Dijon
Encyclopedia
Dijon 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.
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.
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
.
between June 1940 and 12 September 1944, when it was liberated by joint French/UK/US forces.
of which, dedicated to Saint Benignus, dates from 1,000 years ago. The city has retained varied architectural style
s 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.
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), 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).
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 (111.8 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.
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
.
.
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.
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. 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.
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
.
with:
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
in eastern France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, the capital of the Côte-d'Or
Côte-d'Or
Côte-d'Or is a department in the eastern part of France.- History :Côte-d'Or is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on 4 March 1790. It was formed from part of the former province of Burgundy.- Geography :...
département and of the Burgundy region.
Dijon is the historical capital of the region
Provinces of France
The Kingdom of France was organised into provinces until March 4, 1790, when the establishment of the département system superseded provinces. The provinces of France were roughly equivalent to the historic counties of England...
of Burgundy. Population (2008): 151,576 within the city limits; 250,516 (2007) for the greater Dijon area.
History
Dijon began as a RomanRoman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
settlement called Divio, located on the road from Lyon
Lyon
Lyon , is a city in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region, situated between Paris and Marseille. Lyon is located at from Paris, from Marseille, from Geneva, from Turin, and from Barcelona. The residents of the city are called Lyonnais....
to Paris. Saint Benignus
Benignus of Dijon
Saint Benignus of Dijon was a martyr honored as the patron saint and first herald of Christianity of Dijon, Burgundy . His feast falls, with All Saints, on November 1; his name stands under this date in the Martyrology of St. Jerome. No particulars concerning the person and life of Benignus were...
, the city's patron saint
Patron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
, 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 BurgundyDuke of Burgundy
Duke of Burgundy was a title borne by the rulers of the Duchy of Burgundy, a small portion of traditional lands of Burgundians west of river Saône which in 843 was allotted to Charles the Bald's kingdom of West Franks...
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
Duchy of Burgundy
The Duchy of Burgundy , was heir to an ancient and prestigious reputation and a large division of the lands of the Second Kingdom of Burgundy and in its own right was one of the geographically larger ducal territories in the emergence of Early Modern Europe from Medieval Europe.Even in that...
was a key in the transformation of medieval times toward early modern Europe
Early modern Europe
Early modern Europe is the term used by historians to refer to a period in the history of Europe which spanned the centuries between the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, roughly the late 15th century to the late 18th century...
.
20th century
It was occupied by Nazi GermanyNazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
between June 1940 and 12 September 1944, when it was liberated by joint French/UK/US forces.
Climate
Population
Sights
Dijon boasts a large number of churches, notably Notre Dame de Dijon, St. Philibert, St. Michel, Dijon Cathedral, the cryptCrypt
In architecture, a crypt is a stone chamber or vault beneath the floor of a burial vault possibly containing sarcophagi, coffins or relics....
of which, dedicated to Saint Benignus, dates from 1,000 years ago. The city has retained varied architectural style
Architectural style
Architectural styles classify architecture in terms of the use of form, techniques, materials, time period, region and other stylistic influences. It overlaps with, and emerges from the study of the evolution and history of architecture...
s from many of the main periods of the past millennium, including Capetian, Gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
and Renaissance
Renaissance architecture
Renaissance architecture is the architecture of the period between the early 15th and early 17th centuries in different regions of Europe, demonstrating a conscious revival and development of certain elements of ancient Greek and Roman thought and material culture. Stylistically, Renaissance...
. Many still-inhabited town houses in the city's central district date from the 18th century and earlier.
Dijon was largely spared the destruction of wars such as the 1870 Franco-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War
The Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War, often referred to in France as the 1870 War was a conflict between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia was aided by the North German Confederation, of which it was a member, and the South German states of Baden, Württemberg and...
and the Second World War, despite the city being occupied. Therefore, many of the old buildings such as the half-timbered
Timber framing
Timber framing , or half-timbering, also called in North America "post-and-beam" construction, is the method of creating structures using heavy squared off and carefully fitted and joined timbers with joints secured by large wooden pegs . It is commonplace in large barns...
