Driving Inspiration: Dijon
A city known for great food and wine, Dijon has many delights.
- Driving inspiration
- France
- Things to see and do in Dijon
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Is Dijon worth visiting?Yes, absolutely. Dijon is renowned for its historic charm, culinary heritage and architectural beauty. As the largest city of the Burgundy wine-producing region, and the place where Dijon mustard was born, food and drink is at the heart of the city’s appeal for visitors. Dijon’s restaurants serve up the best in Burgundian cuisine, while tours of Burgundy vineyards, producing some of the most famous wine in France, are not to be missed. Dijon is also steeped in history. The Dukes of Burgundy had considerable power in France in medieval times, and were known by such titles as Charles the Bold and Philip the Good - although Philip hardly lived up to his name in 1430, when he ransomed Joan of Arc to the English so they could execute her, but that's another story.
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Drive to Dijon from CalaisIt takes around 5 ½ hours to drive directly to Dijon from the LeShuttle terminal in Calais. The distance is around 570 km (354 miles). The quickest route is following the A26 motorway, via Arras, Reims and Troyes. You will pay tolls on this route of between €55-€60. You could also drive via the A1 motorway to the east of Paris – this will add around 40 minutes to your journey time. There is a low emission (ZFE) zone in place in Dijon, which was introduced in 2025, but at present all types of vehicles are able to enter the ZFE, and a Crit’ Air sticker is not currently mandatory. Any decision on banning certain types of polluting vehicles in Dijon will be made annually.Read more about driving in France
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The best things to do in Dijon
- Walk the Owl’s Trail
- Climb the Tour Philippe le Bon
- Marvel at the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy
- Take a vineyard tour
- Dine in style at a Dijon restaurant
- Shop for local produce at Les Halles
The Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy
In the medieval period the Dukes of Burgundy were at times more powerful than the King of France, and they played an important role in French politics. Their palace in the centre of Dijon, built mainly in the 15th and 16th century, is a stunning statement of ducal power and influence. With its two neo-classical porticos, the palace fronts impressively onto the Place de la Liberation, a large public square with fountains, cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating.
The palace complex also houses the Musée des Beaux-Arts and serves as Dijon’s city hall. The palace and the museum are free to enter. Another attraction within the palace is the the Tour Philippe le Bon (‘Tower of Philip the Good’). Climb its 46-metre staircase for glorious views over the city. There is a charge for the tower, but it is included within the Pass Dijon Côtes de Nuit, a 48-hour pass covering a range of attractions.
Follow the Owl's Trail
If you want to see all the delights of Dijon, just follow the owl! You’ll immediately notice the little brass arrows on the pavement, with an owl pointing the way. This is the Owl’s Trail, a self-guided walking tour of the city. You can pick it up anywhere, but the official start is by the Jardin Darcy, a pretty public park. Along the way you’ll take in all the major sights of Dijon, from the Place François Rude, a picturesque city square, to the Porte Guillaume, a triumphal arch with more than a striking resemblance to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Stroll along Rue Des Forges, with its medieval and Renaissance architecture, and browse the stalls of Les Halles, the fresh food market.
No one quite knows why the owl is symbolic to Dijon, but it matters not, especially as part of the trail includes touching the carved owl on the wall of the Church of Our Lady for good luck. But make sure you use your left hand, and you walk past the tiny dragon first!
Indulge in local flavours
Even if you have never been to Dijon, you will probably have heard of Dijon mustard, the variety of the condiment invented in the city in 1856. It’s made with white wine rather than the traditional vinegar, and this is the place to try it, the home of French mustard making in the Middle Ages. Dijon delights in its gastronomy, with legendary local dishes like beef bourguignon, escargots and coq au vin mainstays of restaurant menus. Given its fame for wine and mustard, it’s no surprise that rich sauces are the order of the day here! The city is so food-obsessed that it hosts an international food fair every autumn, and make sure you pick up something delicious for lunch at Les Halles. The market is held every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.
Dijon is also the gateway to the Burgundy wine region, and has UNESCO World Heritage status for its historic role in wine production.
Get close to the past in Dijon's museums
Dijon’s Musée des Beaux-Arts is one of the oldest in France – it was founded in 1787, and grew partly through the works seized during the French Revolution. Today it is notable for the richness and depth of its collections, particularly in medieval and Renaissance painting, and for the tombs of the Dukes of Burgundy, complete with their alabaster procession of mourners. The Musée des Beaux-Arts is free to enter as part of the Ducal Palace, and after a major restoration and refurbishment project, it has transformed the way it showcases its works.
Elsewhere in Dijon, you can discover natural wonders at the Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle (Natural History Museum), where you’ll find exhibitions of dinosaur bones, fossils and reconstructions of animal specimens from around the world. While you’re there, don’t miss a visit to the adjoining planetarium and botanical garden. In the Musée de la Vie Bourguignonne, housed in a former monastery, you’ll explore what daily life was like for Burgundians through the centuries, and see everyday objects and clothing.
Take a Burgundy wine tour
The nearest wineries to Dijon are just ten minutes drive away. There are numerous ways to enjoy the vineyards of Burgundy, from self-guided to fully guided tours, and a number of official routes. The Route des Grands Crus is known as the ‘Champs Elysées’ of Burgundy, and stretches for 60 km from Dijon to Santenay, through 37 villages all dedicated to the grape. Any wine lover will want to take this road trip through so many historic Grand Cru appellations and chateaux, and see where the wines from Corton, Montrachet and Meursault are produced – and maybe get to taste a few too!
You’ll also love exploring the beautiful villages and towns, from Beaune, a true Burgundian gem best known for its colourful medieval hospital, to Chaudenay and Corpeau, with their limestone churches and historic wine caves. Each village has its own distinctive character and winemaking history, and the scenery of rolling hills and vine-covered valleys never loses its beauty.
