See Dijon, France, through the eyes of an American woman who had the privilege to call it 'Home' |
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Beyond Dijon
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Beyond Dijon: things to do outside of Dijon
Will you have use of a car during your stay? If so, you're in luck - you can go any direction and find something to see that has the potential to knock your socks off! Driving in France is painless, and if you are here for less than 90 days, France does not require an international driver's license. But before you rent, verify that the company does not require anything from you that you can't produce when you pick up your car.
I tend to stay closer to Dijon, but some of my favorite places are in the Auxois region of Burgundy. Below, some highlights from three regions.
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Seine and the Tilles: Salives - see a castle from the year 1000, a wash house, a spring beneath the church and a great walk along the ramparts Grancey-le-Chateau, a wonderful fortified village around its 13th century collegiate church. Ramparts illuminated all year. Saint-Seine-l'Abbaye - a pretty little town huddled around its gothic abbey church (and find the Source de la Seine to dip your feet in for good luck!) Is-sur-Tille - during the summer you can take a tourist train that runs through a pine forest. Areas for playing 'boules' all year long! Cote and the Hautes Cotes des Nuits: La Route des Grands Crus - The approximately 60-kilometre route runs along the foot of the Côte d'Or, from Dijon in the north to Santenay in the south. 37 villages in all (see map below), many of which have picturesque churches. The road is paved and well-marked, albeit very winding and narrow in spots. Adds to the adventure. Every village will inspire you. The largest cities are Dijon & Beaune. BEAUNE - Visit the Fallot mustard mill, the last family-owned Moutarderie in Burgundy. The 19th century method of making mustard is brought to life through an interactive tour. 03 80 26 21 30. And of course there are MANY places to have a degustation in Beaune - the famous Marche aux Vins for one. And there is the Hospice de Beaune...but so much is written about Beaune I will stop here. PULIGNY-MONTRACHET - Take a tasting lunch. Olivier Leflaive in Puligny-Montrachet offers a tasting lunch for 40 Euros (priced 11/08). Taste among 13 different crus, red and white: Bourgogne Blanc, Rully, St. Aubin, Shassagne-Montrachet, Meursalut, Volnay, Pommard... They are open M-Saturday from February until the end of December. Reservations phone 03 80 21 37 65 Auxois and the Morvan: Marmagne, near Montbard - see the Abbey de Fontenay, one of the finest of all Cistercian abbeys and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Vercingetorix at Alisa-Sainte-Reine - see the site of the famous battle with Julius Caesar in 52 BC, and the archaeological digs Semur-en-Auxois, an
authentic medieval town located in a loop of the river Armancon.
Enjoy its gothic collegiate church, museum, tower of the Orle d'Or
and ramparts. During the summer there is a train ride. Chateauneuf-en-Auxois, classed as one of the loveliest villages in France. Awesome medieval castle, lots of flowers! Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, another loveliest village, home of the famous anis candies made in the old abbey crypt. The film, 'Chocolat' was filmed here - you will recognize the church. |
Additionally, all photos on this site are the property of Lisa Hovis. They cannot be reproduced, copied, altered, sold, or used in any way without written permission.