This is the best one day in Dijon itinerary for anyone looking to spend 24 hours in the city. Dijon is a beautiful and historic town in France with impressive architecture and monuments.
I'm sure you've heard the word, "Dijon" before in reference to the mustard. Yes, this French mustard is named for the town of Dijon, which was once the center of mustard making from the 1300s.
Dijon is officially recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site (The Climats, terroirs of Burgundy) along with the surrounding vineyards in the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune. The city is historically important for helping to regulate the climats system of wine production in Burgundy.
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Why I Love Dijon, France
Dijon is such a fabulous day trip or weekend getaway. Here's why you need to visit Dijon.
- History and Architecture: Dijon's medieval architecture is amazing with its old cathedrals, half-timbered houses and the magnificent Palace of the Dukes and Estate of Burgundy.
- Gastronomy Capital: Its culinary specialties, gastronomy fair (that's 100 years old!) and Michelin-starred restaurants make it a must visit for foodies.
- It's Safe and Walkable: You can comfortably walk everywhere. There's a self-guided walking tour with 22 stops to appreciate the most important historic places.
One Day in Dijon Itinerary
This itinerary is perfect for spending one day in Dijon, France. With a fully day in Dijon, you should be able to visit every attraction listed in this travel guide.
If you're looking to spend a weekend in Dijon, please approach this itinerary at a more relaxed pace. Spend more time exploring on your own.
Plus, I've given you suggestions under the heading, "More things to do in Dijon" below so you can add more activities or a day tour.
We visited Dijon for one day before our barge cruise of Burgundy. It's the perfect addition if you plan to do a river cruise or barge cruise in the area.
The Owl's Trail (Parcours de la Chouette)
The Owl's Trail (Parcours de la Chouette) is a self-guided walking tour through historic Dijon. It's an organized way of visiting the top heritage sites in Dijon while learning about them on the way.
There are 22 stops in total and it's about 3km of walking in total. Each location features a bronze arrow with an owl on it. The owl is Dijon's town mascot.
The owl is also a good luck charm in Dijon. There's an owl carved into a buttress of the Notre-Dame church. Touch the owl with your left hand (the same side as your heart) for good luck.
Stop by the tourist office for a booklet about The Owl Trail. There used to be an official Android app, but it no longer seems to work on my phone and it doesn't appear in the Google Play shop anymore.
I don't believe there is an official iPhone app either. So, you will need to pick up the pamphlet at the tourist office for the map and details.
A few of these stops are among the must visit places while spending one day in Dijon. I'll go into more detail about the most memorable stops throughout this blog post.
Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre-Dame Cathedral of Dijon is a 13th century masterpiece of Burgundy architecture. Its facade is adorned with many remarkable carvings, including rows of false gargoyles.
There are only a few remaining gargoyles left from the 13th century. Between 1880 and 1882, seven sculptors created the false ones that we see today.
According to legend, the original gargoyles were removed after one fell from the facade and crushed a moneylender who was at the cathedral that day to get married.
Notre Dame Cathedral has a clock at the top, the "Jacquemart". This was taken as loot from the Flanders war in Belgium and brought to Dijon in 1383.
In the 17th century, people joked that Jacquemart was lonely on his own, so they added a companion for him (Jacqueline). Later, they created a little Jacquelinette for them both, to mark the quarter of the hour.
Tower of Philip the Good (Tour Philippe le Bon)
Tour Philippe le Bon, also known as the Philip the Good Tower in English, is a tall tower that's part of the ducal palace. It's 46 meters tall and built in the 15th century to symbolize the power of the Dukes of Burgundy.
Climbing the tower is one of the best things to do in Dijon. It's 316 steps to the top and the viewing platform offers the most incredible 360 degree views of Dijon.
This experience must be booked in advance on the official tourism website. There are several tours per day and it's relatively inexpensive to visit. Book your tickets here.
Palace of the Dukes and Estates of Burgundy
After you climb Tour Phillippe Le Bon, you can continue to experience the rest of the Palace of the Dukes and Estates of Burgundy (Palais des Ducs et des États de Bourgogne).
The tower is part of the palace, so continue to walk around the exterior of the building and its courtyard to witness its magnificent architecture.
This medieval palace is completely free to visit. It's home to an impressive array of artifacts and art from the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
Musee des Beaux Arts de Dijon is also inside the Palace of the Dukes and it's also free to visit. Please note that the fine art museum and the ducal palace are closed on Tuesdays.
Dijon Mustard Tasting at Moutarde Maille
Moutarde Maille is a famous Dijon mustard shop that opened in 1845. It's the perfect place to shop for mustards in a variety of flavors, as well as pickles, oils and salad dressings.
They also offer fresh mustard on tap, and you can sample the mustard before you buy it. There are numerous flavors to taste. We bought our favorite Dijon mustard from the tap, and it came in a reusable clay jar.
The next time we return to Dijon, I'll be sure to bring back my little container for a refill!
Arquebuse Botanical Gardens
Also known as Jardin Botanique de l'Arquebuse in French, the Arquebuse Botanical Gardens is one of the most peaceful and pretty places in Dijon. It's open daily and it is free to visit.
There are 4000 plant species with an emphasis on flowers that are native to Burgundy. With so much to discover, like the arboretum, rock garden, pond, rose garden and flower gardens, it's easy to spend more time here than you expect.
The gardens provide a sensory journey around edible plants, like the elaborate collection of herbs and grape vines. It's also home to wild ducks, swans and geese.
