Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy, Dijon, Guida per visitatori e cosa fare nei dintorni

The Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy is the grand former ducal residence in the centre of Dijon, now home to the Town Hall and the Musée des Beaux-Arts. It recalls the age when the dukes of Burgundy ranked among the most powerful rulers in Europe, and its tall tower still shapes the city skyline.

The story behind it

Dijon was the capital of the dukes of Burgundy, and from the later 14th century Philippe le Hardi had the palace rebuilt as the seat of his court. Later dukes kept adding to it. Philippe le Bon raised the tower that still carries his name, the Tour Philippe le Bon, which stands about 46 metres high and looks over the rooftops.

In the 17th century the palace was remodelled to plans linked to Jules Hardouin-Mansart, the architect associated with Versailles. The classical wings that frame the Place de la Libération come from this campaign. Today the building is shared between the city administration and the museum, which preserves parts of the medieval palace, including the ducal kitchens and the tombs of two dukes.

What to look for

• The Tour Philippe le Bon rises above the palace, and it is the best landmark for finding your way around the old town.
• The classical facade that curves around the Place de la Libération shows the 17th century rebuilding in clean, measured lines.
• The contrast between the plain medieval tower and the formal classical wings tells you how the palace changed over the centuries.
• Inside the museum, look for the ducal kitchens and the tombs of the dukes, which keep the medieval palace alive.

Tips for your visit

• Allow 20 to 30 minutes to walk around the square and the facade, and a good deal longer if you also go into the Musée des Beaux-Arts.
• Late afternoon light is kind to the stone of the facade, and the square is calmer outside the middle of the day.
• The Town Hall and museum are working buildings, so check current opening hours before you plan to go in.
• Climbing the tower is not always possible, so ask the Dijon tourist office about current visits. The old town streets and the church of Notre-Dame are a short walk away.

See it on a quest

Historical Dijon: A Delivery Through Time takes you to the palace on foot as one stop of a longer route through the historic centre. The app tells you about each place as you reach it, and you solve a puzzle on the spot, so you look closely at the facade and the square instead of just passing through. One ticket covers the whole group, and you can start whenever you like, with no guide and no set departure time.