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
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon
The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon is a museum of fine arts opened in 1787 in Dijon, France. It is housed in the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy in the historic center of Dijon.- Artworks :The Musée include a large and varied collection of art:...
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
Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy
The Palace of the Dukes and Estates of Burgundy or palais des ducs et des États de Bourgogne is a remarkably well-preserved architectural assemblage in Dijon...
, 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), 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 is located approximately 300 km (186.4 mi) southeast of Paris, which takes about three hours by car along the motorways A38A38 autoroute
The A38 autoroute is a toll free motorway in Côte-d'Or, France. The road runs between the A6 autoroute at Pouilly-en-Auxois to Dijon.The motorway was originally numbered the H6.-Junctions:...
and A6. The A31
A31 autoroute
The A31 autoroute is a French autoroute. It runs from the Franco-Luxembourg border to Beaune where it joins the A6. The north of the autoroute is free, up to the town of Toul, but it is a toll road south of there...
provides connections to Nancy, Lille and Lyon. The A39
A39 autoroute
The A 39 autoroute is a motorway in eastern France. It is also called the L'Autoroute Verte. The road connects Dijon with Dole and Bourg en Bresse...
connects Dijon with Bourg-en-Bresse and Geneva, the A36
A36 autoroute
The A36 autoroute is a toll motorway in north eastern France connecting the German border with Burgundy. It is also known as La Comtoise. The road forms part of the European route E60.-Junctions:...
with Mulhouse and Basel.
The Gare de Dijon-Ville
Gare de Dijon-Ville
Gare de Dijon-Ville is the main railway station serving the city Dijon, Côte-d'Or department, eastern France. It is situated on the Paris–Marseille railway.-Services:-References:*...
is the main railway station, providing connection in one hour and 40 minutes by the TGV
TGV
The TGV is France's high-speed rail service, currently operated by SNCF Voyages, the long-distance rail branch of SNCF, the French national rail operator....
high-speed train
High-speed rail
High-speed rail is a type of passenger rail transport that operates significantly faster than the normal speed of rail traffic. Specific definitions by the European Union include for upgraded track and or faster for new track, whilst in the United States, the U.S...
(LGV Sud-Est
LGV Sud-Est
The LGV Sud-Est is a high-speed rail line, which links Paris' and Lyon's suburbs, in France. The inauguration of the first section between Saint-Florentin and Sathonay on 22 September 1981 marked the beginning of the re-invigoration of French passenger rail service.This line, subsequently...
) to Paris-Gare de Lyon
Paris-Gare de Lyon
Paris Lyon is one of the six large railway termini in Paris, France. It is the northern terminus of the Paris–Marseille railway. It is named after the city of Lyon, a stop for many long-distance trains departing here, most en route to the south of France. In general the station's SNCF services run...
. For comparison, Lyon is 180 km (111.8 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
Lausanne
Lausanne is a city in Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and is the capital of the canton of Vaud. The seat of the district of Lausanne, the city is situated on the shores of Lake Geneva . It faces the French town of Évian-les-Bains, with the Jura mountains to its north-west...
in Switzerland is less than 150 km (93 mi) away or two hours by train. Several regional trains of TER Bourgogne
TER Bourgogne
TER Bourgogne is the regional rail network serving the Burgundy region of France.- Rail:-Road:* Autun - Le Creusot-TGV* Paray-le-Monial - Le Creusot-TGV* Châtillon-sur-Seine - Montbard* Corbigny - Avallon - Montbard* Saulieu - Montbard...
depart from the station.
A new tram network is under construction in Dijon; it is expected to open in 2012.
