In the city of Dijon, capital of the Côte d’Or département, east-central France

 “I had come to the conclusion that I must really be French, only no one had ever informed me of this fact. I loved the people, the food, the lay of the land, the civilized atmosphere, and the generous pace of life.” -- Julia Child

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(in east-central France) The city of Dijon, capital of the Côte d’Or département and of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté région, is 203 miles (~326 km) southeast of Paris by road and lies at the confluence of the Ouche and Suzon rivers. Situated at the foot of the Côte d’Or hills to its west and near a plain of fertile vineyards, the city has outstanding old buildings, some dating back to the 15th century. Dijon has always been a 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 (that of Valois) did the city flourish. Musicians, artists, and architects were drawn here by the patronage of the ducal court. The city maintained its importance as a provincial capital after the duchy of Burgundy had been annexed by Louis XI of France in 1477, and the Burgundy Parliament sat here regularly. The city has been a diocese since 1731. Dijon was most prosperous in the 18th century, when it was also an intellectual center of France. The coming of the railways in 1851 brought it new wealth and population growth.

+ Dijon is still a major communications center, a role reinforced by the development of the French motorway network, which has greatly improved accessibility. The city's rich architectural heritage, its museums, its staging of festivals and events, and its facilities for conferences and exhibitions all explain the growth of tourism. The city has had a university since 1722. Celebrated Dijon food products are mustard, vinegar, and gingerbread; chocolate and liqueurs are also made.

+ With its compact and pedestrian-friendly center, lively street scene and aesthetically pleasing ensemble of half-timbered houses and polychrome tile roofs, Dijon is one of France's most appealing cities. Filled with elegant medieval and Renaissance buildings that hark back to the city's 14th- and 15th-century heyday as the capital of the Duchy of Burgundy, the historic center is wonderful for strolling, especially if you like to leaven your cultural enrichment with excellent food, fine wine, and shopping. As the ancient capital of the Burgundy province, Dijon remains an architecturally rich city offering far more than its famous mustard. In its restored medieval core, you will discover one of France's oldest museums, the Musee des Beaux-Arts, as well as the elegant Palace of the Dukes and the opulent 1614 mansion Hotel de Vogue. Take a stroll through the lime and chestnut-lined paths of Cours du Parc, a green space dating to 1671 -- while pairing the region's rich history with its gastronomic delights.

+ This monumental 18th-century arch serves as the western gateway into Dijon's medieval center: