 There's a great deal more to the ancient capital of the Dukes of Burgundy than its famous mustard. It's a gourmet's delight, a veritable cornucopia of delectable local dishes and the famous Côte d'Or wines. Dijon's mercantile and rich cultural history has bequeathed a legacy of medieval half-timbered buildings, graceful architecture and elegant mansions.
Your high-speed TGV train from Paris or Lille will deposit you at Dijon-Ville station just 5 minutes' walk from the very heart of this thriving city. In fact Dijon is ideal for visiting on foot and exploring the narrow streets lined with ancient town-houses top-heavy with their projecting upper storeys.
Take it from the top: 315 steps above street level atop the Philippe Le Bon Tower you have a magnificent view of Dijon's medieval quarter and the many roofs of colourful tiles in geometric patterns so typical of Burgundy. The tower itself is actually part of the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy, nowadays home to the prestigious collection of Flemish masters of the Musée des Beaux Arts.
From culture to couture or just plain good shopping, the area around the Rue de la Liberation is the place to be. Shops, botanical gardens, the dramatic Gothic church of St. Michel, a covered market designed by one Gustave Eiffel and the Museum of Burgundy Life in a former monastery - these are just some of the many attractions of Dijon.
By now you may well be feeling peckish - the old town is crammed full of restaurants to match every appetite and budget. Do try the local apéritif, Kir - an elegant mix of white wine and crème de cassis invented by a former mayor of the city. Typical Burgundian specialities include snails in garlic butter, coq au vin (chicken in red wine sauce) and ham and parsley pâté. And you cannot go home without first having tried a genuine boeuf bourgignon.
But don't tire yourself with too much walking - you can hire your own wheels in the form of a bladeless battery-driven lawn-mower (otherwise known as a "Segway™") from the main Tourist Office on the Place d'Arcy, near the railway station. Hirers are given full instructions! Find out more about this unique form of personal transportation on www.segway.com.
Events
25 October 2004
The Grands Crus Marathon - the annual long run among some of the most famous names in Burgundian wine.
12 – 27 November 2004
Why Note – festival of contemporary music.
17 – 21 November 2004
International Festival of Gastronomy and Cinema
26 – 28 November 2004
Hasta Luego – Le people cavalier – theatrical show on horseback
17 – December 2004
Cinderella on Ice
10 – 20 March 2005
Florissimo 2005 – exotic and tropical flower show
Useful Links
For information about Dijon, visit www.dijon-tourism.com
For hotels in Dijon, visit www.f-t-s.co.uk
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