Dijon

Dijon
This article is about the French city. For other uses, see Dijon (disambiguation).

Dijon
Place Darcy.JPG
Coat of arms of Dijon
Dijon is located in France
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Dijon
Administration
Country France
Region Burgundy
Department Côte-d'Or
Arrondissement Dijon
Intercommunality Dijon
Mayor François Rebsamen
(2008–2014)
Statistics
Elevation 220–410 m (720–1,350 ft)
(avg. 245 m/804 ft)
Land area1 40.41 km2 (15.60 sq mi)
Population2 151,576  (2008)
 - Density 3,751 /km2 (9,720 /sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 21231/ 21000
Website http://www.dijon.fr/
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Coordinates: 47°17′26″N 5°02′34″E / 47.2906°N 5.0428°E / 47.2906; 5.0428

Dijon (French pronunciation: [diʒɔ̃] ( listen)) is a city in eastern France, the capital of the Côte-d'Or département and of the Burgundy region.

Dijon is the historical capital of the region of Burgundy. Population (2008): 151,576 within the city limits; 250,516 (2007) for the greater Dijon area.

Contents

History

Dijon began as a Roman settlement called Divio, located on the road from Lyon to Paris. Saint Benignus, the city's patron saint, is said to have introduced Christianity to the area before being martyred.

Capital of the Duchy of Burgundy

This province was home to the Dukes of Burgundy from the early 11th until the late 15th centuries and Dijon was a place of tremendous wealth and power and one of the great European centres of art, learning and science. The Duchy of Burgundy was a key in the transformation of medieval times toward early modern Europe.

20th century

It was occupied by Nazi Germany between June 1940 and 12 September 1944, when it was liberated by joint French/UK/US forces.[1]

Climate

Climate data for Dijon
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 4.2
(39.6)		 7.0
(44.6)		 10.9
(51.6)		 14.7
(58.5)		 18.7
(65.7)		 22.4
(72.3)		 25.3
(77.5)		 24.5
(76.1)		 21.3
(70.3)		 15.5
(59.9)		 8.6
(47.5)		 4.8
(40.6)		 14.83
(58.69)
Average low °C (°F) −1
(30.2)		 0.1
(32.2)		 2.2
(36.0)		 5.0
(41.0)		 8.7
(47.7)		 12.0
(53.6)		 14.1
(57.4)		 13.7
(56.7)		 10.9
(51.6)		 7.2
(45.0)		 2.5
(36.5)		 −0.2
(31.6)		 6.27
(43.28)
Precipitation mm (inches) 59.2
(2.331)		 52.5
(2.067)		 52.8
(2.079)		 52.2
(2.055)		 86.3
(3.398)		 62.4
(2.457)		 51.0
(2.008)		 65.4
(2.575)		 66.6
(2.622)		 57.6
(2.268)		 64.2
(2.528)		 62.0
(2.441)		 732.2
(28.827)
Avg. precipitation days 11.1 9.3 10.5 9.6 11.7 9.2 7.4 8.3 7.9 8.7 10.5 10.9 115.1
Sunshine hours 52.7 89.6 139.5 177.0 204.6 234.0 266.6 229.4 195.0 120.9 69.0 52.7 1,831
Source: HKO

Population

Historical population of Dijon
1793 1800 1806 1821 1831 1836 1841 1846 1851 1856
20,760 18,888 22,026 22,397 25,352 24,817 26,184 27,543 32,253 33,493
1861 1866 1872 1876 1881 1886 1891 1896 1901 1906
37,074 39,193 42,573 47,939 55,453 60,855 65,428 67,736 71,326 74,113
1911 1921 1926 1931 1936 1946 1954 1962 1968
76,847 78,578 83,815 90,869 96,257 100,664 112,844 135,694 145,357
1975 1982 1990 1999 2008
151,705 140,942 146,703 150,138 151,576
Porte Guillaume (Guillaume Door), Place Darcy (Darcy Square), in the center of Dijon.

Sights

Dijon boasts a large number of churches, notably Notre Dame de Dijon, St. Philibert, St. Michel, Dijon Cathedral, the crypt of which, dedicated to Saint Benignus, dates from 1,000 years ago. The city has retained varied architectural styles from many of the main periods of the past millennium, including Capetian, Gothic and Renaissance. Many still-inhabited town houses in the city's central district date from the 18th century and earlier.

Cathédrale St Bénigne.

Dijon architecture is distinguished by, among other things, toits bourguignons (Burgundian polychrome roofs) made of tiles glazed in terracotta, green, yellow and black and arranged in eye-catching geometric patterns.

Dijon was largely spared the destruction of wars such as the 1870 Franco-Prussian War and the Second World War, despite the city being occupied. Therefore, many of the old buildings such as the half-timbered houses dating from the 12th to the 15th centuries (found mainly in the city's core district) are undamaged, at least by organized violence.

