Sunday, September 22, 2019

Day 22: Sun 22 Sep – Dijon

Rain was predicted for this morning, the only day our bikes just happen to be outside, but it didn’t eventuate until 1615h, five minutes after we arrived back in our room. 11 to 23 deg, some clouds but mostly sunny.

Walk: 15km

It’s marvellous how far you can go when you’re just wandering, we ended up clocking about 15 km today. Sometimes it seemed like we were going around in circles, but you had to do that to cover all the highlights of this interesting city. The size of the buildings is what strikes me, especially the stuff from around the 16 - 18th century. The Dukes made quite an impact on the architecture of Dijon and left some wonderful buildings that have since been turned into fantastic public service space. So, we might say they went well over the top when they built their palaces, probably at the expense of their poor people, but look what the country and the people have to this day. Hopefully the government can afford the maintenance bill.

I really enjoyed today, just wandering slowly around, trying to see everything in one day. I know I will be back, so I don’t mind if I missed something. The Cathedral was quite special, as were the other churches, but that’s my “thing”. Most were immaculately maintained and beautifully kept, both inside and out, a real credit to the congregations involved.

I found it difficult sometimes to capture the true essence of the particularly large buildings on my phone camera but like I have said before I’ll keep trying.

A long but very pleasing day in Dijon. After a rest and freshen up we headed out in the rain to find dinner. Settled for Indian/Paki only 120m up the road, it was rather ordinary, but it filled the gap. They need to buy an Indian recipe book and follow it because they don’t have a clue about cooking Indian at the moment. Slept very well though so that’s a bonus.

The cute little owl (Dijon's symbol) we followed today

Law Court of a former Parliament of Burgundy that was dissolved in 1790

Medieval Dijon

Quiet streets early Sunday morning in Dijon

Mornos, well I am in France

Dijon Cathedral

Dijon Cathedral

Dijon Cathedral

Dijon Cathedral

Darcy Place triumph arch


Darcy Square gardens

Now that is a Post Office

A rather fancy looking apartment block

Maillard Mansion, built for the Mayor of Dijon in 1560

Maillard Mansion

Dukes Palace started in the 3rd Century and rebuilt in the 14th and 15th Centuries. Now the Town Hall and Council Chambers.

Dukes Palace

Dukes Palace

The Grand Theater

Napoleon at the Rude Museum

Archeology site at the old St Etienne Church

Portico over the entrance to St Michael Church

St Michael Church

St Michael Church

Fine Arts Museum

Inside Notre Dame

Quiet streets of Dijon

Dijon

Old and new Dijon

Canal port

Botanical Gardens Dijon

Natural History Museum Botanical Gardens Dijon

Natural History Museum Botanical Gardens Dijon

An impressive display of taxidermy

Natural History Museum Botanical Gardens Dijon

Natural History Museum Botanical Gardens Dijon

The one on the right is not stuffed, not yet anyway!



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