Sport
To the northwest of Dijon, the race trackRace track
A race track is a purpose-built facility for racing of animals , automobiles, motorcycles or athletes. A race track may also feature grandstands or concourses. Some motorsport tracks are called speedways.A racetrack is a permanent facility or building...
of Dijon-Prenois
Dijon-Prenois
Dijon-Prenois is a motor racing circuit located in Prenois, near Dijon, France. The undulating track is noted for its fast, sweeping bends....
hosts various motor sport
Motorsport
Motorsport or motorsports is the group of sports which primarily involve the use of motorized vehicles, whether for racing or non-racing competition...
events. It hosted the Formula 1
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
French Grand Prix
French Grand Prix
The French Grand Prix was a race held as part of Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's annual Formula One automobile racing championships....
on five occasions from 1974 to 1984.
Dijon is home to Dijon FCO
Dijon FCO
Dijon Football Côte d'Or is a French association football club based in Dijon. The club was founded in 1998 as a result of a merger between two local clubs in the city and currently competes in Ligue 1 after gaining promotion for the first time ever in the 2010-11 season.The club president is...
, a Football team
Football team
A football team is the collective name given to a group of players selected together in the various team sports known as football.Such teams could be selected to play in an against an opposing team, to represent a football club, group, state or nation, an All-star team or even selected as a...
in Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
.Dijon has its own basketball club (Pro A), JDA Dijon Basket.
Dijon is home to the Dijon Ducs
Ducs de Dijon
The Dijon Hockey Club is a French ice hockey team based in Dijon playing in the Ligue Magnus. The team currently use the name of "Ducs de Dijon" The team was founded in 1969 and plays home games at the Patinoire municipale Trimolet....
ice hockey team, who play in the Magnus League
Ligue Magnus
-Former Teams:*Bisons de Neuilly-sur-Marne*Orques d'Anglet*Sangliers Arvernes*Corsaires de Dunkerque*Albatros de Brest*Jets de Viry-Essonne-Defunct Teams:*Diables Noirs de Tours*Hockey Club de Mulhouse*Séquanes de Besançon*Flammes Bleues de Reims...
.
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 FlorissimoFlorissimo
Florissimo is an international flower show held in the city of Dijon, France. It features exhibits from French and non-French cities, botanical gardens, agricultural schools, and private corporations....
.
Dijon has numerous museums such as the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon
The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon is a museum of fine arts opened in 1787 in Dijon, France. It is housed in the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy in the historic center of Dijon.- Artworks :The Musée include a large and varied collection of art:...
, 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
Green belt
A green belt or greenbelt is a policy and land use designation used in land use planning to retain areas of largely undeveloped, wild, or agricultural land surrounding or neighbouring urban areas. Similar concepts are greenways or green wedges which have a linear character and may run through an...
, including the Jardin botanique de l'Arquebuse
Jardin botanique de l'Arquebuse
The Jardin botanique de l'Arquebuse is a botanical garden and arboretum located at 1 Avenue Albert-Premier, Dijon, Côte-d'Or, Bourgogne, France. It is open daily without charge....
.
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
- Dijon hosts the main campus of the University of BurgundyUniversity of BurgundyThe University of Burgundy is a university located in Dijon, France.The University of Burgundy is situated on a large campus called Campus Montmuzard, 15 minutes by bus from the City Centre...
(Université de Bourgogne) - École nationale des beaux-arts de DijonÉcole des Beaux-ArtsÉcole des Beaux-Arts refers to a number of influential art schools in France. The most famous is the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, now located on the left bank in Paris, across the Seine from the Louvre, in the 6th arrondissement. The school has a history spanning more than 350 years,...
- 1er cycle européen (Europe Centrale et Orientale) de Sciences Po Paris
- ENESAD - Établissement National d’Enseignement Supérieur Agronomique de Dijon
Mustard
Mustard (condiment)
Mustard is a condiment made from the seeds of a mustard plant...
