What to do in Dijon: Top 10 must-do activities and places

Here is our top 10 must-do things in Dijon. Ready to discover the capital of Burgundy?

Together, we are diving into the heart of the city of the dukes, exploring hidden historic spots, finding great ideas for a romantic weekend or a family trip, and getting to grips with the local food scene. The region’s history is felt on every street corner. Whether you are here for a few days or living year-round in one of our UXCO Student residences in Dijon, get ready: Dijon will surprise you. To get started, take a look at our tips for enjoying Dijon as a student city.

Top 10 must-do activities in Dijon

To make sure you do not miss the soul of the city of the dukes, here is a selection of our favourite experiences, mixing centuries of heritage, green walks, and foodie gems:

1. Follow the Owl Trail and make a wish

This iconic activity helps you get your bearings in the city centre while uncovering its best-kept secrets. By following the 22 stops marked by bronze arrows on the ground, you will walk through the most beautiful neighbourhoods in the city. The highlight is, of course, the Notre-Dame Church, home to the small carved owl.

Tradition says you should stroke it with your left hand to make your wish come true, but be careful not to meet the gaze of the dragon sculpture nearby, which could cancel your wish. It is a fun and perfect introduction to local history, shaped by the influence of the powerful dukes.

• Practical info: A guide booklet is available at the tourist office or via the mobile app.
• Price: Around €3.50 for the booklet. The trail on the ground is free.
• How to get there: Trams T1 and T2, stop “Darcy”. The circuit starts a 2-minute walk from the square.

👉 Plan the Owl Trail

2. Climb to the top of Philippe the Good’s Tower

To admire the rooftops of Burgundy, climbing this tower is a must. At 46 metres high, it rises above the Palace and offers a breathtaking panorama over Place de la Libération and the surrounding hills. As you climb the 316 steps, you travel through the centuries and discover the former power of the dukes. It is the ideal spot for your best photos of the capital and to grasp the scale of the heritage around you. Tip: go at sunset for unforgettable golden light on the stonework. This tower is a true historic gem.

• Practical info: Booking is required, as access is limited to 18 people per time slot.
• Price: €6 (reduced rate €4 for students and under 26s).
• How to get there: Trams T1 and T2, stop “Godrans”, then a 5-minute walk to the Palace courtyard.

👉 Book your climb up Philippe the Good’s Tower

3. Explore the treasures of the Museum of Fine Arts

Housed in the former kitchens and apartments of the dukes’ palace, this museum is one of the most important in Europe thanks to the richness of its collections. You will find works ranging from Antiquity to contemporary art, but the highlight is the tombs room. The recumbent statues of Philip the Bold and John the Fearless are masterpieces of medieval sculpture and a powerful reminder of the region’s historic greatness. Each room of this museum tells a chapter of European art history.

• Practical info: Closed every Tuesday. Allow 1 hour 30 minutes to see the main highlights.
• Price: Free for the permanent collections.
• How to get there: Trams T1 and T2, stop “Godrans”, or the free “City” shuttle, stop “Sainte-Chapelle”.

👉 Check opening hours and exhibitions at the Museum of Fine Arts

4. Take a botanical break at the Jardin de l’Arquebuse

Need fresh air and calm? This beautiful 5-hectare botanical garden is the green lung of the city centre. Between its arboretum, rose garden, and botany school, it is an incredible place to learn and relax. The site also includes the Planetarium and the Natural History Museum, where you can deepen your knowledge of natural sciences. It is a favourite spot for Dijon students to read on the grass, go for a morning jog, or unwind from exam stress.

• Practical info: Dogs are not allowed in planted areas.
• Price: Free entry (garden and museum).
• How to get there: On foot (5 minutes from the SNCF train station) or Tram T1 and T2, stop “Foch Gare”.

👉 Discover the programme for the museum and Planetarium

5. Soak up the atmosphere at Les Halles Centrales

To understand the soul of Burgundy’s food culture, head under these metal market halls, inspired by the style of Gustave Eiffel. The buzz is constant: stalls overflow with local products like mustard, pain d’épices, and cheeses matured with grape marc. It is the perfect place to chat with producers and taste regional specialities before filling your basket. Local wines are also well represented.

