Musée Archéologique de Dijon

Museum in Dijon

Public Domain / Jochen Jahnke

The Musée Archéologique de Dijon, established in 1832, serves as a beacon of archaeological exploration into Burgundy’s rich past. Nestled within the historic Abbey of St. Bénigne next to the Dijon Cathedral, this museum showcases an extensive array of artifacts spanning prehistory to the Middle Ages, including unique collections of paleochristian art, sacred art, and ecclesiastical architecture. Initially developed by the Commission des Antiquités du Département de la Côte-d’Or, a branch of the Academy of Dijon, the museum was dedicated to preserving historic monuments and undertaking archaeological digs, notably at the Gallo-Roman site at Alise-Sainte-Reine. Originally housed in the private Rolin Hotel, the collection found its permanent home in 1934 in the abbey’s Benedictine dormitory, reflecting its commitment to cultural heritage.

The museum’s treasures are displayed across various levels: the ground floor captivates with artifacts dedicated to the goddess Sequana, highlighting a sculpture of Sequana in a duck-shaped boat, regarded as the museum’s crown jewel. The first floor features Romanesque sculptures, including a poignant bust of Christ, a fragment from Claus Sluter’s renowned Well of Moses. The second floor extends the journey through time with items from the Paleolithic era to the Merovingian period, featuring lithic artifacts, ornate jewelry, and intricate ceramics, each piece narrating a segment of Burgundy’s storied timeline.

The Musée Archéologique de Dijon appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Dijon!

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Visiting Musée Archéologique de Dijon

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

Address: Musée archéologique de Dijon, Rue Docteur Maret, Dijon, France

Official Website