Dijon

We wandered back to the brasserie where we had enjoyed coffee, and decided their plat du jour sounded very tasty, roast chicken, vegetables and frites. We then plumped for a chocolate fondant for dessert. It was not only a delicious lunch it was actually a very timely lunch, as whilst we were in there it chucked it down with rain.

Never ones to be deterred by a bit of rain though, we wrapped up and ventured out to explore Dijon. Brian and I had visited Dijon with Mum and Dad about 14 years ago, we had had a beautiful holiday touring around Burgundy with them, and I remember we had popped into Dijon on our way heading back north. Since then it has been pedestrianised around the centre, which has worked really well.

We also strolled through the old part of the city, with it’s beautiful cobbled streets, glistening as the sun was now starting to push through the clouds, and there was a glimmer of blue sky. The beautiful tiled rooftops you can see at the end of the street are a very traditional theme across Burgundy.

There is a beautiful crescent, the main square in front of the Mairie building, which reminded us of some of the crescents in Bath, especially with the light coloured stone used to build with, and the pillars supporting a capita. I’m looking forward on a warm day to come back and sit and enjoy a drink or lunch here whilst soaking up the architecture. It was rather spectacular, and this picture does not do it justice, but a good memory jogger to return.

Whilst exploring the old part of the city, we stumbled across a beautiful old church – the church of Notre Dame (our lady). It was built in the 13th century, and displays some very typical gothic architecture. At the front there are 51 grotesque gargoyles. However, these are not functioning water spouts, but purely decorative. That’s a relief as I think any major downpour and you’d get soaked going to church. The ones which cover the sides are just as grotesque but do function. The church is steeped in history, and inside next to the altar is a wooden statue – Notre-Dame de Bon-Espoir (Our Lady of Good Hope). She dates back to the 11th or 12th century, and is believed to be one of the oldest statues of the Virgin in France. The church itself is beautiful, with an amazing vaulted ceiling, so calm and serene. On one side of the church is a beautiful statue of Joan of Arc, a story I want to learn more about, but that will be another day.