in the city of Dijon, capital of the Côte d’Or department, in east-central France

 Burgundy is a peaceful, and a traditional rural region in the heart of France. It has a rich past, a strategic location, and a naturally advantageous setting, both of which have significantly contributed to its global reputation for fine wines, gastronomy, and architectural wealth.

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(in east-central France) The city of Dijon, capital of the Côte d’Or department and of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, is found some 203 miles (~326 kilometers) southeast of Paris at the confluence of the Ouche and Suzon rivers. At the foot of the Côte d’Or hills to its west and near a plain of fertile vineyards, the city has many old buildings, some dating back to the 15th century. It has always been a regional transportation hub and was known in the 9th century as Castrum Divionense. In 1015 Robert I, duke of Burgundy, chose it as the capital for his newly founded duchy, but only with the second ducal dynasty (of Valois from 1364–1477) did the city begin to flourish. Musicians, artists, and architects were attracted here by the patronage of the ducal court. The city retained its role as a provincial capital after the duchy of Burgundy had been annexed by Louis XI of France in 1477, and the Burgundy Parliament met there regularly. Dijon was most prosperous in the 18th century, when it was also an intellectual center of France.

+ Dijon remains a major communications center today, a role reinforced by the development of the French motorway network, which has greatly improved accessibility. Most employment is in service activities, reflecting the city’s importance as an administrative, commercial, and tourist center. Dijon’s rich architectural heritage, its museums, its staging of festivals and events, and its facilities for conferences and exhibitions have contributed to the growth of tourism. Originally favored by decentralization during the 1960s, the city now features a diversified industrial structure; industries include food products, pharmaceuticals, electronics and electrical equipment, vehicle components, plastics, and optical instruments. Celebrated Dijon food products are mustard, gingerbread, and vinegar; chocolate and liqueurs are also produced.

+ The buildings of the palace of the dukes of Burgundy (pictured here) are located in the center of the old city. The original medieval palace was largely rebuilt and extended in the 17th and 18th centuries. The palace is now the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) and contains the Musée des Beaux Arts. The tombs of Philip the Bold and John the Fearless, both dukes of Burgundy, are found here. A psychiatric hospital now stands on the site of the Chartreuse de Champmol, a Carthusian monastery founded by Philip the Bold in 1383, but the doorway of the chapel and other fine vestiges remain from the original building. (This monumental palace overlooks Place de la Libération, the magnificent central square of the historic center of Dijon, dating from 1686.)