Dijon: The Complete Guide

In Celtic times, Dijon occupied a crucial spot on the tin trading route that stretched from Britain to the Adriatic. By around 1000 AD, it became the capital of the Dukes of Burgundy. During the 14th and 15th centuries, under the rule of Dukes Philippe le Hardi (the Bold—who as a young boy fought the English at Poitiers), Jean sans Peur (the Fearless), Philippe le Bon (the Good—who infamously sold Joan of Arc to the English), and Charles le Téméraire (also known as the Bold), Dijon thrived. Leveraging their substantial wealth and control over Flanders, the premier manufacturing hub of the time, the dukes transformed Dijon into one of Europe’s foremost centers for art, learning, and science.
In 1477, upon its incorporation into the Kingdom of France, Dijon lost its status as a capital, yet it has remained a leading city in the country. Presently, it is a prosperous university city known for its elegance, modernity, and vibrancy, particularly when filled with students. Dijon is relatively small, and its central area, perfect for walking, encompasses most of the city’s key sights. The introduction of two new tramlines has revitalized the area, pushing automobile traffic to the periphery, making the city center more pedestrian-friendly. Visitors arriving by car are advised to park at their hotels and explore on foot.
The city’s main thoroughfare, Rue de la Liberté, runs east from the expansive and beautiful Place Darcy and the 18th-century Porte Guillaume triumphal arch, once a city gate, past the Dukes of Burgundy’s palace, to the semi-circular Place de la Libération. This elegant classical square leads to Rue Rameau, stretching east to Place du Théâtre, and further to Rue Vaillant, which leads to the Church of St Michel. Most attractions are just a short walk from this central axis, which is also lined with upscale shops, large department stores, and charming old homes.
TOUR TIPS: If you are visiting Dijon for just a day and want to make the most of your visit, you may want to consider taking a walking tour with a local guide. This is one of the most complete and best-rated city tours that covers the main, must-see attractions in about 2 hours. If you were thinking of taking a wine tour this full day tour includes a lunch in an 18th-century castle! For the more energentic try this 3 hour bike tour and Tastings around the Vineyards of Burgundy! If you prefer walking at your own pace read our Walking tour of Dijon.
Visiting Dijon for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in Dijon on the first visit. To help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!
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21 Best places to See in Dijon
This complete guide to Dijon not only tells you about the very best sights and tourist attractions for first-time visitors to the city but also provide insights into a few of our personal favorite things to do.
This is a practical guide to visiting the best places to see in Dijon and is filled with tips and info that should answer all your questions!
Tour Philippe le Bon

Location: Tour Philippe le Bon, Place des Ducs de Bourgogne, Dijon, France | Hours: 10.00-17.50 | Price: €6.00 | Website | Distance: 0.0km
Visiting Tour Philippe le Bon
Palais des Ducs

Location: Palais des Ducs et des États de Bourgogne, Rue Rameau, Dijon, France | Distance: 0.0km
Visiting Palais des Ducs
Hôtel de Vogüé

Location: Hôtel de Vogüé, Rue de la Chouette, Dijon, France | Distance: 0.1km
Visiting Hôtel de Vogüé
Owl of Dijon

Location: The Owl of Dijon, Rue de la Chouette, Dijon, France | Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Free | Distance: 0.1km
Visiting Owl of Dijon
Maison Millière

Location: Maison Millière - Restaurant Boutique Bar à vin et Salon de thé, Rue de la Chouette, Dijon, France | Distance: 0.1km
Visiting Maison Millière
Place de la Liberation (Liberation Square)

Location: Place de la Libération, Dijon, France | Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Free | Distance: 0.1km
Visiting Place de la Liberation (Liberation Square)
Église Notre-Dame de Dijon

Location: Église Notre-Dame, Place Notre Dame, Dijon, France | Hours: Open every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Sundays from 9 a.m. | Distance: 0.1km
Visiting Église Notre-Dame de Dijon
Musée des Beaux-Arts

Location: Musée des Beaux-Arts, Rue Rameau, Dijon, France | Hours: October 1 to May 31: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. / June 1 to September 30: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays, as well as January 1, May 1 and May 8, July 14, November 1 and 11, December 25. | Price: Guided tour: €6 | Website | Distance: 0.1km
Visiting Musée des Beaux-Arts
Musée Rude

Location: Musée Rude, Rue Vaillant, Dijon, France | Hours: Daily from 9:30 am to 6 pm from June 1 to September 30 | Price: Free | Distance: 0.2km
Visiting Musée Rude
Place du Théâtre, Dijon

