more authentic and memorable souvenir than generic jars found elsewhere.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: The historic center is largely car-free and paved with cobblestones. While distances are short, the uneven surfaces can be tiring, so leave the high heels or thin-soled shoes at the hotel.
Dijon rewards those who allow themselves to get lost in its history. As the sun sets, the illuminated facades of the Ducal Palace and Notre-Dame create a magical atmosphere that feels worlds away from the modern bustle. It is a city that invites you to linger over a glass of Burgundy and watch the world go by.
Whether you are passing through on a wine tour or staying for a long weekend, the city leaves a lasting impression. Its combination of architectural grandeur, culinary excellence, and welcoming local spirit makes it a standout destination in the heart of France.
