- Duration
- 4 hours
- Location
- Burgundy
- Spend a day in Dijon, accompanied by an expert historian or art historian
- Includes a private car service for the duration of the tour in Dijon
- Porte Guillaume, Rue des Forges, Palais de Justice, Saint-Bénigne Cathedral, and Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy
Sites Visited
- Porte Guillaume
- Rue des Forges
- Palais de Justice
- Saint-Bénigne Cathedral
- Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy
- Tour Philippe le Bon
Includes
- 4 hours with a local expert
- Private Vehicle
- Optional extension to include Fontenay Abbey
Itinerary Details
We'll then turn to the city’s historic churches, such as the 11th-century Saint-Bénigne before reaching the historic heart of Dijon, dominated by Place de la Libération—an enormous, semi-circular square, now lined with cafés, which was built to showcase a statue of Louis XIV. Ironically, the statue was melted down to make cannons during the French Revolution. Opposite the square is the Palais des Ducs et des États de Bourgogne (Dukes' Palace), built in the 14th century but continually restored and enlarged over the following 500 years. Today it houses the Town Hall and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, where the tombs of the Dukes can be viewed. With the help of your expert guide, you will then have the opportunity to climb the 48-meter high Tour Philippe le Bon, which provides magnificent views over the rooftops of Dijon and an aerial view of the medieval center nestled in the heart of the city. To end the walk, you have the option of joining your expert guide to indulge in a refreshment and little people-watching from an outdoor café, while absorbing everything that’s been discussed over the morning.
FAQ
I'm coming from Paris. Can I still fit this tour in a day?
Absolutely. You can reach Dijon in under 2 hours from Paris. Your guide will meet you at the station and drop you off at the end of the day to get back to Paris by the evening.
Where do we meet? Where does it end?
Stephen has been living in France since 1992. After 5 years of working in the perfume industry in Grasse, he moved into the wine industry in Provence taking charge of wine tourism development at the Chateau de Berne. Stephen then worked for a fine wine merchant as a Burgundy sourcing agent based in Dijon (Stephen has French family in Burgundy) and became a Burgundy wine broker from then on. He has a consummate knowledge of Burgundy from its long wine history, to the secrets of the terroir and long-standing friendships with the winemakers. Stephen is also a part-time lecturer at various burgundy business schools, runs a wine club and has been initiating wine-lovers into Burgundy since 2012 from novices to winemakers from around the world.
Born and raised in Dijon, the capital of Burgundy, Jeremie has been associated with Burgundy's wine secrets through his family and winemakers' friends for as long as he can remember. After a scholarship based on sports education, project management, tourism guidance, and hotel management, Jeremie has worked in different places in France and Europe as a guide, hotel manager and travel designer. Back in Burgundy since 2016, he has dedicated his activities to local wine tourism as a wine guide, a bike guide, a wines event manager and a photographer. Passionate about his region, its history, and its wines, Jeremie will ensure you discover the wonders and secrets of “his” Burgundy.
Michael was born in Glasgow in 1969, studied Business Administration and History at the University of Strathclyde and arrived in France in 1991 to learn French and experience French life. Two years of organizing clients on camping holidays in Burgundy was followed by 20 years working as a driver-guide for a specialist hotel barge company, based in Dijon, and various other hotel barge companies, providing guiding services off-board and sommelier services on board to high end generally American clients. Michael has worked in almost every region of France, for at least a year each, gaining a broad understanding of French history and culture throughout its diverse regions. Since 2013, Michael has been an independent guide associated with wine, historical walking, and cycling tours.