Dijon is home to many museums, including the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon in part of the Ducal Palace (see below). It contains, among other things, ducal kitchens dating back to the mid-15th century, and a substantial collection of European painting from Roman times through contemporary art.

Among the more popular sights is the Ducal Palace, the Palais des Ducs et des États de Bourgogne or "Palace of the Dukes and the States of Burgundy" (47°19′19″N 5°2′29″E / 47.32194°N 5.04139°E / 47.32194; 5.04139), which includes one of only a few remaining examples of the Capetian period in the region.

The church of Notre Dame is famous for both its art and architecture. Popular legend has it that one of its stone relief sculptures, an owl (la chouette) is a good-luck charm: visitors to the church touch the owl with their left hands to make a wish. (The current carving was restored after it was damaged by vandalism in the night of 5 and 6 January 2001).

Transport

Dijon and suburbs

Dijon is located approximately 300 km (190 mi) southeast of Paris, which takes about three hours by car along the motorways A38 and A6. The A31 provides connections to Nancy, Lille and Lyon. The A39 connects Dijon with Bourg-en-Bresse and Geneva, the A36 with Mulhouse and Basel.

The Gare de Dijon-Ville is the main railway station, providing connection in one hour and 40 minutes by the TGV high-speed train (LGV Sud-Est) to Paris-Gare de Lyon. For comparison, Lyon is 180 km (110 mi) away and two hours distant – although there is no high-speed train link between both cities. Nice takes about six hours by TGV and Strasbourg about three hours at regular train speed. Lausanne in Switzerland is less than 150 km (93 mi) away or two hours by train. Several regional trains of TER Bourgogne depart from the station.

A new tram network is under construction in Dijon; it is expected to open in 2012.[2]

Sport

To the northwest of Dijon, the race track of Dijon-Prenois hosts various motor sport events. It hosted the Formula 1 French Grand Prix on five occasions from 1974 to 1984.

Dijon is home to Dijon FCO, a Football team in Ligue 1 .Dijon has its own basketball club (Pro A), JDA Dijon Basket.

Dijon is home to the Dijon Ducs ice hockey team, who play in the Magnus League.[3]

Culture

Dijon holds its International and Gastronomic Fair every year in autumn. With over 500 exhibitors and 200,000 visitors every year, it is one of the ten most important fairs in France. Dijon is also home, every three years, to the international flower show Florissimo.

Dijon has numerous museums such as the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon, the Musée Archéologique, the Musée de la Vie Bourguignonne, the Musée d'Art Sacré, and the Musée Magnin. It also contains approximately 700 hectares of parks and green space, including the Jardin botanique de l'Arquebuse.

Apart from the numerous bars, which sometimes have live bands, some popular music venues in Dijon are : Le zenith de Dijon, La Vapeur and l'Atheneum.

Colleges and universities

Food and drink

Mustard

A Dijon mustard.

Dijon is famous for its mustard: the term Dijon mustard (moutarde de Dijon) designates a method of making a particularly strong mustard relish. This is not necessarily produced near Dijon, as the term is regarded as genericized under European Union law, so that it cannot be registered for protected designation of origin status.[4] Most Dijon mustard (brands such as Amora or Maille) is produced industrially and over 90% of mustard seed used in local production is imported, mainly from Canada. In 2008, Unilever closed its Amora mustard factory in Dijon. Dijon mustard shops also feature exotic or unusually-flavored mustard (fruit-flavoured, for example), often sold in decorative hand-painted faience (china) pots.

Wine and Liqueurs

As the capital of the Burgundy region, Dijon reigns over some of the best wine country in the world. Many superb vineyards producing vins d'appellation contrôlée, such as Vosne-Romanée and Gevrey-Chambertin, are within 20 minutes of the city center. The town's university boasts a renowned oenology institute. The road from Santenay to Dijon, known as the route des Grands Crus, passes through an idyllic countryside of vineyards, rivers, villages, forests, and 12th century churches.

The city is also well known for its crème de cassis, or blackcurrant liqueur, used in the drink known as "Kir", a mixture of white wine, especially Bourgogne aligoté, with blackcurrant liqueur, named after former mayor of Dijon canon Félix Kir.

