DIJON
People say variety is the spice of life. And this couldn’t be more true when we think of Dijon. With its magnificent heritage, its world-famous wines and its gourmet cuisine, one can’t say Dijon doesn’t have a lot to offer to anyone who wants to enjoy life.
But could we say that spice is the life of variety? Maybe in Dijon we can. From its renowned mustard to its sweet gingerbread speciality – which carries the word “spice” in its name – the “pain d’épices”, we can be sure Dijon is spicy. From its half-timbered houses and winding lanes, to its wide open spaces and majestic edifices, we can be sure Dijon has many faces. Traditional and modern, old and new, sweet and spicy, everything is gathered here.
Renowned for its heritage and its wines, Burgundy’s gastronomic specialities are concentrated in the heart of its capital, Dijon. A wide variety of gourmet foods will please even the most discriminating palate: for starters, try some escargot. Main course? You can’t miss boeuf bourguignon. And to finish your meal on a sweet note, some pain d’épices… all this while sipping at some kir – which is made with crème de cassis liqueur and Burgundy white wine.

Since the earliest times, Dijon’s geographical situation has placed it at the crossroads of the major trade routes. Originally called Divio, this was the town chosen by the Burgundian Dukes to be the capital of their vast territory between 1363 and 1477. Under the Great Dukes of Burgundy, Dijon took on a European dimension notable for its flourishing art and architecture. After returning to the French crown, Dijon today is the sum of many different historical epochs – from the half-timbered houses gracing the narrow cobblestone streets to the modern architectural ensembles lining the wide boulevards.

With all this diversity, walking in the streets of Dijon is a unique experience. Let yourself be captivated by the ducal palace, the rue des Forges with its town houses and rue Verrerie and its antique shops, Saint-Bénigne Cathedral and its 11th-century crypt, the museums, the former Palais de Justice (law courts), the shops selling traditional produce (mustard, crème de cassis liqueur and gingerbread) and also the Burgundy vineyards and its wine-tasting cellars. The capital of Burgundy will seduce you, just like it did when François I, king of France, arrived here for the first time. He exclaimed at the sight of Dijon: “What a beautiful town, it is the town of a hundred bell-towers”.

WHAT’S ON...

Motorcycles Legends Cup
2009 - May 23 to May 24 (to be confirmed)
More than 1 000 motorcycles in demonstration on the track!
The event of Motorcycles Legends Cup is the biggest European gathering of classic motorcycles and the inescapable meeting of passionate persons of motorcycles of collection!
Participants are coming from all Europe and the most beautiful models will be presented and demonstrated on the track: any brands, any models and any countries!
Whether passionate or just attracted by the fun to see motorcycles from all times, this event is for you!
http://www.circuit-dijon-prenois.com

The Hungarian Fauves 1904-1914 - The Lesson of Matisse
2009 - March 13 to June 15
Following the show "The Hungarian Fauves from Paris to Nagybanya, 1904-1914" presented in 2006 at the Hungarian National Gallery of Budapest, The Fine Arts Museum of Dijon is pleased to continue the programme of exhibitions.
The Dijon exhibition intends to introduce Hungarian artists who lived and worked temporarily in Paris where they were influenced by a new tendency known as Fauvism. This name was given ironically to a group of artist around Henri Matisse who revolutionized European painting.
The exhibition will attempt to recall the fruitful dialogue that existed between Paris and Budapest through a selection of approximately one hundred Hungarian Fauvist work juxtaposed with works of French Fauves.
www.dijon-tourism.com/uk/

SPECIAL OFFERS

Art, Wine and Gastronomy
2009 – January 1 – December 31
3 days / 2 nights for two persons – 635 euros, an additional charge for a single room: 62 euros
Mercure Dijon Centre Clémenceau – 2 nights half-board, dinner. 1 lunch at Beaune (drinks included). 1 lunch at Dijon (drinks included) *.

Day 1 :
Arrival at the end of the afternoon, where you will receive a personal welcome at the hotel of your choice in Dijon. After receiving the Getaway Pack, settle in your room. Dinner, drinks included, at the restaurant, and night at the hotel.

Day 2 :
Tour the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune vineyards with your chauffer-guide. Wine cellar visits and wine tastings. Enjoy regional dishes during lunch at the La Ferme aux Vins restaurant in Beaune *. Visit the Hospices de Beaune, then you are free to explore the centre of Beaune. Return to Dijon with the driver at the end of the afternoon. Dinner, drinks included, at the restaurant, and night at the hotel.

Day 3 :
Cultural tour of Dijon. Lunch, drinks included, at Les Jardins de la Cloche restaurant in Dijon: enjoy an aperitif at the bar followed by a gastronomic meal in the glass-roofed restaurant. The end of our services.

Transport and tours, day 2. Visit to the Hospices de Beaune. Cultural tour of Dijon. Visitor's tax.
Any personal expenses. Cancellation - luggage - repatriation insurance. Any additional charge not mentioned.

Hôtels Bourgogne Qualité
2 Boulevard de la Marne
21000 DIJON
tel : 03 80 28 00 91
fax : +33 (0)3 80 73 37 43
email : contact@hotels-bourgogne.com
www.hotels-bourgogne.com
By air, Dijon Bourgogne Airport caters for vacation and business air travel: over 10 holiday destinations between June and September plus customised reception of charter flights and private jets.
By train, Dijon railway station provides excellent connections to and from major French and European towns and cities. No fewer than 19 daily connections to Paris and 22 to Lyon! London is only 5 hours 45 minutes away thanks to Eurostar.
By car, Dijon lies at the heart of a motorway system putting it in touch with numerous major European cities: 190 Km from Lyon, 300 Km from Paris or 700 km from London.

The Dukes and Gastronomy
2009 - from January 5 to December 18
2 days / 1 night for two persons - 175 €, additional charge for a single-room : 49 €

Hôtel du Nord - 1 night in a double-room, dinner. 2 lunches at Restaurant de la Porte Guillaume (drinks not included). Cultural tour of Dijon. Wine tasting. Visitor's tax (drinks, any personal expenses, any additional charge not included).

Day 1:
Arrival at hotel in Dijon in late morning
Lunch at the Restaurant de la Porte Guillaume
Visit of Dijon : streets, churches, Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy, etc...
Continuation of the visit with the Fine Arts Museum
Wine tasting in a wine cellar
Gastronomic dinner at the Restaurant de la Porte Guillaume

Day 2:
Free time for visits and shopping.
Lunch at the Restaurant de la Porte Guillaume.

Office de Tourisme de Dijon
11 rue des Forges
21000 DIJON
tel : +33 (0)892 700 558
fax : +33 (0)3 80 30 90 02
reserver@dijon-tourism.com
www.dijon-tourism.com/uk/

By air, Dijon Bourgogne Airport caters for vacation and business air travel: over 10 holiday destinations between June and September plus customised reception of charter flights and private jets.
By train, Dijon railway station provides excellent connections to and from major French and European towns and cities. No fewer than 19 daily connections to Paris and 22 to Lyon! London is only 5 hours 45 minutes away thanks to Eurostar.
By car, Dijon lies at the heart of a motorway system putting it in touch with numerous major European cities: 190 Km from Lyon, 300 Km from Paris or 700 km from London.