In a nutshell
- We’ve rounded up the top things to do in Dijon — from the picturesque old town to the best pain au chocolat you’ll ever taste.
- Don’t miss the free owl trail through the historic center, the Place de la Libération, and the sweeping views from the Tour Philippe le Bon.
- For great food, head to the Halles de Dijon market hall — especially on Sunday mornings from June to September for the local brunch.
- Dijon also makes an excellent stopover on a France vacation, such as on a road trip to the Côte d’Azur.
Our Hotel Tips for Dijon
Before we dive into our tips for Dijon, here are our hotel recommendations for the city to suit every budget. This way you’ll be perfectly prepared for your city trip to Dijon.
Follow the Owl
The walking tour with the little owl takes you through the old town of Dijon in 22 stages. The best part: the tour is completely free. All you have to do is follow the small bronze arrows with the owl embedded in the ground throughout the city. The Parcours de la Chouette leads you past the most important sights in Dijon.
The tour is named after the city’s mascot — the small, unassuming owl on the north side of the Notre-Dame church.
Over the centuries, the owl has become the city’s lucky charm. Touch the little stone figure with your left hand, make a wish, and legend has it your wish will come true.
Just a few meters from the mascot stands the Maison Millière from the 15th century. It’s home to one of the city’s famous mustard producers, the Moutarderie Edmond Fallot. Twice a month, visitors can see how mustard is made the traditional way.
By the way, since 2011 there have been three different owl trail routes:
- Trail Rousseau (6 stages, approx. 20–30 minutes): Stroll through a charming neighborhood filled with small antique and artisan shops.
- Trail Zola (5 stages, approx. 30 minutes): Don’t just look straight ahead — glance up for great views of the rooftops with their small statues and beautiful windows.
- Trail Moses (4 stages, approx. 30–40 minutes): This route passes the natural history museum, the botanical garden, and the Chartreuse de Champmol, a lovely little chapel.
Pain au Chocolat from Boulangerie Fremont
Pain au Chocolat is simply part of the experience in France. So in Dijon, too, you should definitely take a sweet break with a pastry in hand. Our personal pick for the best Pain au Chocolat in Dijon is Boulangerie Fremont.
Our tip: Grab a Pain au Chocolat, a Tarte aux Framboises, or another treat from the display case — at Boulangerie Fremont, you’ll truly be spoiled for choice.
Place de la Libération
Once you’ve picked out your treats, hold off on snacking just a little longer. Take your haul to the Place de la Libération — about a three-minute walk away — and settle onto one of the stone benches in the sun.
Honestly, you could spend the whole day here watching tourists and locals drift across the square. Young and old alike gather for coffee or wine, a lunch break, or simply to soak up the sun.
The Musee de Beaux Arts
- Admission: free
Once you’ve had your fill, we really recommend a visit to the Musée des Beaux-Arts. It’s just a few steps from the Place de la Libération, and admission is (as with every museum in the city) free.
The permanent collection is housed in the former Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy.
The rooms alone are absolutely worth seeing. The collection focuses on ancient Egyptian art, Burgundian art, and French sculpture and painting through the 20th century.
The museum opened in 1799, making it one of the oldest museums in France.
Tour Philippe le Bon
- Admission: 6 euros
- Tickets: book online in advance
The best panorama in Dijon is arguably from the Tour Philippe le Bon. It towers over the city at an impressive 46 meters. Once you’ve climbed the 316 steps, a breathtaking 360-degree view of the historic center awaits you on the observation terrace.
That said, access to the terrace is only possible as part of a guided tour, and spots fill up very quickly.
We strongly recommend that you book the tour online in advance.
Place Émile Zola
Quite different from the open, expansive Place de la Libération is the cozy, restaurant-lined Place Émile Zola. During the day, it’s fairly quiet. But in the evening, tables and chairs spill outside and locals gather to eat and (of course) drink wine.
The atmosphere is especially lively on weekends — as dusk falls, colorful string lights flicker on in the trees and the whole square glows. Totally authentic and simply beautiful.
Market Hall Halles de Dijon
Covered market halls (Marché couvert) can be found in almost every French city, and the Halles de Dijon is one of the best. Just a few meters from the Notre-Dame church, it’s perfect for a leisurely wander. Alongside all kinds of regional specialties — snails included — you’ll find wine bars and restaurants worth lingering at.
From June to September, you can also brunch alongside locals on Sunday afternoons. A local chef prepares regional delicacies, and the whole idea is to bring tourists and locals together at one table. Really lovely.
But even outside of brunch season, the market hall itself is seriously worth a look. The architectural style draws inspiration from the famous architect Gustave Eiffel, and the pillars supporting the roof gleam in a beautiful, rich blue. You can find more details about the brunch here.
