Discover Dijon on our 4-hour half-day tour with a local expert to the region. Designed to provide a perfect overview of Dijon for those visiting for the first time or experienced returning travelers, this tour includes a morning visit of the historic town of Dijon, the former home and capital of the Dukes of Burgundy, as well as a mustard tasting experience. 

On this walk with your expert guide, you will learn how the Dukes of Burgundy, based in Dijon, ruled this corner of France during the 14th & 15th centuries. It wasn’t until 1477, after the death of the Duke Charles the Bold, that the area came under French rule. With your local guide, you will trace Dijon’s rich history by exploring some of its most significant monuments such as Porte Guillaume, a majestic 18th-century arch that was once the gate into town, and Rue des Forges, a stunning street lined with ornate 13th, 15th, and 16th-century noble houses. Afterward, you will visit the Palais de Justice and its surrounding private mansions. The Palais de Justice, built in the 16th century to house the parliament and the mansions built for government officials surrounding it, are a testament to Dijon’s former glory. 

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.

For those wanting to extend this tour to a full-day tour to include an afternoon visit to the Fontenay Abbey and the village of Flavigny sur Ozerain, please let us know in your client notes. We will adjust the timing and the pricing.

To continue your explorations of Burgundy with Context, we recommend our Luxury Burgundy Wine Tour, or are happy to assist in assembling a Custom Tour geared to your specific interests.

Our private tours are limited exclusively to travelers in your party. They are designed to provide a learning experience that is completely tailored to you and your traveling companions. Private tours give you more flexibility with scheduling (you decide when the walk best fits in your trip), the ability to tailor your itinerary (we'll work to match the itinerary to the interests and dynamics of your group), and more personalized time with your guide.

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?

We meet in Dijon, either at your accommodation or the train station. Your route may differ according to your guide. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map, and 24-hour phone number for any last-minute issues.

Tours operate rain or shine, but in the case of inclement weather, your expert will modify the tour so more time is spent indoors. It never hurts to be prepared; we encourage keeping an eye on the weather and bringing along an umbrella, sunscreen, water, or a hat as needed.

Yes, we can adjust the time to 2 hours and the content to be more appropriate for younger learners. 

We do cover quite a bit of ground on this tour and therefore we recommend contacting us with any mobility questions; we will be happy to advise if the itinerary will be appropriate for you or propose modifications where necessary. Please feel free to contact us.