Things to see and do Dijon

The tourist office of Dijon and its various sites allow to get all the useful information for your stay: lodgings, restaurants, transport, agenda of the events, schedules for theatres... The staff is very friendly and will do everything to help you. In addition, they can advise you to participate in one of the many visits organised by the office. Thus, you can climb the 316 steps of Philippe Le Bon tower and contemplate Dijon or take the route of the owl with your booklet, it is also available on smartphone... There are several guided tours which allow to know everything about the Dukes of Burgundy, the town hall and its sumptuous lounges, the churches of the city or the local nature. In addition, gourmet visits are organised to discover mustard, wines, halls... Finally with different rates, you can spend half days or days in the beautiful Burgundy vineyard and learn everything about this heritage.

This imposing square of not less than 4,680 m² that is fully renovated a few years ago underwent multiple transformations over the centuries and has now become one of the most beautiful places in France. From 1682 to 1689, it was developed in semicircle according to the drawings of Mansart who made the buildings of Palais des États and the arches of the place. It then bears the name of Place Royale. In the 18th century between 1721 and 1736, the rue de Condé (now the Rue de la Liberté) is open to connect the palace to the Porte Guillaume. An equestrian statue of Louis XIV (melted in the Revolution) is installed in the centre of the square. Called Place d'Armes after the Revolution and Place du Maréchal Pétain under the Occupation, it became the Place de la libération in 1944. Formerly a car park, this area has become a real place of life since 2006: terraces have been installed and various events take place there. In winter, when Christmas approaches, you will find the Christmas market...! In summer, a place for children and adults who have fun and cool off around the fountains in the heart of the terraces of cafés and restaurants. This site combines now the classic architecture with the will to look to the future. It is a place to enjoy day and night, enhanced by water and light games and by Comblanchien stone (Burgundy stone) which place is completely covered.

The Darcy Garden is a green lung in the heart of the city. One comes here to rest to the sounds of the waterfalls, to read on a bench, to watch the children play or to admire the calm of the hundred-year-old trees. It is also here that one can discover a masterly reproduction of the Bear of the sculptor Pompon enthroned at the entrance of the park. As for the history of this park, the merit of its construction goes to the water engineer Henry Darcy who had the idea, in 1880, to install in its basement a huge drinking water reservoir in order to bring running water to the city.

If you see Porte Guillaume in a distant horizon, know that you are at the entrance to Vieux Dijon, in the heart of the historic centre. Indeed, this triumphal arch is set on the large place Darcy, completely pedestrian, and at the entrance to the long rue de la Liberté which is also pedestrian. Dated from the 18th century, it was built in the exact location of a pre-existing medieval gate. Built by the architect Jean-Philippe Maret, this monument was erected as a tribute to the governor of Burgundy at the time, namely Louis Bourbon-Condé more commonly known as Prince de Condé. For this reason, it was first called Porte de Condé, then Porte de la Liberté at the Revolution and finally Porte Guillaume in tribute to Guillaume de Volpiano, former priest and Italian abbot of Saint-Bénigne. On the door, registered as Historical monument in 1938, you can admire four bas-reliefs.