Dijon Highlights

Follow the Owls

When I mentioned to a client that I was going to Dijon for the weekend, the advice I received was to follow the owls. The owls adorn little brass plaques in the pavement that guide you on a walking tour of the city.

I first came to appreciate self-guided walking tours in Vichy; the tourist office gave me the walking tour leaflet when I asked for a map, and it was a fantastic way to ensure we didn’t miss any of the important sights. I now look out for these walks when we visit places, and many French towns seem to have them.

Dijon is packed with impressive buildings and monuments, and their owls gave us a very pleasant tour of them.

The Palace

On the top of my list of things to see in Dijon was the Palace of the Dukes (Palais des Ducs et des Etats de Bourgogne). The Palace and the circular courtyard in front of it are impressively grand.

The building now houses an art museum. We tend to visit museums and art galleries when we travel, but even if art museums aren’t your thing, this one is worth a visit for two reasons: the ancient kitchen with its conical chimney, and the elaborately decorated tombs of the dukes.

Rooftops

The surprise of Dijon for me was the rooftops. Brightly-coloured, patterned tiling that sparkles in the sun.