: 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
Genericized trademark
A genericized trademark is a trademark or brand name that has become the colloquial or generic description for, or synonymous with, a general class of product or service, rather than as an indicator of source or affiliation as intended by the trademark's holder...
under European Union law, so that it cannot be registered for protected designation of origin
Protected Geographical Status
Protected Geographical Status is a legal framework defined in European Union law to protect the names of regional foods. Protected Designation of Origin , Protected Geographical Indication and Traditional Speciality Guaranteed are distinct regimes of geographical indications within the framework...
status. Most Dijon mustard (brands such as Amora
Amora (mustard)
Amora is a French company most known for its mustard. It is based in Dijon. Amora is currently a subsidiary of Unilever....
or Maille
Maille (company)
Maille is a French mustard and pickle company. Founded in 1747, it is famous for its Dijon mustard and cornichon. The company traces its roots to Antoine Claude Maille. In 1720 Maille developed new forms of vinegar to help stop the ongoing plague engulfing the south of France...
) is produced industrially and over 90% of mustard seed used in local production is imported, mainly from Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. 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
Faience
Faience or faïence is the conventional name in English for fine tin-glazed pottery on a delicate pale buff earthenware body, originally associated with Faenza in northern Italy. The invention of a white pottery glaze suitable for painted decoration, by the addition of an oxide of tin to the slip...
(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-RomanéeVosne-Romanée
Vosne-Romanée is a commune in the Côte-d'Or department in Burgundy in eastern France.-Population:-Wine:It produces the region's most celebrated wines, all made entirely from the Pinot Noir grape: "There can be little doubt that in the firmament of the Cote de nuits, Vosne-Romanée is the brightest...
and Gevrey-Chambertin
Gevrey-Chambertin
Gevrey-Chambertin is a commune in the Côte-d'Or department of France in the Bourgogne region in eastern France.It lies 15 km South of Dijon. This touristic, winemaking village is situated on the Route des Grands Crus in the Côte de Nuits...
, 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
Route des Grands Crus
The Route des Grands Crus is the name of a tourist route situated in Burgundy, France.The approximately 60-kilometre route runs along the foot of the Côte d'Or escarpment, from Dijon in the north to Santenay in the south. Thus it runs through many of the great appellations of Burgundy wine, hence...
, 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
Crème de cassis
Crème de cassis is a sweet, dark red liqueur that is made from blackcurrants.Several cocktails are made with crème de cassis, including the very popular wine cocktail, kir.-Origin and production:...
, or blackcurrant liqueur
Liqueur
A liqueur is an alcoholic beverage that has been flavored with fruit, herbs, nuts, spices, flowers, or cream and bottled with added sugar. Liqueurs are typically quite sweet; they are usually not aged for long but may have resting periods during their production to allow flavors to marry.The...
, used in the drink known as "Kir", a mixture of white wine, especially Bourgogne aligoté
Bourgogne Aligoté AOC
Bourgogne Aligoté is an Appellation d'origine contrôlée for white wine produced from the Aligoté grape variety in the region of Burgundy in France...
, with blackcurrant liqueur, named after former mayor of Dijon canon
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
Félix Kir
Félix Kir
Canon Félix Kir was a French Catholic priest, resistance fighter and politician.He was born at Alise-Sainte-Reine on the Côte-d'Or. He entered a small seminary at Plombières-lès-Dijon in 1891 and was ordained 1901. He then worked as a parish priest...
.
Personalities
- John the Fearless (1371–1419), Duke of Burgundy
- Charles, Duke of Burgundy (1433–1477)
- Jane Frances de ChantalJane Frances de ChantalSaint Jane Frances de Chantal is a Roman Catholic Saint, who founded a religious order after the death of her husband.-Life:...
(Jeanne – Françoise Frémiot, baronne de Chantal, 1572–1641), founder of the Visitation OrderOrder of the Visitation of Holy MaryThe Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary or the Visitation Order is a Roman Catholic religious order for women. Members of the order are also known as Filles de Sainte-Marie, Visitandines, Salesian Sisters and, more commonly, Visitationists.- History of the order :The Order was founded in 1610 by... - Jacques-Bénigne BossuetJacques-Bénigne BossuetJacques-Bénigne Bossuet was a French bishop and theologian, renowned for his sermons and other addresses. He has been considered by many to be one of the most brilliant orators of all time and a masterly French stylist....
