Eat. See. Do: Dijon, France

Dijon is a rather small city with around 155,000 inhabitants. It has plenty to offer, especially during the summer tourist months. In the off-season, things are a bit slower. Either time is a good time to visit, depending on your taste. It should be noted that if you only have a couple of days to spend in Dijon, you should avoid Sunday and Monday, particularly during the off-season. Many shops and restaurants will be closed.

You’ll find that the city is small enough to see in a couple of days. It is quite concentrated and walkable. On the other hand, there is excellent public transportation if you want to give your feet a break. A rental car will not be necessary unless you intend to take some day trips to the nearby vineyards or to the quaint town of Beaune.

Dijon and the region are well-known for wine and, of course, mustard. However, that’s only part of the culinary story. This area is rich with traditional and emblematic dishes… beef bourgogne and coq au vin, for example.

There are many options for foodies, but be sure to plan you stay in Dijon so that the interior market at Les Halles is open while you are there. Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings are good, as well as Saturday all day… with the adjacent streets bustling with vendor stalls. Inside Les Halles you will find an overwhelming amount of deliciousness. This is one of the best-known markets in France, and for good reason.

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Dijon is the Place Darcy pedestrian-only street. It leads from Place de la Libération to Jardin Darcy. Almost every restaurant on this beautiful cobblestone street (and the adjoining streets) has tables outside for their diners, so they can enjoy the night air and people watch as they eat. You will also find just about every kind of boutique you could want. The wide pedestrian street is a hub of activity and a good place to pass an afternoon.