Burgundy: Exploring the Cultural Heritage of Dijon

We originally had plans for another day trip, but since Dijon's handful of museums are free, we stayed in town to explore. The tourist office has conveniently strung together all the highlights with Le Parcours de la Chouette (The Owl Trail) which they sell for 3.5 euros (app or book). We took the hardcopy conveniently furnished by our apartment host and went to town. We were very glad we did. Dijon has cultural heritage!

Our apartment was close to the modern station where trains, buses, and trams all meet, and Darcy Gardens.






The cultural highlights of Dijon are the Ducal Tombs (late 1400's), now in the Musée des Beaux-Arts, and the Well of Moses (early 1400's) at the site of the former Carthusian monastery of Champmol. These monumental polychrome sculptures are the work of the Dutch sculptor Clus Sluter and those who followed in his tradition.

First the Ducal tombs of Philip the Bold, his son John the Fearless and John's wife Margaret.






The Mourners in niches around the tombs


The more-than-amazing monumental statues of the Well of Moses have stood outside for over 700 years - roofed for the last 400. In addition to Moses, the other prophets are Daniel, David, Isaiah, Jerimiah, and Zechariah. Wow!

Prophets David (center), Jerimiah (right) and Moses (left).

<>Prophets Isaiah (left) and Moses (r).


Prophets Zechariah (center) and Jeremiah (left


Some highlights from the "Owl Trail" walking tour. First, Porte Guillaume.


The Telephones * Postes * Telegraphes Building.


the Central Market Hall.


Sempervirens (Evergreen), 2013 by Gloria Friedman.


The Bareuzai wine tradition.


Sun-Ling rubs The Owl for Good Luck


Some highlights from the Beaux-Arts Musuem with 50 rooms in chronoogical order = nice.
















Musée Archeologique. First a Nativity Scene from the Realism School.;-)