What to See in the Dijon City in One Day?

Dijon is the capital of Burgundy and the birthplace of the famous mustard. It is an excellent base from which to explore the wine regions of France. You can get to the city from Paris in an hour and a half by TGV train, stop for a day or two, and then start exploring the surroundings.

When traveling in the fall, visit the many wine festivals held throughout Burgundy. And if you do not want to adjust to the schedule of trains, you can take a rental car and travel to France in comfort.

Dijon is a small town, very cozy and inviting for walks. In today’s article, you will find out what to see in Dijon in one day. We’ve put together a short walking route through the city and mapped the best mustard shops and a couple of places to eat on an interactive map.

Walking Route

Most likely, your acquaintance with the city will start from the train station. Just outside Gare de Dijon-Ville Station is Darcy Park (A), which can be reached quickly on foot along Avenue Marechal Foch. A small green area, the main decoration of a fountain with a large pool, is a great place to relax on a hot day or just beautiful photos.

After leaving the park, head to the central part of the city. Pass under the local Arc de Triomphe Porte Guillaume (B) and follow Rue de la Liberte to the intersection with Rue du Chapeau Rouge. If you want to take a photo against the background of attractions and learn the history and old legends of interesting places.

At 32 Rue de la Liberte, there is a Maille Dijon mustard store that specializes exclusively in Dijon mustard. We recommend that you try several flavors at the street tasting, but do not rush to buy them, as there will be another similar establishment on your way.

After tasting the main sauce of the villages of burgundy, walk a little more along the Rue de la Liberte until the intersection with Rue Bossuet. There you will see old half-timbered houses (C), which even got into city postcards.

After another couple of tens of meters, turn left and you will find yourself in a small cozy square Place François Rude (D), where there is a fountain and a small carousel operates almost all year round. Here you can make your first stop for coffee (2-4 euros) or a glass of wine (3.5-8 euros) in one of the cafes located around.

After admiring the fountain and many passers-by, head along with Rue de Forde and then along with Place Notre Dame to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Dijon (F). On its outer wall is another attraction – the Dijon Owl (G). The little chouette is the symbol of the city. There is a sign that if you rub the owl with your left hand and make a wish, then it will certainly come true.

On the way to the cathedral, those who wish can drop by Dijon’s tourist office (E), whose staff speaks English and even a little Russian. Here you can get a free city map, buy some lovely postcards and souvenirs, book excursions to the surrounding vineyards and buy tickets to climb the observation deck (J).

After visiting the Dijon Owl (G), we suggest you go around the cathedral and walk along the narrow old streets. By the way, at 16 Rue de la Chouette, there is another store specializing in mustard – La Moutarderie Edmond Fallot. There are all possible flavors from 1 euro: with truffles, basil, black currant, honey, with white or red wine.

Younger visitors will love the vending machines selling miniature cans of mustard. But take your time with the purchase, it is better to taste all the varieties and compare the experience with the Maille Dijon mustard and make the final choice.

Continue past the Place des Dukes of Burgundy, along Rue Longepierre and Rue Lamonnoye, to the small Teatro Square (H), from which the Church of St. Michael is perfectly visible. There are many democratic restaurants and bars, where you can have a quick snack or a glass of beer for 2.5-5 euros.

Then, walk along Rue Rameau, and you will find yourself in the very heart of Dijon – Place de la Libération ( I ). Fountains work around the clock here, and numerous restaurants are open until late in the evening, where you can drink coffee (2-4.5 euros), a glass of wine (3.5-8 euros) or beer (3-6 euros) and have a snack. Salads cost from 8 euros, hot dishes from 12 euros, desserts from 6 euros.

At night, the Place de la Leberation is beautifully illuminated, sometimes street musicians perform there. Above the square is a 15th-century tower, Tour Philippe le Bon (J), the final point of the route. To climb it, you need to purchase a ticket for 3 euros and it is best to do this in advance.

The climb takes place in groups of 20 several times a day, and when you arrive at the tourist office (E), you may find that all tickets for a particular day are already sold out. Climbing the stairs of 316 steps is carried out in the company of a guide who speaks French and English. And from a height of 46 meters, a beautiful view of the city and all the main attractions of Dijon opens up.

If after climbing the tower you still have strength for the rest of the city’s cultural sites, then feel free to take a free map in Russian from the tourist office and follow the owl! The tiles with the image of the cutest chouette show the way from one attraction to another, it will be simply impossible to get lost. By the way, if you liked the tile-arrow with an owl, then such a life-size souvenir magnet can be purchased at the bureau for an amount from 9 to 32 euros.

Where to Buy Dijon Mustard?

The largest selection of different flavors is presented in stores:

Maille Dijon mustard at 32 Rue de la Liberté.
La Moutarderie Edmond Fallot at 16 Rue de la Chouette.

Also, mustard in cans of different sizes is sold in any gift shop and in every supermarket. Prices are almost the same as in specialized stores, but the choice is not so diverse.

Where to Have Coffee and Snacks?

In city cafes and restaurants, espresso costs on average 1.8-2 euros, cappuccino – 3.5-4.5 euros, and lunch for one with a glass of wine will cost 25 euros.

The best coffee and great teas are served at Morning Glory Cafe at 25 Rue des Godrans. Here they know what a Chemex and a pourover are, and tea is brewed exclusively from leaves, no tea bags.
For a family atmosphere and homemade Portuguese food, head to Fado a Mesa at 83 Rue Jean Jacques Roussea. The staff speaks a little English, the staff is very friendly. Enough of 15 euros for an adult man is not left hungry.
At the Tartin’Art bakery at 8 Rue Musette, you can buy fresh bread and a variety of pastries and delicious hearty sandwiches from 4 euros.
A budget option for lunch or dinner is to buy ready-made meals in the large supermarkets of the Monoprix (13 Rue Piron) and Carrefour (2 Rue Bannelier) chains, which also offer a wide selection of local wines.

In the meantime, there is no need to worry about it.”