Got 72 hours? 7 best things to do in Dijon, France on a long weekend
Mustard. I bet that’s the first thing you think of when you hear Dijon… because we were in the same boat. But there’s so much more to this city! And so much to do. But, happily, since the high-speed train (TGV) makes this trip very easy — just a couple of hours! — so you can comfortably enjoy a cozy, long weekend outside of Paris in one of France’s most beautiful wine- and history-producing regions. Here are the best things to do in Dijon — even if you’ve only got 72 hours.
1. Owl Walk
Lucky owl (chouette) on the Dijon Cathedral
Owl Trail brass marker
Most cities have some kind of walking tour available for new arrivals to enjoy. Dijon has gone the extra mile and installed brass arrows and markers all around their old city, and combined that with a corresponding map available through the tourism office for a small fee (cool fact: you can combine picking up your guide book with a trip up Philippe Le Bon tower, since the entrance to the tower is right next to the office!). Follow the map and brass markers around the city’s precious cobbled streets and uneven sidewalks to discover bits of history hiding right in plain sight. Definitely worth spending an afternoon!
Bonus? There’s even an app map (ha!) you can download to make life easier, if you’re not worried about conserving battery.
Boyfriend Perspective: Bonus Bonus!! There are multiple trails of chouettes (owls, in French) each with their own cute version to match.
2. Ducal Palace and Museum of Fine Arts
Musee des Beaux arts/ Palais des Ducs
Italian art room
Effigies of Burgundian dukes, Palais des Ducs
Dijon is full-to-bursting with beautiful museums, but this is perhaps its most famous — and for good reason. Because their rule over this area rang in a time of peace and prosperity, the dukes of Burgundy were able to be among the first great patrons of the arts in this part of country. So, rightfully, their palace has become the Musee des Beaux Arts, or museum of fine arts. Enjoy everything from beautiful, hardcore religious art to funeral art to rooms full of medieval and Renaissance-era weaponry of all sorts. You really can’t go wrong!
Boyfriend Perspective: Sooo much religious art! You would think it was the only thing of note, but thankfully not. There are other things, like the wonderfully crafted effigies of the dukes or the amazing room of preserved weapons and armor from various centuries. A little something for everyone to enjoy.
3. Wine tour and tasting
Vineyard tour and demonstration outside of Dijon
Tiled roof of a Burgundy church in the Cote d’Or countryside
Wine tasting in a Bourgignon cellar
While we loved walking around Dijon and enjoying the city, getting out into the countryside to explore the Côte d’Or vineyards and surrounding tiny towns was a breath of fresh air. Our AirBNB host recommended Authentica Tours when we checked in, saying she’d heard positive feedback from other guests. So, we took a gamble, and found they actually had two openings on a tour the next day. Great, great choice!
Our extremely knowledgeable guide showed us around the Bourgogne countryside, and led us through one of the best and most robust wine tastings we’ve ever experienced. Plus, the ambiance of being down in a cellar was a serious added bonus. We made some great friends on the trip, and are so happy we took the chance!
Boyfriend Perspective: Between the delicious wine, the excellent company (Hi, Novak family!), and the knowledgeable guide, we could not have asked for a better day. Well, I would have liked to feel my fingers and toes a little more… but small details. Now that we know a bit more about Bourgogne wine and its ratings, we definitely make a beeline to that part of the wine section at our home grocery stores now.
4. Mulot & Petitjean shopping
Adorable Mulot et Petitjean storefront
Shopping for food souvenirs is THE best…
Grocery shopping is meh, but shopping for culinary souvenirs in a new place is SO much fun. We all know Dijon is famous for its mustard, but we discovered that it’s also well-known for its gingerbread, and all that lovely baking history is centered here, at Mulot & Petitjean. And, with its light, truly gingery taste, it’s unlike just about any gingerbread you’ve ever tasted in the States.
Hooked after our AirBNB host included a few cookies with our welcome packet, we indulged a few bags of their pre-packaged moulots, or bite-sized biscuits. But the store offers everything from cassis to mustard to cookies and beyond. And they always have things to taste up at the register, if you’re unsure. Make sure to stop in!!
