Travel

Exploring Northern France: Dijon

Dijon, France

I’m sharing more today from trip to Northern France! After first visiting Reims, we went to Dijon.

Dijon, France - Architectural Details

Nicole in Dijon, France

A Church in Dijon, France

The food was excellent (as it was everywhere in France, but especially at Loiseau des Ducs), and the food shopping was excellent too. The big marketplace we visited was bustling, and everything looked so fresh!

Food Marketplace in Dijon, France

Of course, you have to have Dijon mustard when in Dijon.

Moutarde Maille (Dijon Mustard, in France)

And more wine! More vineyards! This time, they’re producing Burgundies.

Burgundy Vineyards Near Dijon, France

Burgundy Wine in Dijon, France

As we explored, it’s hard not to notice that everything is more charming in France. Take this perfectly adorable orange bicycle, in front of a perfectly lovely doorway, for example.

A Cute Orange Bicycle in Dijon, France

See also: a perfectly blue vintage car, in front of a perfectly lovely lunch spot.

Vintage Blue Car in Poitiers, France

Carol, Dave, and Jordan climbed the Tour Philippe le Bon, for a view of the town. It’s 150 feet high, and after climbing to the top of Reims Cathedral the day before, my six-months-pregnant belly and me were out. Instead, I went by myself to the Musée de la Vie Bourguignonne, which was just down the street from our hotel. I mean this in the best possible way — because I really liked it — the first floor was a little creepy. It was empty (though more people did filter through as I was there longer), and the first floor starts out with wax figures wearing period clothing, staged in sets, with French phrases in whimsical calligraphy floating across the glass displays of disembodied hands and other body parts.

Musée de la Vie Bourguignonne, Dijon, France

Musée de la Vie Bourguignonne, Dijon, France

I was super into it. The second floor was equally interesting, albeit it in a less creepy, more conventional way. There were various recreations of old-fashioned shops.

Musée de la Vie Bourguignonne, Dijon, France

Musée de la Vie Bourguignonne, Dijon, France

For a foolproof way to see the sights in Dijon, follow the Owl’s Trail. The Dijon Office of Tourism has maps with more information too, and you can follow short or long loops of the trail to see the historic city. And don’t forget to find the owl (La Chouette) on the corner of the Notre Dame in Dijon — rub it with your left hand and make a wish!

The Owl's Trail in Dijon, France

Church in Dijon, France

Dijon, France

Shopping inDijon, France

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  • Laura @ Rather Square
    July 9, 2014 at 8:49 am

    Sounds really lovely. As a pregnant girl myself (slightly ahead of you I think, at 7.5 months), I can’t believe you climbed that cathedral! I would not have been able to manage it. However, museum-ing sounds like a perfect alternative, especially this one you went to in Dijon. So weird and cool.

    • Making it Lovely
      July 9, 2014 at 10:28 am

      You’re a month ahead of me, but yeah, I didn’t think I could make it about halfway through! So glad I did, but it was tough.

  • Lisa
    July 9, 2014 at 9:25 am

    The link for Loiseau didn’t work for me. Lovely photos! Looks like an amazing adventure!

    • Making it Lovely
      July 9, 2014 at 10:27 am

      Thanks for letting me know — there was a typo, but I’ve fixed it.

  • Dajana
    July 9, 2014 at 4:10 pm

    I’m with you Nicole, I also enjoyed the creepy first floor of the Musée de la Vie Bourguignonne. I felt as if their eyes were following me.

    P.S. Your striped dress is très chic.

    • Making it Lovely
      July 11, 2014 at 9:54 pm

      Yes! It was intensified since I was by myself, and it was empty and quiet. So creepy (and so awesome).

      And thanks!

  • Stacy Weiland
    July 10, 2014 at 9:21 am

    Oh my goodness. I absolutely lust after others travel stories until I can make the trek myself. Your pictures are absolutely beautiful. Half timbered houses, odd curiosities, bustling French markets…sounds amazing. :)

  • Ninon
    July 10, 2014 at 10:11 am

    As a french girl, whose family lives in a small town close to Dijon, it is lovely to see the city from your eyes!

    I’ve never actually visited the musée de la vie bourguignonne, but i swear the next time I come to Dijon, I’m going to take a look at it!

    It’s so funny to see that “normal” stuff for me like the marketplace or the old shops is so interesting for you! It reminds me that I’m lucky to live in a gorgeous country and that I should take the time to look around me a little more! Thanks for that!

    • Making it Lovely
      July 11, 2014 at 10:00 pm

      It’s always funny to see your town through someone else’s eyes, isn’t it? Dijon (along with the other areas of France that I’ve been lucky to see now) was beautiful, and each city so different from the others.

  • Suzy
    July 10, 2014 at 8:34 pm

    We went to Dijon on our trip to France last summer. Dijon was a complete surprise! We must have had the same guide, lol, because we took photos on that staircase (which is in a courtyard, not visible from street, lol) and we bought several things at the market there! We saw that church with all the gargoyles – and that amazing clock/display on the roof. And those ‘oldest’ houses from centuries ago (which we don’t have a photo of, so this was great to see). Thank you for letting us re-live our trip with you here! We’re going again next month – to visit a few more towns and cities. Thank you for your posts of your trip! They are wonderful!

    • Making it Lovely
      July 11, 2014 at 9:55 pm

      Yep, that’s the courtyard up there! So cool that we had similar experiences — and so fantastic that you’re heading back to see more.

  • Xenia
    July 13, 2014 at 2:47 am

    The link Tour Phillipe Le Bon says page not found.

  • Exploring Northern France: Poitiers | Making it Lovely
    July 28, 2014 at 12:51 pm

    […] visiting Reims and Dijon, I ended my trip with the French board of tourism in Poitiers. (Jordan and I extended our trip and […]