• Practical info: Market days are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday mornings.
• Price: Free access to the building.
• How to get there: Free “City” shuttle, stop “Halles”, or a 4-minute walk from Tram stop “Godrans”.

👉 See market days and events at Les Halles

6. Discover the International City of Gastronomy and Wine

One of Dijon’s newest cultural offerings, this site is a vast complex dedicated to the French art de vivre. Located at the start of the famous wine route, it features engaging interactive exhibitions, cooking schools, and a monumental wine cellar where you can taste vintages from around the world. It is a modern place that blends history and innovation, perfect for a foodie stay. Come here to learn how terroir wines shaped local identity.

• Practical info: The site also includes an ultra-modern multiplex cinema.
• Price: Free access to the site. The cultural spaces ticket (exhibitions + CIAP) is €9 full price and €5 child price.
• How to get there: Tram T2, stop “Monge – Cité de la Gastronomie” (10 minutes from Darcy).

👉 Book tickets for the City of Gastronomy

7. Unwind in the legendary Parc Darcy

Created in the 19th century, this was the first public garden in the city. It is a neo-Renaissance masterpiece with cascades and stone balustrades. It is especially famous for the Polar Bear, a replica of a sculpture by local artist François Pompon. The park is overlooked by a magnificent townhouse that recalls the grandeur of the past. It is also a strategic meeting point for students before a night out or a shopping break, as it sits at the entrance to the main shopping street.

• Practical info: Great for a first romantic date by the fountains.
• Price: Free.
• How to get there: Trams T1 and T2, stop “Darcy”.

👉 Learn more about Parc Darcy and the area

8. Explore contemporary art at the Consortium Museum

If you need a break from classic heritage, head to Le Consortium. This world-renowned contemporary art centre is housed in a former factory renovated by Japanese architects. Exhibitions are often avant-garde, surprising, and thought-provoking. It is a hybrid venue that also hosts concerts and talks, and it fits perfectly into the city’s cultural tourism offering. Visiting gives you another side of Dijon, more urban and focused on today’s creativity.

• Practical info: A very specialised bookshop area is located at the entrance.
• Price: €5. Free on Fridays from 5 pm to 8 pm.
• How to get there: Stop “Wilson-Dumont”, served by buses L5, L6, L8, and B12 (around 15 minutes from the city centre).

👉 See current exhibitions at the Consortium Museum

9. Enjoy a relaxing day at Lac Kir

A true oasis on the edge of the city, Lac Kir is the favourite escape for locals as soon as the sun comes out. Come here to run on the landscaped paths, cycle along the canal, or simply lounge on the beach. It is perfect for a picnic with friends or a long post-lunch walk. Green tourism is well developed here. In summer, “Dijon Plage” turns the banks into a seaside-style spot with deckchairs and free activities. It is the ideal dose of nature to completely switch off.

• Practical info: Volleyball and tennis courts are available with free access.
• Price: Free access.
• How to get there: Bus L3, stop “Lac Kir” (about 12 minutes from the city centre).

👉 Plan your visit to Lac Kir and discover the activities

10. Escape to Beaune for a tasting

Just 20 minutes away by train, the small town of Beaune is well worth a half-day trip. The wine capital of Burgundy, it is home to the famous Hospices de Beaune with their stunning polychrome roofs. This former hospital is one of the finest examples of Flemish architecture in France. You can visit centuries-old cellars and join tasting workshops. It is a unique sensory experience that perfectly complements your time in Dijon.

• Practical info: Beaune’s town centre is entirely walkable from the train station.
• Price: The “Hôtel-Dieu” ticket is €9.50 full price (student reduced: also €9.50 for the base ticket).
• How to get there: Direct trains from Dijon Ville station (20 minutes, frequent departures).

👉 Book your visit to the Hospices de Beaune

💬 Expert tip: Fancy a romantic dinner? Book a table around Place Émile Zola. In the evening, its lit terraces create the warmest atmosphere in town for a cosy date.