Darcy Garden (Jardin Darcy)
Jardin Darcy is the town's first public garden, dating back to 1880. This park was designed around a pre-existing reservoir created in 1840 by the engineer Henry Darcy. The reservoir brought water to the town from nearby Val Suzon.
There's a striking white bridge and other memorable details to discover throughout this romantic garden. For instance, the white bear sculpture pays tribute to the famous animal sculptor, Francois Pompon.
You can see Pompon's works at the Fine Arts Museum in town. We visited Darcy Garden in late March, just as the first blooms were beginning to emerge. I'm sure it looks even more lush and colorful in the late spring and summer months.
Walk Around Dijon's Historic Streets
One of my favorite things to do in Dijon is walk around and explore on foot. There are some impressive buildings and unmissable streets that are steeped in history and beloved to this day.
On the corner of Rue de la Liberte and Rue Bossuet, Maison aux Trois Visages is a collection of three half-timbered houses built in the 1470s.
Both Rue des Forges and Rue Verrerie are old cobblestone streets with amazing architecture and half-timbered buildings.
Place François Rude (François Rude Square) is a central gathering spot marked by a beautiful fountain in the middle. There's a vintage carousel for kids and lively patios to stop for a drink or a meal.
Les Halles Market
Les Halles Market is a giant food market that was built in 1873-1875. It's a covered market with its iconic metal structure that you'll recognize immediately.
There are stands with freshly picked vegetables, cheese, wine, sweet treats, and even books and records.
Market days are every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. We unfortunately missed our chance to visit this huge farmers market, but we'll check it out the next time we visit Dijon.
Renting a Car in France
Here's everything you need to know before renting a car in France! Very helpful if plan to include Dijon on a road trip.
Restaurants in Dijon
With only one day in Dijon, you'll need to be picky when it comes to your dining choices. I've highlighted two restaurants and a cafe that are excellent options. They're also vegan-friendly!
L'Alsacien Dijon
L'Alsacien Dijon is a traditional Alsatian restaurant specializing in flammekueches, a type of flatbread that's similar to a pizza. While Dijon isn't located in Alsace region, it's relatively close by.
This establishment uses hand-braided dough made in Alsace and ingredients that are sourced locally.
They have one vegan flammekueche on the menu called "O'Vegan Kenobi" with a plant-based cream base, onions, La-Vie plant-based bacon bits, mushrooms and malted yeast.
I love that they have a vegan version of a traditional specialty on the menu. Plus, it tasted great!
Samourai Sushi
Samourai Sushi has two restaurants with a location in Dijon and a location in Besançon. You might not think of France as the best place to enjoy sushi, but Dijon has a truly international food and restaurant scene where you can find so many different cuisines.
I'm so pleased that we tried Samourai Sushi as I'm actually still thinking about how delicious it was. While you'll find all of your sushi favourites on the menu, it's also incredibly vegan-friendly for those who eat plant-based like I do.
If there's a "vegan" label beside an item on the menu, you can ask for the animal products to be replaced by their famous fried marinated tofu. We enjoyed a few different sushi rolls and nourishing bowls of miso soup.
Coffee Break at Le P'tit Zinc
Le P'tit Zinc was a great place to stop for a coffee and rest our legs midday. It's a cozy cafe that makes you feel right at home through its rustic decor and comfortable seating areas.
The cafe is quite spacious with both upper and lower areas to relax and savor a warm beverage. Not only do they offer tea and coffee, but there's also lunch, dinner, dessert, cocktails and local wine.
We simply enjoyed cappuccinos with plant-based milk that hit the spot.
More Things to Do in Dijon
While it's easy to see everything in Dijon in a day, we recommend spending more time in Dijon if you plan to take any day trips. You might also wish to explore more of Dijon's food scene across a weekend as it is known for its gastronomy.
Here are some more things to do in Dijon, including day trips and museums (some with free admission!):
- International City of Gastronomy and Wine (Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin): a center dedicated to food and wine in France with free exhibits and paid experiences
- Small Group Wine Tour of Burgundy from Dijon
- Burgundy Wines Masterclass in Dijon, led by a sommelier
Getting There
If you're traveling internationally, fly to the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Here's where you can search for the best rates on flights.
Then, you can either take a train to Dijon or pick up a rental car. If you're taking a road trip of France, it is a good idea to pick up your rental car from the Paris Airport. We always use Discover Cars to find the best prices on car rentals.
Where to Stay in Dijon
We stayed one night at the ibis Styles Dijon Central. The location can't be beat. It's within a 10-minute walk of the main train station, and it's situated inside the pedestrian-only historic district. Simply put, you're close to all the action.
Our room had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. While it's a pretty standard three-star hotel, we only used the hotel as a base and a place to rest our heads at night.
The hotel room is a bit on the small side. But, we valued location the most, which the ibis Styles Dijon Central easily provided. Plus, the room was clean, cozy, and we had a good night's sleep.
There's also complimentary Wi-Fi, soundproofed guest rooms, and two restaurants attached to the hotel. Justin and I enjoyed our stay and wouldn't hesitate to stay here again (or recommend it to our readers!).
More Places to Stay in Dijon
If you'd like to compare hotels, their locations and prices, please use this handy map. Click each property to learn more and book your stay.
More France Destination Guides
Here are some more places you should visit in France. We've created itineraries and guides for them:
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Don't forget travel insurance!
Heading out of the country? Don't forget to get travel insurance. It's best to be covered in case of an emergency, cancellation or accident.
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