The mustard made in Dijon, France is well-known all over the world. But the shops selling vintage mustard are only the beginning of the sights to see by visitors in this wonderful city.
Dijon, the medieval capital of the duchy of Burgundy, earned the nickname “City of Dukes” due to its noble population. Well-preserved aristocratic palaces and exquisite “hôtels particuliers,” houses of the Dukes of Burgundy and other famous proprietors, have earned the town’s historic core a UNESCO World Heritage title.
In addition to taking in the magnificent structures, guests may relax on the charming cobblestone walkways and feast on regional specialties at locally owned eateries. Traditional French dishes like escargot and boeuf bourguignon may be found in their purest forms in Dijon.
Top 10 tourist attractions in Dijon
Discover the finest of what this old city has to offer with our guide to the greatest of Dijon’s attractions.
- Palais des Ducs (Palacio de los duques de Borgoña)
- Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne
- Taste original Dijon mustard
- Hôtel de Vogüé
- Musée Magnin
- Arquebuse Botanical Garden (Jardin Botanique de l’Arquebuse)
- Chartreuse de Champmol
- Eglise Notre-Dame (Church of Our Lady)
- Les Halles
- Museum of Fine Arts Dijon
Palace des Ducs (Palacio de los duques de Borgoña)
Palacio de los duques de Borgoña, aka Palais des Ducs, is one of Dijon’s top attractions that attracts a large number of tourists to this magical city. The Palais des Ducs et des États de Bourgogne (Ducal Palace), located in Dijon’s historic center and on the UNESCO World Heritage List, served as the official home of the Dukes of Burgundy throughout the 15th and 16th centuries.
The building was renovated in the 17th century to resemble the Château de Versailles in its elegant Neoclassical style (designed by the same architect, Jules Hardouin-Mansart).
The Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall) is located inside the former Palais des Ducs et des États de Bourgogne; however, only a small portion of the building is available to the general public at this time. Tours of the Chapelle des Elus, built in the 18th century, and the Tour de Philippe le Bon (tower), from where visitors may take in breathtaking vistas, are coordinated by the Dijon Office of Tourism (reached by climbing 316 steps).
- Address: 1 Rue Rameau, 21000 Dijon, France.
- Timings:
- Wednesday to Monday from 9 AM to 6 pm.
- Closed on Tuesdays.
Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne
The Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne, a former Benedictine abbey church constructed between 1280 and 1314, is the city’s best example of Burgundian Gothic architecture, and it is, without a doubt, one of the best attractions to visit in Dijon. Saint Bénigne, a martyr at Dijon in the late 2nd century, is the patron saint of the cathedral.
The Rotonde, a magnificent three-story underground crypt, houses the remains of Saint Benignus, the apostle of Burgundy, and is the sole surviving remnant of the ancient monastery. The Rotonde is a solemn dome dating back to the 10th century (Carolingian period), and its interior is reminiscent of the Holy Sepulchre Church in Jerusalem.
The people of Dijon continue to gather each day for Mass at this recognizable landmark, which has two towers. Attending one of the cathedral organ performances in Dijon, played by world-famous performers all year long, is one of the most moving things to do in the city.
- Address: Pl. Saint Bénigne, 21000 Dijon, France.
Taste original Dijon mustard
A great part of your trip to Dijon is definitely trying its amazing and world-known mustard. It’s a pleasant chance for foodies all around the globe that the forested area surrounding Dijon is perfect for growing mustard plants with spicy seeds.
Gently grinding the seeds of mustard plants growing in the area results in the classic Dijon mustard. Dijon mustard, made in the area since the 14th century, is so well-known for its unique flavor that the name of the town has become a symbol of the spice.
We couldn’t possibly organize a trip to Dijon without bringing up the city’s iconic sauce. Maille, one of the most well-known mustard manufacturers, has a beautiful store in a medieval structure on a major pedestrian street, with hundreds of types of mustard in both classic and cutting-edge gourmet flavors. You’ll rethink the basic mustard pot after seeing these incredible ingredient combinations.
Hôtel de Vogüé
Built in 1614 for Etienne Bouhier, an adviser to the Bourgogne Parliament, the Hôtel de Vogüé is a spectacular hôtel particulier (mansion) in the heart of Dijon’s historic town near the Ducal Palace. An elegant entry porch and a beautifully decorated courtyard are highlights of this stunning masterpiece of Italian Renaissance architecture.
The structure as a whole is identified by its lavish ornamentation. Burgundian tile work is characterized by bright, geometric designs. Hôtel de Vogüé is one of the best attractions to visit in Dijon.
This magnificent Renaissance Revival palace was constructed in the early 17th century to showcase its wealthy owners to the world. It has an intricate internal courtyard, and Dijon’s signature patterned tiled roofs, both of which add to the building’s beauty.
- Address: 8 Rue de la Chouette, 21000 Dijon, France.
Musée Magnin
Another one of Dijon’s best attractions is the spectacular Musée Magnin. The Musée Magnin is located in the Hôtel Lantin, a beautiful hôtel particulier from the 17th century, in the heart of old Dijon. The museum is a look inside the private art collection of Jeanne and Maurice Magnin, who were enthusiastic art collectors.
