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A Short Break in Dijon Take a short break by train to Dijon from London or Brussels on Eurostar – there’s a wealth of things to explore from the Dukes of Bourgogne to the nightlife in this university town. If you are looking for a few days away, off the well-trodden low-cost airline routes, Dijon has much to offer. It is not a tourist destination that instantly springs to mind, but this lovely old town, the regional capital of Burgundy, has remained unchanged. It is steeped in tradition and stylish French chic. Here you will find some of the best gastronomy in Europe, sample fine wines, visit lovely half-timbered buildings dating back to the glorious days of the Dukes of Bourgogne, and soak up the lively atmosphere in the streets and the Saturday market. Get away from it all, even if only for a couple of days. A no-fuss way to travel to Burgundy is to take the Eurostar to Lille and then connect with the TGV fast train to Dijon, total journey time – 5½hrs. Leaving London St. Pancras Eurostar terminus early afternoon, you are in Dijon in time for a late supper. The town centre is compact so everything is within strolling distance. From Brussels the journey time is 4½hrs. Of course there are security checks, but in comparison with flying, this is a comfortable, relaxed experience, and it's eco-friendly too. For accommodation, we would recommend the Hotel Philippe le Bon in Rue Ste.Anne, a friendly three star hotel with 32 rooms in a quiet street, close to the old part of town. A double room with en-suite facilities starts from 94€, with breakfast 12€ per person.. The restaurant, Les Oenophiles, is on the far side of the courtyard garden. With lawn and trees, this is a lovely oasis in the middle of town to relax and enjoy meals al fresco on a sunny day. Close to the hotel in Place Emile Zola and Rue Berbisey is the student quarter which comes to life at night and has a selection of international restaurants. Talking of nightlife, there's Le Chat Noir, in Garibaldi Street, to name but one. The market building, Les Halles, dates back to 1875 and is right in the centre of the town. Friday, Saturday and Tuesday mornings are market days with vendors’ stalls all around the adjoining streets. Who could resist the array of food, beautifully displayed as only the French know how. Described as the ‘haute couture of food products’ there are cheeses, patés, spices and sun-dried tomatoes, olives, fresh bread, delectable patisserie, seasonal fruit and vegetables, oysters, mussels and crabs, mushrooms in all shapes and sizes, not to mention of course, mustard … Before you know it, you will have to yield to temptation. As one of the stallholders says, ‘here we have time to guide the client. We can tell them, for example, which variety of potato is best for a gratin. We are not a self-service!’ A wander into the old quarter of town around the Palais du Ducs is a must. There are lovely old half-timbered buildings, stylish boutiques and coffee shops. Views from the Tour Philippe le Bon over the tiled roof tops and spires are particularly good. Further information from one of the two tourist offices – at the Palais itself or Place Darcy. Within the Palais du Ducs is the Musée des Beaux Arts housing the most significant collection of paintings outside Paris (closed Tuesdays). The shops in Dijon are chic. Head for the Rue de la Liberté, Rue du Bourg and Rue Bossuet; take home pain d'epice from Mulot and Petitjean, fresh mustard from Amora, and Crème de Cassis for kir apéritifs to remind you of your visit. If you would like to go on wine tasting tour while visiting Dijon, the Côte d’Or lies to the south, a fifteen minute drive outside the town. A visit to Gevrey Chambertin and the route of the Grands Crus can be arranged during your visit. The finer details London St. Pancras
departure 14.34 local time, arriving Lille 16.54 local time.
Time for a coffee, then Lille to Dijon TGV departs 18.29, arriving
at 21.19. Brussels
departure time 17.01 arriving Lille 17.38. (Sunday return time varies slightly – departing Dijon at 07.44, arriving Lille at 10.27 Eurostar departs 12.24. arriving Brussels at 13.03) These trains are
direct, otherwise it means going via Paris.
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