Boy, aren't you lucky! Dijon has an excellent transportation system. As does the entire country, as you may know. I've had the pleasure of riding on regular trains, fast trains, new trains, old trains, as well as busses, and can say that I always got to my destination. On time, no less! And the prices? Incredibily reasonable. Dijon has its gare (train station) on the western side of the city. From the gare you can pick up a taxi very easily, right outside the entrance at the taxi stand in the center island, or you can catch a bus. Read on for more information on getting to Dijon, and traveling in and around Dijon once you arrive.

Getting to Dijon:

Dijon is centrally located, not only in France, but also in Europe, making travelling quite easy and affordable. Trains depart frequently for Paris (only 1 hour 40 minutes away) as well as many other destinations (check on the SNCF website). Flights can be taken directly from Dijon with Air France, but for cheaper and more flexible options it's best to take the train to airports in Lyon or Paris (Charles de Gaulle/Roissy airport or Orly airport depending on your destination).

Traveling around Europe:

Like train travel? With Eurolines you can travel cheaply from Dijon to many popular destinations throughout Europe. If you plan to travel by train more than a once or twice, and you are younger than 25, purchase a Carte 12-25, which can be purchased on-line or at any train station in France for 44 Euros. This card entitles people between the ages of 12-25 to a 50% discount on almost all trains throughout France, and it applies to many international destinations as well. You will need to supply a passport sized photo when purchasing the card. If you do not purchase this card and you are still in the 12-25 age group you will still receive a 25% discount when travelling within France.

Railway Station:
SNCF - 21 Cour de la Gare - 21000 Dijon - Tel: +33 (0)3 80 40 19 00 - www.sncf.com

Traveling in and around Dijon:

Local Bus Information:
Divia - Place Grangier - 21000 Dijon - Tel. +33 (0)3 80 30 60 90 - www.divia.fr
HOURS: Monday-Friday 7:30 to 6:45 pm, Saturday 8:30 - 6:30

Buses run from 5h35 to 0h30 (5:35 am to 12:30 am). Weekly tickets are available if you need to take the bus on a daily basis for 9,30 € (carte hebdomadaire). Or you can purchase a 10 ride pass for 7,80€. Single trip tickets cost 1€, and 24-hour passes cost 3,30€. When you buy your ticket from the driver, you need to time/date stamp it. Put it in one of the orange stands near the driver, or by one of the other doors. You'll see it automatically records the time of the punch; you have an hour from that time to ride to your hearts content. Of course, if you don't have alot of lugguge, WALK! It's only 5 minutes to place Darcy. You can find a free bus map at the DIVIA (bus company) stand on place Grangier near the huge post office.

Taxi Information:
Taxi Cour Gare: +33(0)3 80 41 41 12
Taxi Perrey: Tel: +33 (0)3 80 61 45 45
Taxis TMB SARL: Tel: +33 (0) 6 98 85 18 88
www.taxis-de-france.com

Regional Bus Information: TRANSCO, 21 cours de la Gare www.cg21.fr 03 80 442 11 00. Six trains to Beaune daily for 6,30Euros!

Car Rental: At the Gare - from 60 Euros/day. Hertz 03 80 53 14 00 National 03 80 53 09 08. Americans staying in France less than 90 days do not HAVE to get an international driver's license in order to drive a car as long as you have a valid US driver's license. That said, I'm not sure if these companies make it *their* policy to follow the government's policy...so when you rent a car make sure they will hand over the keys without one before you pay! I have noticed that rental prices are much higher if you reside in the US than if you are a French resident. If you are able to rent a car in France, you might book on-line to get a better price.

Bike Rental: At the tourist office. 12 Euros/1/2 day 18 Euros full day, 50 Euros for 3 days. You can also use the new Velodi bikes! Purchase your abonnement 'formule liberte' on-line for 1 Euro, and for 7 days you can ride as you'd like for 0,50 Euros/1/2 hour up to 2 hours. Great for quick bike riding around centre ville with 40 pick-up and drop-off stations!

How to find PLACE DARCY from the GARE in Dijon: Take the street "Avenue Marechal Foch" that you'll run smack dab into if you follow the gare island out to the street. On the way, notice the tourism office you pass. Stop in for loads of free stuff. Great maps, too. You'll also walk by the awesome park Darcy. Stop in to rest your weary feet and enjoy the fountain under a shady tree. You made it!

How to find CENTRE VILLE bus from the GARE in Dijon: When you walk away from the gare, you want to hang a right onto rue Dr A Remy. You'll walk by the bus stop that takes you away from the city. Keep going. At the light, you'll go left onto Blvd de Sevigne. On the right hand side of the street, you'll see the bus stop up ahead. That's where you jump on any bus. They all drop off at Place Darcy. From there, go to the DIVIA office to get a bus map. The gare also has a new stop right at the gare, next to the taxi stand. You can catch the L5 to campus, the L7 to Toison d'Or (the mall), or the 15 if you want to check out the Marsannay Chateau.

How to find the DIVIA office from place DARCY in Dijon: Walk past the huge arch on rue de la Liberte (the main shopping drag). Walk to rue du CHATEAU/rue du CHAPEAU ROUGE(different names for different sides of rue de la Liberte). Turn left. At the end of the block on the right, you'll see Hotel IBIS. Cross the street, and you're standing in place GRANGIER. You're there! The ugly modern DIVIA office is right in front of you on the center island. For maps, go in the office door to the left of the ticket windows. For tickets, just walk up to a window. When you leave the way you came in, and look back over your right shoulder you'll see the huge post office. See it?! If you need stamps, go now!

How to get a TAXI at the GARE in Dijon: Go out the gare doors. Walk across the street without getting hit by a car. In the center island, you'll see a taxi line. Get in line and the next taxi will come to you. You do not go to the taxi. Drivers seem to be honest, but it is expensive to ride. So if you can manage, the dollar bus ride is a great buy.

Now, after all this travelling I'm sure you're tired and thirsty. Stop at one of the outdoor cafés downtown and enjoy a cold Orangina. Nothing like it on a beautiful summer day. If it's cold, try a chocolat or vin chaud. Yum!