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As a Francophile, I have a few quirks. Namely, I (usually) detest mustard, can’t stand mayonnaise, and don’t drink. I’ve basically hit the pillars of French cuisine…but I guess a girl knows what she likes. However, I do have a fondness for the wine-making region of Burgundy, and after a magical visit to Beaune, I knew I had to explore Dijon, France, as well.

This was a late winter trip, taken sometime in February when the cold seems to drag on and the weather is bellicose in Paris. Rain, rain, rain and not a spot of sun. I needed to get out of the city, and so roped a friend into a little Burgundian adventure.

If Dijon has you thinking of mustard, it’s a fair association. You’ll find mustard everywhere here—my friend even managed to buy a kilo of seeds at one factory. But there’s so much more to see and do in the city, which was once the seat of the powerful dukes of Burgundy, whose line started with the royal Capetians. The palace of the dukes, known as le palais des ducs, now houses the extensive museum of fine arts. Even if you never enter the museum (which is a shame), the exterior is something to marvel at.

Beyond the walls of the palace, Dijon has charming, Norman-style timber architecture throughout the city, plus a bevy of buildings with the famous Burgundian tiled roofs, gardens, and things to do—I’d love to come back and explore more. I hope this list helps you plan your own adventure!

Things to Do in Dijon, France

Where to Eat in Dijon, France

• La Petite Reine – 4 rue Vauban, 21000 Dijon (a good place to try beef burgundy, aka boeuf bourguignon, perhaps the most well-known regional speciality)
• Le Fils à Maman – 38 rue Amiral Roussin, 21000 Dijon (reservation needed, it was always so packed we actually never managed to eat there)
• La Causerie des Mondes – 16 rue Vauban, 21000 Dijon (get the Chai)

What to Do in Dijon

• Musée des Beaux Arts de Dijon – 1 rue Rameau 21000 Dijon
• Tour Philippe le Bon (great views, must reserve through the tourist office; can be done day-of. 5€) – Place des Ducs de Bourgogne, 21000 Dijon
• Jardin Botanique de l’Arquebuse – 1 Avenue Albert 1er, 21000 Dijon
• Jardin Darcy – Place Darcy, 21000 Dijon
• Musée de la Vie Bourguignonne – 17 rue Sainte-Anne, 21000 Dijon
• Église Notre Dame de Dijon – 2 Place Notre Dame (a beautiful gothic cathedral)

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