I fell in love with this charming village with its narrow cobblestone streets, half-timbered homes and majestic Renaissance buildings.
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The scenes that first greeted me after I arrived in Dijon were streets flanked by people enjoying the evening. The building in the center is the Hotel de la Casse d'Epargne, a bank built between 1889 and 1890 in an eclectic architectural style. It was the city's first savings bank.
The Cafe des Forges is a traditional French bistro serving authentic French food and Burgundy wine.
The historic half-timbered Maison Millière houses the Caffe Gufo coffee and tea shop on the ground floor. A beautifully preserved building constructed in 1483, it was restored in 1998. The restaurant offers authentic French cuisine created from local products.
Fun facts about Dijon

Dijon is famous for its Dijon mustard.
I visited the Maison Maille and Edmond Fallot mustard boutiques and discovered flavors I didn’t know existed. Maison Maille has created 84 different varieties of mustard! Check out the tantalizing history of Maille mustard.
The owl is the symbol and talisman of Dijon.
There's a small, well-worn carving of an owl on the north facade of Notre-Dame Church which is said to bring good luck. As legend goes, if you touch the owl with your left hand and make a wish, your wish will come true. Dijon also created the Owl Trail, a self-guided walking tour with 22 bronze markers embedded in the pavement that lead you to the city's most iconic sites.
Historic Dijon architecture
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The House with Three Faces.
​In the Middle Ages, street frontage was at a premium, so a house with a big façade sent the message that the owner was very wealthy. The House with Three Faces is actually two homes built with three peaks to create a grand impression.
Timber-framed buildings.
​These handsome buildings date from the 15th and 16th centuries. When I look at Medieval architecture, I wonder about the lives of ordinary people who lived during the Middle Ages.
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Farming households tried to produce as much of what they needed to survive. All family members, including children, shared daily tasks and care of the animals.

In the villages there was usually a blacksmith to tend to horses' feet. There could be merchants and innkeepers, and tradesmen including carpenters, brewers, millers, weavers, and others.

Houses were more than just a kitchen and family sleeping quarters. They were also a place to store food, brew ale, and
repair tools. Homes often included workshops for the family trade such as spinning flax or wool and making cloth to sell.
Maison Maillard, also  Maison Milsand. Considered to be one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, the Maison Maillard/Milsand was built in 1560 in the Renaissance style for the mayor of Dijon. The façade is lavishly ornamented in garlands, fruits, flowers, lion heads and other decorative motifs. It has reportedly been in the same family lineage for 350 years and was classified as an historic monument in 1889.
L'immeuble Art Nouveau.
Built about 1907 the Art Nouveau building, inspired by the Louis XVI style, features two identical facades, each with a bay window adorned with chestnut leaves, apples, hazelnuts and flowering pear leaves. The ground floor is occupied by stores whose facades maintain the building’s Art Nouveau lines.
Église Saint-Michel de Dijon. ​
Saint Michael's Church has been part of  Dijon's spiritual and architectural transformation for more than a thousand years, making it a historical treasure.

The earliest mention of Saint-Michel Church dates to 889, when it was likely a small wooden chapel. A larger church was built in 1020 to accommodate the growing population. By 1497, the church had again become too small for the expanding congregation and a building project began. The new structure was consecrated in 1529. Over time, the church expanded further with new portals (1537 and 1551) and rebuilt towers (mid-1600s). Private chapels were funded by wealthy families in the 16th century and Greek-style woodwork was added in 1763. The church is admired especially for its exquisite 16th-century Renaissance façade, considered to be one of the most beautiful in France. 

One of Dijon’s most cherished spiritual figures, Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity (1880-1906), prayed here often and made her first communion in this church. 
Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy.
Dijon served as the capital for the powerful Dukes of Burgundy who ruled a vast European territory from about 880 until 1477. They played a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of medieval Europe. 

The most notable duke, Philip the Bold, initiated construction of the Palace of the Dukes in 1364. After the Duchy of Burgundy was occupied by the Kingdom of France, the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy served as a royal residence for the French kings when they visited the province of Burgundy. The photo of the ornate door was taken in the Chapelle des Élus (Chapel of the Elect) in the Palace. 
The Dukes of Burgundy were cultural patrons as well as political leaders. They contributed to the arts, making Dijon a center of culture during their reign. The Palace now houses the City Hall and the Museum of Fine Arts, which showcases the rich heritage of the region.

On my first visit to Dijon, France, I was immediately captivated by the beauty of its medieval and Renaissance architecture. As I wandered through the historic streets, I admired the timber-framed houses, elegant stone buildings, and intricate details that seemed to bring the city’s past to life. The medieval churches and grand Renaissance mansions created a striking blend of Gothic grandeur and graceful refinement. I especially loved how these historic buildings stood alongside lively cafés and modern streets, making the city feel both timeless and vibrant. Dijon is a place where history was not simply preserved, but woven into the everyday life of the city.

Dijon: Five stars, highly recommend.