Location: Place du Théâtre, Dijon, France | Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Free | Distance: 0.2km
Visiting Place du Théâtre, Dijon
Place François-Rude

Location: Place François Rude, Dijon, France | Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Free | Distance: 0.2km
Visiting Place François-Rude
Halles de Dijon

Location: Halles centrales et marché central, Dijon, France | Hours: Tuesday: 7am to 1pm, Thursday: 7am to 1pm (indoor market only), Friday: 7am to 1pm, Saturday: 7am to 1pm | Distance: 0.2km
Visiting Halles de Dijon
Eglise Saint-Michel, Dijon

Location: Église Saint-Michel, Place Saint-Michel, Dijon, France | Hours: Open every day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., except Sundays from 9 a.m. | Distance: 0.3km
Visiting Eglise Saint-Michel, Dijon
Poste Place Grangier

Location: Postes et Télécommunications, Place Grangier, Dijon, France | Distance: 0.4km
Visiting Poste Place Grangier
Musée Archéologique de Dijon

Location: Musée archéologique de Dijon, Rue Docteur Maret, Dijon, France | Hours: Open every day except Tuesday April 1 to October 31 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. November 2 to March 31 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on January 1 , May 1 and May 8, July 14, November 1 and 11, December 25 N.B. Museum not heated during winter | Price: Guided tour: €6 | Website | Distance: 0.5km
Visiting Musée Archéologique de Dijon
Porte Guillaume

Location: Porte Guillaume, Place Darcy, Dijon, France | Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Free | Distance: 0.5km
Visiting Porte Guillaume
Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne

Location: Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne de Dijon, Place Saint Bénigne, Dijon, France | Hours: Open every day from 9am to 12pm and from 2pm to 6.30pm, except Saturdays when it is open until 5.30pm. | Distance: 0.5km
Visiting Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne
Grand Hôtel la Cloche

Location: Grand Hôtel La Cloche Dijon - MGallery, Place Darcy, Dijon, France | Distance: 0.6km
Visiting Grand Hôtel la Cloche
Jardin Darcy (Darcy Garden), Dijon

Location: Jardin Darcy, Place Darcy, Dijon, France | Hours: 7.30am until dusk | Distance: 0.8km
Visiting Jardin Darcy (Darcy Garden), Dijon
Jardin botanique de l'Arquebuse

Location: Jardin Botanique de l'Arquebuse, Avenue Albert 1er, Dijon, France | Hours: 7.30am until dusk | Distance: 1.0km
Visiting Jardin botanique de l'Arquebuse
Chartreuse de Champmol

Location: Chartreuse de Champmol, Dijon, France | Hours: 9am to 5.30pm | Distance: 1.9km
Visiting Chartreuse de Champmol
Best Time to Visit Dijon
The best time to visit Dijon, France, largely depends on what you’re looking to get out of your visit. Here are some insights for each season:
- Spring (March to May): This is a wonderful time to visit Dijon as the weather starts to warm up and the city begins to bloom. You can enjoy the outdoor attractions comfortably, and it’s also a good time to avoid the larger summer crowds.
- Summer (June to August): Summer is the peak tourist season in Dijon. The weather is typically warm and sunny, making it ideal for exploring the city’s outdoor sites, like the vineyards of Burgundy. However, be prepared for more tourists and higher prices during this time.
- Autumn (September to November): Fall is another excellent time to visit Dijon. The weather is still pleasant, and the autumn colors in the city and surrounding countryside are beautiful. It’s also grape harvest time in the nearby vineyards, which can be a particularly interesting experience.
- Winter (December to February): Winters are generally cold, and some attractions might have reduced hours or be closed, especially in January and February. However, if you enjoy festive atmospheres, visiting Dijon during the Christmas season can be magical with the Christmas markets and lights.
Each season offers its unique charm, but for the most balanced experience of good weather and fewer crowds, spring and autumn are often considered the best times to visit Dijon.
Average Temperatures in Dijon
- January 9°C 48°F 10
- February 11°C 51°F 9
- March 14°C 57°F 7
- April 18°C 65°F 9
- May 22°C 72°F 12
- June 27°C 80°F 12
- July 30°C 86°F 9
- August 31°C 87°F 9
- September 27°C 81°F 9
- October 21°C 69°F 11
- November 12°C 54°F 13
- December 10°C 49°F 13