Discover Dijon: Wine Landscape, History and Museums
Accommodation in Dijon
The Climats, terroirs of Burgundy, which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, include Dijon and Beaune and remain a living historic wine-growing landscape. At the same time, Dijon’s remarkable heritage area covers 97 hectares and forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage perimeter. When looking for a hotel in Dijon, you can first consider which themes you want to shape your stay: urban history, collections, a walking tour or culinary culture.
Historic Dijon and Its Museums
The protected historic area follows the route of the former medieval city walls. It encompasses around 3,000 buildings, including more than 120 protected townhouses. A central historic building is the Palais des Ducs et des États de Bourgogne: it was first built in the 14th century as a residence for the Dukes of Burgundy and later housed the Estates of Burgundy. The Musée des Beaux-Arts is located in part of the palace. Construction of the complex spanned the 14th to the 19th century; the museum’s exhibition space covers just under 5,000 square metres.
The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon was officially founded in 1799 and preserves more than 140,000 works. The Musée archéologique focuses on a different period: it is housed in the last surviving convent building of the Abbey of Saint-Bénigne, whose visible construction phases date back to the 11th century. Its regional collections span prehistory to the early Middle Ages and showcase significant archaeological discoveries. At the Musée d’Art sacré in the Church of Sainte-Anne, Burgundian works such as goldsmithing, paintings, sculptures and furnishings take centre stage.
The Musée de la Vie bourguignonne conveys the history and ethnography of Burgundy, particularly Dijon. With almost 35,000 objects and works of art, it offers a wide-ranging introduction to these subjects; the size of the collection may change. Together, the museums provide different perspectives, from archaeological periods and art to the history and everyday culture of the region.
Walking Tours, Buildings and Views
The Parcours de la Chouette is a one-hour walking tour with 22 stops through old Dijon. It starts at Place Darcy, providing a specific timeframe for exploring the city. The Tour Philippe le Bon offers a different focus: the medieval watchtower is 46 metres high, has six floors and affords panoramic views over Dijon from its terrace. Access rules may vary; check them before your visit.
The Puits de MoĂŻse also draws attention to sculpture: it consists of a seven-metre-high hexagonal base with six sculptures of Old Testament prophets by Claus Sluter. Dijon therefore offers clearly distinct themes to choose from: a walking tour with a set duration, a view from a tower terrace or a specific work of medieval sculpture.
Botanical and Culinary Highlights
The Jardin de l’Arquebuse combines a museum, a planetarium and a botanical garden to explore scientific subjects. The garden includes a botanical school, a rose garden and an arboretum, as well as an insect hotel, beehives and a wildflower meadow. This combination sets the garden apart from the city’s art and cultural history collections.
Wine and gastronomy offer further highlights. La Cave de la Cité offers 3,000 wine references, including 250 wines served by the glass, as well as bespoke tastings; quantities may change. The offering at the Cuisine Expérientielle at the Cité internationale de la gastronomie et du vin includes culinary shows, cooking challenges with guest chefs, masterclasses and workshops in cooking, pastry-making and mixology. The programme may change. The Chapelle Sainte-Croix de Jérusalem, built in 1459, is open to visitors and presents artworks in a musical setting.
For the broader travel overview: Cote-Dor.
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