How to get around Dijon ?

Getting around the city is easy thanks to the Divia network. Most points of interest in the city centre can be reached on foot, but here are your other options:

• Dijon City Pass: The ultimate good deal. It includes unlimited buses and trams and free entry to key attractions (Philippe the Good’s Tower, museums, and more). The City Pass comes in 24h, 48h, and 72h versions.
• Tram: Two lines (T1 and T2) cross the city from 5.30 am to midnight. It is the fastest way to get from the station to the city centre. See Divia Mobilités for more information.
• Free “City” shuttle: A fully free electric shuttle that loops around the historic centre every 10 minutes.
• Vélodi: The bike-sharing service. The first half hour is free. Great for getting to the Jardin de l’Arquebuse.
• Divia night service: The “Pleine Lune” line runs on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights to help students get home safely.

According to a study by Destination Dijon, the city was ranked among France’s most attractive destinations for young professionals in 2025, thanks to its multimodal transport network and manageable cost of living.

Fast itinerary: What to see in Dijon in just 1 day ?

If you only have 24 hours to explore the capital of the dukes, do not worry. The historic city centre is largely pedestrian and very compact, which means you can see the essentials without wasting time. To make the most of it without overspending, the Dijon City Pass 24h is strongly recommended. It includes transport and access to Philippe the Good’s Tower.

Here is an optimised plan for a full day:

• Morning: Start with the Owl Trail. It takes you past Notre-Dame Church and the city’s most beautiful historic mansions.
• Midday: Try a local mustard-based speciality near Les Halles to refuel.
• Afternoon: Dive into history at the Museum of Fine Arts, then finish with a climb up Philippe the Good’s Tower. Book your time slot in advance. If you choose the last slot of the day, you will also catch sunset.

Budget tips: What to do in Dijon for free ?

For students and budget-smart travellers, the city is packed with activities that cost nothing. Visiting Dijon does not have to be expensive to be full of discoveries.

Here is a quick list of 100% free activities:

• Municipal museums: All municipal museums (Vie Bourguignonne, Sacred Art, Archaeological) are free for everyone, all the time.
• Parks and gardens: Wander through the many parks (Colombière, Darcy, Arquebuse) that offer beautiful places to relax.
• Religious heritage: Visiting Saint-Bénigne Cathedral is free and lets you step into local history.

Fun outings: What to do in Dijon with family and loved ones ?

Even as a student, family visits are likely. To keep everyone entertained, the city offers activities that appeal to all ages:

• Jardin des Sciences: Located at the Arquebuse, it combines a Planetarium with a fascinating natural history museum.
• Parc de la Toison d’Or: A huge green space with playgrounds and animal enclosures.
• Owl Hunt: Buy the booklet at the tourist office (€3.50) and turn your city walk into a real treasure hunt.

Practical guide: A romantic weekend in Dijon

Planning a romantic weekend in Dijon takes a little preparation to maximise the magic of your stay. Here are the steps for a flawless plan:

1. Choose the season: Pick spring for blooming gardens or autumn for vineyard colours. Autumn is a great choice. The Côte de Nuits vineyards turn golden, creating a film-like setting just 10 minutes from the city centre.
2. Where to stay: Consider the Hôtel des Ducs. Located steps from the Palace, it offers charming rooms and even apartments. It is a great base for doing everything on foot.
3. Night-time atmosphere: For dinner, avoid the main avenues. Choose a small restaurant in the Antiquaires district or around Place Émile Zola. Book at least one week ahead, as good tables sell out on Saturday nights. “Dr Wine” is a great option for Burgundy wines paired with modern terroir cuisine, as is “L’Épicerie and Cie” for œufs en meurette in a romantic setting.
4. The “Wines and Pleasure” experience: Do not leave without a private tasting. Many wine merchants in the centre offer introductions to Burgundy wines in 17th-century vaulted cellars. Candlelit atmosphere guaranteed.
5. A suspended moment: Rent two Vélodi bikes and ride along the Canal de Bourgogne to Lac Kir at golden hour.