The collection is particularly strong in French paintings (650 in total), with the majority dating from about 1630 and 1650, but it also includes examples from the 18th and early 19th centuries.
Original antique furniture and artwork are still on display in the beautiful Salon Napoléon III. The gift shop in the museum has postcards and replicas of artwork that may be purchased as mementos.
- Address: 4 Rue des Bons Enfants, 21000 Dijon, France.
- Timings:
- Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM to 6 PM.
- Closed on Mondays.
Arquebuse Botanical Garden (Jardin Botanique de l’Arquebuse)
The Parc de l’Arquebuse is a lovely botanical park, arboretum, and playground, located in a more modern part of Dijon, away from the old center. The expansive grounds provide a tranquil hideaway in the great outdoors.
Over 3,500 different types of native and exotic plants, including some that have therapeutic properties, have been planted in this expansive garden. The park’s vast lawns, colorful flowerbeds, lanes of shaded trees, and a babbling creek all contribute to its allure, making it the perfect place for relaxing strolls.
The park’s Jardin des Sciences & Biodiversité has a natural science museum and planetarium, which is sure to wow any science buffs at your party. Exhibits in zoology, geology, mineralogy, and entomology teach guests about the importance of biodiversity.
- Address: 1 Av. Albert 1er, 21000 Dijon, France.
- Timings: every day from 7:30 AM to 9 PM.
Chartreuse de Champmol
The Chartreuse de Champmol, the old necropolis of the Dukes of Burgundy, is located just outside of Dijon’s historic town (a five-minute drive or 30-minute walk). On the other hand, in the 19th century, the structure was transformed into a hospital. The rich history of this place makes it one of the best attractions to visit in Dijon, which shows the history and heritage of this beautiful city.
The Puits de Mose (“Well of Moses”) and the Portail de la Chapelle (“Chapel Door”), both constructed in 1404, are two outstanding examples of Burgundian sculpture that are now open to the public and are well worth seeing (Doorway of the Chapel). Angels and Old Testament prophets stand atop the ornamental columns that give the “Puits de Mose” its name. Located inside the hospital grounds, the Portail de la Chapelle serves as the main entrance to the chapel.
Eglise Notre Dame (Church of Our Lady)
The Eglise Notre Dame, which was constructed between 1230 and 1250, is often regarded as Dijon’s “Grande Dame,” and it is considered one of its best attractions. The structure, located near the Ducal Palace in the old town, is a prime example of Burgundian Gothic architecture, with a spectacular exterior adorned with three rows of vivid gargoyles and a beautiful high-vaulted interior.
The church’s clock tower was Built in 1382, and it is home to a lovable clan of figurines known as Jacquemarts, who ring the bells at regular times. The right-hand chapel has a priceless wooden figure of the Black Virgin dating back to the 11th century and is among the oldest in France.
A sculpture of an owl sitting on the rooftop brings prosperity and protection. Local custom has it that one should pet the owl and then wish upon it.
- Address: 2 Place Notre Dame, 21000 Dijon, France.
- Timings:
- Monday to Saturday from 8 AM to 6 PM.
- Sundays from 9 AM to 6 PM.
Les Halles
The freshest fruits and vegetables, meats, cheeses, bread, wines, and other delicacies, and more may be found in plenty at the most magnificent covered market of Dijon. The early bustle of the market makes it a great place to people-watch and get a feel for the rhythm of local life and the renowned French art of living for anybody, not just foodies.
Les Halles (Rue Odebert), a culinary marketplace in Dijon, was constructed in 1868 and was inspired by the market halls of Paris. There are 246 shops selling fresh produce, baked goods, and gourmet foods in Les Halles. This covered market is one of Dijon’s best attractions.
- Address: Halle central de, 21000 Dijon, France.
- Timings:
- Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 7:30 AM to 1 PM.
- Closed on Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday.
Museum of Fine Arts Dijon
A fine arts museum, the Musée des Beaux-Arts, is located in the Palais des Ducs’ former kitchen, guard room, and grand reception rooms (the East wing of the palace). More than 13,000 works of art, ranging from Egyptian relics to modern canvases, are on display at the museum, making it one of the finest art collections in France.
It features works by such artists as Titian, Veronese, and Lorenzo Lotto from the Italian Renaissance; Peter Paul Rubens, Philippe de Champaigne, and Georges de La Tour from the 17th century; Gustave Moreau and Eugène Delacroix from the 19th century; and Claude Monet, Alfred Sisley, Edouard Manet, and Camille Pissarro from the Impressionist era. This museum is not only one of the best ones in France but also one of Dijon’s top attractions that you must visit on your trip to this city.
- Address: 1 Rue Rameau, 21000 Dijon, France.
- Timings:
- Wednesday to Monday from 9:30 AM to 6 PM.
- Closed on Tuesdays.
Final words about Dijon’s top attractions
Dijon, in eastern France, is the capital of the ancient Burgundy region, a major wine-producing area. Well-known attractions include the region’s traditional mustard, wine tours, fall culinary fair, and buildings in styles ranging from Gothic to art deco. We’ve listed down some of its greatest attractions to help you get to know more about this amazing city and its most popular attractions. Have a great time!