Burgundy Canal Cycle Route
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Burgundy Canal Cycle Route

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VARGAS Photo

Dijon without a car

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No car, no driving licence: in Dijon, everything can be done from the station – on foot, by bike or by public transport. I tried out sustainable transport there and found it simple, efficient and enjoyable. The city centre is compact, there are cycle paths everywhere, and trams and buses provide easy links between neighbourhoods. In short, you get more out of the city without any hassle.

1. Dijon, by bike

I discovered Dijon just as one might open a box of surprises: by cycling. And honestly, leaving the car in the garage gave me the best way to explore the city, because on a bike, Dijon reveals itself in a different way – more freely, more peacefully – and with that rare little pleasure of slipping into places where motorised vehicles wouldn’t even dare to dream of going. The city and its wider urban area boast over 250 km of cycle routes, which makes all the difference when you want to explore without any stress.

The pedestrianised city centre isn’t an impregnable fortress for cyclists: bikes are allowed on most streets, provided you ride at a suitable speed and show a bit of courtesy towards pedestrians.

Vélovitamine
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Vélovitamine

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Alice COLAS (crédit)

My favourite route

My ideal starting point is the Canal harbour. From there, I followed the greenway towards the city centre for about 1.5 km, before heading along Avenue Jean Jaurès, Rue de l’Hôpital, Rue Monge, then Rue Bossuet, finally ending up on Rue de la Liberté at 11 Rue des Forges, just a stone’s throw from the Palais des Ducs and Place Notre-Dame.

The route is short – about 2 km and 8 minutes by bike – but it has that special touch of magical transition: you leave the riverbanks behind, cross through the city, and arrive at the beating heart of Dijon without ever feeling as though you’re racing against the clock.

Bike ride
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Bike ride

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Yann GLAUSER

Life on Two Wheels
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Life on Two Wheels

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Alice COLAS (crédit)

Beautiful getaways

Although I fancied leaving the city, Dijon also served as a springboard for me. The Voie des Vignes had me dreaming just from its name alone: it runs from Dijon to Beaune, passing through renowned wine-growing villages such as Nuits-Saint-Georges and Vosne-Romanée, amidst stunning vineyard landscapes.

Other cycle routes, such as the Canal de Bourgogne or the Tour de Bourgogne, are lovely options for getting away from it all: with their greenways, countryside scenery and canal banks, they offer a pleasant setting, particularly for families.

Rent

Hiring a bike in Dijon is straightforward: the easiest way is to use Divia Vélodi, the self-service bike-share scheme available 24 hours a day throughout the city. If you prefer a standard bike, an electric bike or even a cargo bike, several private hire companies and the Tourist Office also offer these types of bikes. In practice, all you need to do is choose the bike that suits you best, depending on the length of your ride and how you plan to explore the city.

If you have any problems

I also found it reassuring to know that, should any minor problems arise, there are plenty of ways to sort things out easily. The Tourist Office provides a repair kit, there’s a station for pumping up and repairing your bike at Lac Kir, and several pump stations are available around the town, particularly at the DiviaVéloParks.

Parking

When it comes to parking, Dijon is rather well organised. There are bike racks in the city centre and near transport links, and, most importantly, 11 secure, covered, well-lit and monitored bike stations, known as DiviaVéloPark. It’s handy, especially when you want to explore without having to worry every five minutes about whether your bike is parked safely.

2. Dijon: the public transport option

Now, I’m going to tell you how I made the most of the DiviaMobilités network to get around the whole metropolitan area with ease, why the tourist office won me over with its approach to sustainable tourism, and how I benefited from the ‘soft mobility’ fare thanks to my train ticket.

Inaugural weekend at the Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin in Dijon
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Inaugural weekend at the Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin in Dijon

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Alice COLAS (crédit)

Getting around Dijon without a car? I’ve tried it (and I loved it)

I soon realised that the DiviaMobilités network, with its two tram lines (T1 and T2) and over 30 bus routes, really does cover the whole city. At peak times, trams run every 5 to 15 minutes, and the timetable is generous: from 5 am until 12.15 am, I’ve always been able to get around without any hassle.

In the city centre, I even tried out the free ‘City’ shuttle from Monday to Saturday: really handy for avoiding long walks when your arms are full of souvenirs (and mustard). With the app, I can plan my route in real time and buy different types of tickets (single tickets, day passes, season tickets).

I realised that getting by without a car in Dijon was not only practical and economical… but also, quite frankly, environmentally friendly.

Dijon City Tour
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Dijon City Tour

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Yann GLAUSER

Darcy Garden
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Darcy Garden

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Alice COLAS (crédit)

Member of the Sustainable Tourism Stakeholders network

What also struck me was that Dijon Bourgogne Tourisme & Congrès does more than just help me discover the city: the tourist office takes concrete action to promote more responsible tourism. As a member of the Acteurs du Tourisme Durable network, it is implementing measures to reduce the environmental impact of visits and encourage sustainable travel. I sensed this approach right from the very first pieces of advice: to prioritise travelling by train, on foot, by bike or on public transport; to avoid private cars; and to respect local residents and natural areas.

Sustainable transport fare My train ticket came with a discount (which was nice)

And then came the icing on the cake: the ‘soft mobility’ discount. I arrived in Dijon by train, and by showing my named train ticket (valid within 48 hours of the tour), I received a 20 per cent discount on the ‘Dijon Découverte’ guided tour ’ guided tour. This small gesture, seemingly insignificant, really made me feel as though I was being rewarded for choosing a low-carbon mode of transport.

Getting to Dijon by Passenger Train – Station
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Getting to Dijon by Passenger Train – Station

3. Dijon: a walking tour

Dijon is very easy to explore on foot, thanks to a largely pedestrianised historic centre and a compact layout that allows you to wander around the city at your leisure. The main attractions, such as the Palace of the Dukes, Place de la Libération, the churches, market halls, museums, shops and cafés, are all clustered within a pleasant area, ideal for a leisurely stroll.

To guide visitors, the famous ‘Parcours de la Chouette’ offers a fun trail dotted with 22 bronze owls, linking Dijon’s must-see heritage sites and delighting young and old alike. Other themed walks and city tours also allow you to explore the city, taking in a mix of heritage sites, green spaces and vibrant neighbourhoods, whilst prioritising sustainable transport and leaving the car behind.

They talk about it

An eco-friendly weekend
I really enjoyed exploring Dijon without a car. The city is easy to get around on foot, by bike and by public transport. It’s a pleasant, practical and eco-friendly way to make the most of its heritage and cuisine.

Noé, Montpellier
FAQ

Extend the experience...

Your car-free stay is only just beginning. Discover other ways to explore Dijon and the surrounding area – from its heritage and cuisine to its panoramic views and walks – without missing out on anything the city has to offer.

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