(1627–1704), bishop and theologist - Jean-Philippe RameauJean-Philippe RameauJean-Philippe Rameau was one of the most important French composers and music theorists of the Baroque era. He replaced Jean-Baptiste Lully as the dominant composer of French opera and is also considered the leading French composer for the harpsichord of his time, alongside François...
(1683–1764), composer - François ChaussierFrançois ChaussierFrançois Chaussier was a French anatomist who was a native of Dijon. He studied medicine in Besançon, and later returned to Dijon, where he worked as a hospital physician and performed pioneer research in forensic medicine. In 1780 he became a professor of anatomy...
(1746–1828), physician - Bernard CourtoisBernard CourtoisBernard Courtois, also spelled Barnard Courtois, was a French chemist born in Dijon, France.- Early life :...
(1777–1838), discoverer of the element iodine - François RudeFrançois RudeFrançois Rude was a French sculptor. He was the stepfather of Paul Cabet, a sculptor.Born in Dijon, he worked at his father's trade as a stovemaker till the age of sixteen, but received training in drawing from François Devosges, where he learned that a strong, simple contour was an invaluable...
(1784–1855), sculptor - Augustin CauchyAugustin Louis CauchyBaron Augustin-Louis Cauchy was a French mathematician who was an early pioneer of analysis. He started the project of formulating and proving the theorems of infinitesimal calculus in a rigorous manner, rejecting the heuristic principle of the generality of algebra exploited by earlier authors...
(1789–1867), mathematician - Henry DarcyHenry DarcyHenry Philibert Gaspard Darcy was a French engineer who made several important contributions to hydraulics.-Biography:...
(1803–1858), engineer - François JouffroyFrançois JouffroyFrançois Jouffroy was a French sculptor.Jouffroy was born in Dijon, the son of a baker, and attended the local drawing school before being admitted to the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 1824. In 1832 he won the Prix de Rome...
(1806–1882), sculptor - Alexandre Gustave EiffelGustave EiffelAlexandre Gustave Eiffel was a French structural engineer from the École Centrale Paris, an architect, an entrepreneur and a specialist of metallic structures...
(1832–1923), engineer and architect - Elizabeth of the TrinityElizabeth of the TrinityElizabeth of the Trinity was a French nun and religious writer. She was born Élisabeth Catez in the military camp of Avord in the district of Farges-en-Septaine . Her parents were Captain Joseph and Marie Catez. Elizabeth was the first born of her family. She had a terrible temper...
(Marie – Élisabeth Catez, 1880–1906), CarmeliteCarmelitesThe Order of the Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel or Carmelites is a Catholic religious order perhaps founded in the 12th century on Mount Carmel, hence its name. However, historical records about its origin remain uncertain...
nun and religious writer - Roger GuilleminRoger GuilleminRoger Charles Louis Guillemin received the National Medal of Science in 1976, and the Nobel prize for medicine in 1977 for his work on neurohormones, sharing the prize that year with Andrew Schally and Rosalyn Sussman Yalow.Completing his undergraduate work at the University of Burgundy, Guillemin...
(b. 1924), Nobel laurate in Physiology and Medicine - Jean-Pierre MarielleJean-Pierre MarielleJean-Pierre Marielle is a French actor. He has played in more than a hundred movies in which he brought life to a very large diversity of roles, from the banal citizen , to the serial killer , to the World War II hero , to the compromised spy , to the has-been actor Jean-Pierre Marielle (born...
(b. 1932), actor - Claude JadeClaude JadeClaude Marcelle Jorré, better known as Claude Jade , was a French actress, known for starring as Christine in François Truffaut's three films Stolen Kisses , Bed and Board and Love on the Run . Jade acted in theatre, film and television...
