Dijon Travelers Recommend

Dijon may be most famous for its mustard but the centuries-old city is also a popular pilgrimage point for wine lovers; the capital of the Burgundy region is just a short trip from many of France’s top vineyards. Three days in Dijon give you enough time sample wine and go city sightseeing. Here’s how.

Day 1: City Explorations

Attractive, walkable, and bursting with heritage architecture, Dijon is one of France’s most accessible cities. Dedicate your first day to discovering local delicacies on a food tour that covers Les Halles Market. Here, see how locals shop and taste staples of Burgundian cuisine, which include gingerbread, gougères (cheese puffs), and, of course, Dijon mustard.

Once your appetite is sated, continue exploring Dijon’s UNESCO-listed city center on a walking tour. Old Town highlights include the Church of Notre-Dame, which dates back to the 13th century and the lavish Palace of the Dukes and Estates of Burgundy. Head inside for a closer look and drop by the Musée des Beaux-Arts housed within its walls. As the day winds down, enjoy dinner at one of the city’s traditional bistros: you’ll want to prepare yourself for the wine tastings ahead.

Day 2: Discovering the Côte de Nuits

The Côte d’Or, a limestone ridge in the heart of the region, is best known for the quality of its vines. The wineries in the area are celebrated as some of the world’s best, and the Côte d’Or is divided into two main subregions which specialize in pinot noir and chardonnay respectively.

Tasting tours give you the chance to explore both regions without having to worry about navigating; a number of half- and full-day tours depart from Dijon, so you can leave the logistics (and the driving) to someone else. Tours typically include a hearty breakfast and give you the chance to venture into the vines, explore heritage cellars, and do plenty of tasting. Plus, as you wind your way along the Route des Grands Crus, you’ll discover heralded communes such as Gevrey-Chambertin, Nuits-Saint-Georges, and Vosne-Romanée.

Day 3: Day Tripping on the Côte de Beaune

Dedicate your third and final day in Burgundy to discovering the Côte de Beaune region. Comprising Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Pommard, and Chassagne-Montrachet, the area is packed with world-class communes. One day gives you enough time to wend your way through medieval villages, glimpse the climats (traditional wine-growing parcels) that dot the landscape, and even drop by some of the top-rated domaines (winemakers) in the area.

A number of full-day tours provide access to the region’s coveted villages and wineries, and typically include tastings, behind-the-scenes tours, and rouns-trip transport, which allows you to admire the sights of the Route des Grands Crus and sip without stress. Many also stop in the heritage town of Beaune. Regarded as the capital of the Burgundy wine region, Beaune boasts striking landmarks (including the Hospices de Beaune) and traditional eateries.

The capital of France’s Burgundy region, Dijon is famous for its eponymous mustard. But the sharp-yet-creamy condiment is just one of many gastronomic delights that can be found in this charming city. Here’s what you need to know about dining and drinking in Dijon.

Must-Try Dishes and Varietals

Dijon mustard is the city’s most well-known food export, and you’ll find various varieties for sale in boutiques around the city. In Dijon, as in the rest of Burgundy, dishes such as coq au vin (a wine-infused chicken stew), boeuf bourguignon (a rich, red-wine-based stew), oeufs en meurette (poached eggs in red-wine sauce), and escargots à la Bourgogne (snails in parsley-garlic butter) are popular. You’ll also see lots of flavorful cuts of Charolais beef, which come from the cattle that roam Burgundy’s fertile fields, as well as cheese platters composed of local products such as Epoisses and Abbaye de la Pierre qui Vire. For a sweet snack, pick up some pain d'épices (gingerbread) or nonnettes (a small cake made of gingerbread, honey, and orange).

Dijon is surrounded by some of France’s premier vineyards and most renowned wine producers, with pinot noirs from Côte de Nuits and chardonnays from Côte de Beaune featuring heavily. Don’t leave the region without trying crème de cassis, a blackberry liqueur native to Dijon. It’s commonly poured into Champagne to make a Kir Royale, an effervescent cocktail.

Must-Do Experiences

• Take part in wine tastings and learn about local viticulture during wine tours around the Côte d’Or.

• Descend into atmospheric cellars for wine-and-cheese pairings.

• Explore Dijon’s Les Halles food market and sample local specialties on a food tour.