Boyfriend Perspective: In the states, we do not have ginger bread….I don’t know what we have, but it’s not ginger bread. In Dijon, THAT is ginger bread. It is so soft, slightly sweetened, and slightly spiced. Much like the wine and mustard, the Stateside versions are imitations, at best. This is a must in Dijon, otherwise it’s a crime against your taste buds.
5. Les Halles
Les Halles exterior (and Luke with coffee!)
Les Halles Art Deco interior
The Eiffel Tower may have made Gustave Eiffel internationally famous, but his design genius began in his hometown of Dijon. Here, he designed Les Halles, the covered market now at the center of Dijonnais culture. Just a few blocks over from the Notre Dame cathedral at city center, covered market proves the utility can be beautiful. In warm weather, open doors and fans keep the air circulating throughout this spacious market, and winter sees everyone in hats and gloves, and tons of small space heaters attached to the Art Deco beams.
A bonus to visiting when it’s warm: on market days, the area outside the market also fills up with merchants selling non-edible goods. A bonus to visiting when it’s chilly? It’s less crowded, and the selection is just as good! Regardless of season, though, you’ll find all kinds of local meats, cheeses, and vegetables here — but just be sure to bring cash! (And a camera. This place is gorgeous… even if it does smell of fish…)
Boyfriend Perspective: I followed around clutching my only lifeline amidst the frosty Beast from the East…. a not-large-enough coffee. But Meagan had a blast because she loves Art Deco things….woo…
6. Edmond Fallot mustard tasting
Edmond Fallot moutarderie exterior
Mustard tasting station at Edmond Fallot moutarderie
Guys, American “Dijon” mustard is weak sauce. Literally.
Boyfriend Perspective: Please, read the above as: DON’T EAT THE WHOLE SPATULA OF MUSTARD OR YOU WILL, I REPEAT, YOU WILL CHOKE AND SPUTTER AND EMBARRASS YOURSELF BY CRYING IN THE MIDDLE OF A STORE IN FRANCE. I feel like I almost ~le died~….Meagan almost died too, laughing at me.
When you walk in to Edmond Fallot, the last thing you expect is to get lit up by Chinese restaurant-level hot mustard, but once you get back to the tasting bar, that’s exactly what will happen. The store carries Dijon mustards mixed with just about every conceivable condiment (including horseradish — HARD PASS), and features really cool tasting station at the back where you can see what you might like. Press the mustard jar on top, and watch the associated mustard squirt out onto your spatula. Just… take small licks, y’all. Small, conservative licks. Though, the girls working in the shop looked completely nonplussed that Luke was choking, so… maybe they’re used to it… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
7. Visit a couple of cathedrals
Saint Philibert Cathedral
Notre Dame de Dijon cathedral main altar
Paris’s Notre Dame is the most famous, but the cathedrals in France’s outer cities are nothing to sneeze at. The doors to Dijon’s Notre Dame are pretty plain, but step inside and you’ll enjoy incredible stained glass, and some incredibly old — older than the cathedral, even — holy statues. Even for the non-religious, the history and beauty of this place are pretty stunning, and well-worth a stop. The city’s other churches and cathedrals aren’t to be missed either, so definitely be sure to add one or two to your itinerary!
Boyfriend Perspective: It’s pretty, but I just wanted more coffee. And gingerbread. And to feel my fingers.
Honorable mentions that we wish we could’ve done in Dijon:
Musee des Beaux Arts (Fine Arts Museum) from the outside
- Philippe Le Bon tower. If you Google the views from this tower, you’ll see why it’s such a big deal to ascend it. But when the wind chill is in the below zero C, it’s probably best NOT to go up where the wind is even stronger… just a hunch. So we kept our feet on the ground this time.
- Mulot & Petitjean factory tour. Again, too cold to walk quiiiiite that far. But touring a famous gingerbread factory? And getting samples? We’re both totally in.
What’s you favorite part of Dijon? Let us know below!
Anddddddd repin for later? :)
Originally published at Two Restless Homebodies.
