You have booked your stay in Dijon. You can already imagine wandering through the timber-framed streets of the old town, photographing the owl trail, admiring the roofs of the Palace of the Dukes. All of this is wise — Dijon is one of those cities that rewards curious travelers who take their time.
But if you limit yourself to the must-sees, you risk missing what makes this region truly unforgettable: the wine.
Here is a short list of the best things to do in Dijon — and why a well-chosen wine tasting workshop can become the highlight of your entire stay in Burgundy.
1. Follow the owl trail
This self-guided trail is the classic introduction to Dijon. Bronze owls embedded in the cobblestones guide you through more than 20 historical sites, from Gothic churches to Renaissance courtyards. Allow about an hour, and it costs nothing but your curiosity.
2. Visit the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy
Former residence of the powerful Dukes of Burgundy, this palace now houses the Museum of Fine Arts, one of the oldest art museums in France. Climb the Philippe le Bon tower for a panoramic view of the city’s terracotta roofs.
3. Stroll through the Dijon market halls
The covered market of Dijon, partly designed by Gustave Eiffel, is where locals buy cheeses, charcuterie, and fresh produce. Go there on a Saturday morning to fully experience it — and get a taste of the flavors you will later find in your glass.
4. Discover the Notre-Dame church and its gargoyles
Look up. The facade of this 13th-century church is covered with gargoyles, each a little different and a bit mischievous. The local legend says that rubbing the owl carved in the wall with your left hand brings good luck.
5. Stroll through the Darcy garden
A peaceful, tree-lined park near the train station — a good place to slow down between museum visits, especially if you are traveling at a more leisurely pace.
6. Explore the street of Forges
This narrow medieval street is lined with some of the oldest houses in Dijon, many of which hide ornate courtyards just behind their doors. Easy to miss, easy to love.
7. Taste the real Dijon mustard at the source
Mustard built this city's reputation long before tourism. A short tasting in a historic mustard shop is a quick and fun stop — and a good appetizer for what’s to come.
8. Take a day trip to the vineyards
If you have a free afternoon, the villages along the Route des Grands Crus — Gevrey-Chambertin, Vosne-Romanée, Meursault — are postcard beautiful, and just a few minutes' drive from Dijon.
9. Settle in for a true Burgundy wine tasting — in French or English
This is the one that people don’t plan for, and the one they remember the most.
Burgundy produces some of the most famous wines in the world, and yet most visitors leave Dijon having only seen a label on a restaurant menu. A guided tasting workshop changes all that. Rather than guessing what "Premier Cru" means or politely nodding in front of a wine list, you settle in for an hour or two with someone who really knows the region — and you start to understand what you are drinking.
At Vino Dilectio, this person is called Emeline: a Burgundian who has spent years exploring the hills of Gevrey-Chambertin and Meursault, and who now shares this knowledge during intimate and relaxed sessions, in an 18th-century cellar in the heart of Dijon. No groups of forty people. No recited speeches. Just five or six carefully selected wines, real food and wine pairings, sincere exchanges, and an experience entirely in English.
It's the kind of experience that works just as well for a curious person discovering everything as it does for a birthday trip — and it's usually the story that people really tell their friends once they are back home.
Think about it before you arrive
The best wine tasting workshops in Dijon are intentionally limited in the number of participants, which means they fill up quickly — especially in high season, and especially during the evening slots that couples prefer. If a wine tasting is on your list (and it should be), book before your arrival rather than hoping for a last-minute spot.
Ready to discover Burgundy as it should be? Book your tasting workshop with Vino Dilectio and transform an evening in Dijon into one that you will still talk about years later.