Personalities

Photo gallery

  • Some of the beautiful roof work seen throughout Dijon

  • The false gargoyles on Notre Dame de Dijon

  • Porte Guillaume (Guillaume Gate) on Darcy Square

  • Rue de la Liberté (Freedom Street)

  • Carrefour du Miroir, Rue de la Libérté (Mirror's Crossroads)

  • Boutique de la moutarde Maille (Mustard shop of the Maille brand)

  • Place François Rude (François Rude Square)

  • Typical street in the old town-centre

  • Place de la Libération (Liberation Square)

  • Palais des ducs de Bourgogne (Dukes of Burgundy's Palace)

  • Cathedral St. Begnine

  • Saint-Michel Church

  • The Market in Dijon designed by Gustave Eiffel (who also designed the Eiffel Tower)

  • La Chouette ("The Owl") at Notre Dame de Dijon (rub it for goodluck)

  • Place Darcy during a light snow

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in France

Twin towns – sister cities

Dijon is twinned with:

See also

References

  1. ^ "SAS – Special Air Service – WWII". Sasregiment.org.uk. http://www.sasregiment.org.uk/ww2.html. Retrieved 5 May 2009. 
  2. ^ "Railway Gazette: Pioneering PPP energises Dijon tram". http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/pioneering-ppp-energises-dijon-tram.html. Retrieved 22 July 2010. 
  3. ^ Dijon Hockey Club. "Duc's Official Website" (in French). http://www.dhc.reseau-concept.net/. Retrieved 1 October 2010. 
  4. ^ "SCADPlus: Protection of Geographical Indications and Designations of Origin". Europa (web portal). http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l66044.htm. Retrieved 5 May 2009. 
  5. ^ "Opole Official Website – Twin Towns". Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Flag of Poland.svg (in English and Polish) 2007–2009 Urząd Miasta Opola. http://www.opole.pl/miasto/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=20&Itemid=108. Retrieved 18 June 2009. 
  6. ^ "Official portal of City of Skopje – Skopje Sister Cities". City of Skopje. 2006–2009. http://www.skopje.gov.mk/EN/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=69. Retrieved 14 July 2009. 
  7. ^ Friendly relationship at Official website of Volgograd
  8. ^ "Vennskapsbyer". www.visitvolgograd.info. http://www.visitvolgograd.info/Vennskapsbyer.htm. Retrieved 5 January 2010. 

External links

v · d · ePrefectures of the regions of France
Metropolitan France
Overseas regions

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Dijon — Dijon …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Dijon — • Diocese comprising the entire department of Côte d Or and is a suffragan of Lyons Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Dijon     Dijon      …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Dijon — Escudo …   Wikipedia Español

  • DIJON — DIJON, capital of Côte d Or department, E. central France. The first explicit evidence concerning the Jews there dates from 1196 when the Duke of Burgundy placed the Jews of Dijon under the jurisdiction of the commune, which he authorized to… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • DIJON — DIJ Le site primitif de Dijon est proche du confluent de deux rivières, le Suzon et l’Ouche, venant des plateaux de calcaire jurassique qui dominent à l’ouest les plaines de la Saône. Un habitat urbain préexistait à la construction (attribuée à… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Dijon —   [di ʒɔ̃], Hauptstadt der Region Burgund und des Départements Côte d Or, Frankreich, am Westrand der fruchtbaren Saônesenke am Fuß der Côte d Or, 247 m über dem Meeresspiegel, 146 700 Einwohner; Bischofssitz; Universität (gegründet 1722),… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Dijon — (spr. di schóng), Hauptstadt des franz. Depart. Côte d Or, die alte Metropole von Burgund, liegt 245 m ü. M. in einer fruchtbaren, von grünen Hügeln umgebenen Ebene am Fuß des Mont Afrique (584 m), an der Mündung des Suzon in die Ouche und am… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Dijon — (spr. Dischong), 1) Arrondissement un französischen Departement Côte d or; 541/6 QM.;[152] 147,000 Ew. in 12 Cantonen; 2) Hauptstadt darin u. des Departements, in einer weiten fruchtbaren Ebene am Zusammenfluß der Ouche u. des Souzon gelegen, gut …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Dijon — (spr. dischóng), Hauptstadt des franz. Dep. Côte d Or, an der Ouche und dem Suzon, (1901) 71.326 E., Kathedrale (St. Bénigne), Zitadelle (Gefängnis), Akademie, Universität; durch einen Fortsgürtel ein verschanztes Lager ersten Ranges. Zur… …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • Dijon — (Dischong), Hauptstadt des franz. Departem. Côte dʼOr, an dem Verbindungskanäle der Seine u. Rhone, an der Eisenbahn von Paris nach Lyon, Bischofssitz, hat eine schöne Kathedrale, Citadelle, Schloß mit einem naturhistorischen Museum und dem… …   Herders Conversations-Lexikon

  • dījōn — *dījōn germ.?, schwach. Verb: nhd. säugen; ne. suck (Verb); Rekontruktionsbasis: mhd.; Etymologie: s. ing. *dʰēi , *dʰē , Verb, saugen, säugen, Pokorny 241; …   Germanisches Wörterbuch

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