(1948–2006), actress - Jean-Marc BoivinJean-Marc BoivinJean-Marc Boivin was a French mountaineer, extreme skier, hang glider and paraglider pilot, speleologist, BASE jumper, award-winning film maker, and author...
(1951–1990), extreme sports specialist - VitalicVitalicVitalic is an electronic music artist. He was born in France and is of Spanish and Italian descent.-History:His first singles were released in 1996 and 1997, but were confined to the underground electronic music scene...
(born as Pascal Arbez in 1976), an electronic musicElectronic musicElectronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
artist - Julien PilletJulien PilletJulien Pillet is a French sabre fencer. He is a three-time Olympic medalist as he won the gold in the team event at the 2004 Summer Olympics and also at the 2008 Summer Olympics...
(b. 1977), olympic medalist sabreSabreThe sabre or saber is a kind of backsword that usually has a curved, single-edged blade and a rather large hand guard, covering the knuckles of the hand as well as the thumb and forefinger...
fencerFencingFencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games... - Anne-Caroline ChaussonAnne-Caroline ChaussonAnne-Caroline Chausson is a French Olympic gold medalist in BMX, and downhill time trial and cross-country mass start, dual, and four-cross mountain bicycle racer, best known for having won thirteen Union Cycliste Internationale senior world championship rainbow jerseys, fourteen continental...
(b. 1977), olympic medalist BMX racerBMXBicycle motocross or BMX refers to the sport in which the main goal is extreme racing on bicycles in motocross style on tracks with inline start and expressive obstacles, and it is also the term that refers to the bicycle itself that is designed for dirt and motocross cycling.- History :BMX started... - Madjid BougherraMadjid BougherraMadjid Bougherra is a professional footballer. He currently plays for Lekhwiya and the Algeria national team. He is a defender, who can also play as a midfielder....
(b. 1982), Rangers F.C.Rangers F.C.Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
football/soccer player - Laurent ChambertinLaurent ChambertinLaurent Chambertin is a retired volleyball player from France, who earned a total number of 336 caps for the Men's National Team.-International Competitions:*1989 – European Championship...
volleyball player
Twin towns – sister cities
Dijon is twinnedTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
with:
| Cluj-Napoca Cluj-Napoca Cluj-Napoca , commonly known as Cluj, is the fourth most populous city in Romania and the seat of Cluj County in the northwestern part of the country. Geographically, it is roughly equidistant from Bucharest , Budapest and Belgrade... in Romania Romania Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea... Dallas in United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... Mainz Mainz Mainz under the Holy Roman Empire, and previously was a Roman fort city which commanded the west bank of the Rhine and formed part of the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire... in Germany Germany Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate... Opole Opole Opole is a city in southern Poland on the Oder River . It has a population of 125,992 and is the capital of the Upper Silesia, Opole Voivodeship and, also the seat of Opole County... in Poland Poland Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north... Pécs Pécs Pécs is the fifth largest city of Hungary, located on the slopes of the Mecsek mountains in the south-west of the country, close to its border with Croatia. It is the administrative and economical centre of Baranya county... in Hungary Hungary Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The... |
Reggio Emilia Reggio Emilia Reggio Emilia is an affluent city in northern Italy, in the Emilia-Romagna region. It has about 170,000 inhabitants and is the main comune of the Province of Reggio Emilia.... in Italy Italy Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and... Skopje Skopje Skopje is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Macedonia with about a third of the total population. It is the country's political, cultural, economic, and academic centre... in Macedonia Volgograd Volgograd Volgograd , formerly called Tsaritsyn and Stalingrad is an important industrial city and the administrative center of Volgograd Oblast, Russia. It is long, north to south, situated on the western bank of the Volga River... in Russia Russia Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects... York York York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence... in England England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental... Białystok in Poland Poland Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north... |