Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes, the walk is suitable for everyone. However, the pace is that of a leisurely stroll — do bring a baby carrier if needed.

What happens if it rains?

The tour may be cancelled or postponed: participants will be notified by email. We recommend checking the weather forecast before booking.

Can we join the tour without a booking?

No — booking is essential and there is a limit on group size (30 people max). It’s best to book in advance, especially during peak season.

Explore the town at nightfall

As night falls, Dijon reveals another side to its charm. Follow your guide on a unique stroll through the heart of Old Dijon, amongst illuminated alleyways, beautifully illuminated historic sites and fascinating anecdotes.

From

15 €

per adult

From

15 €

French
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Book now
Every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evening in July and August at 9.00 pm

ALLER À L'ESSENTIEL

When the town dresses up in its finest

There are cities you visit by day, and then there’s Dijon, which seems to have been designed for both day and night. When the light fades and the streets empty out a little, the city changes its rhythm, as if it were switching to a more intimate mode.

It’s a Tuesday evening in July, and Laurence welcomes us at 9 pm at the tourist office for a guided night-time tour of Old Dijon. Right from the start, I realise that this walk isn’t going to be like a typical tour. We don’t simply walk through Dijon; rather, we glide through it, soaking up the late-evening atmosphere, amidst golden stonework, tranquil alleyways and little snippets of history recounted at just the right moment.

A walk with plenty of variety

Under the streetlights, old Dijon takes on an almost cinematic quality. The façades of the mansions take on an unexpected softness, their contours become more rounded, and time seems to have stood still.

The tour begins with a journey back to the city’s origins: founded in Roman times and then shaped in the Middle Ages by the Dukes of Burgundy. I love this sort of detail: all it takes is a few well-chosen words to transform an ordinary street into a period setting.

Our Lady, Guardian of the Shadows

Standing in front ofNotre-Dame Church, it’s impossible not to look up. Its Romanesque and Gothic façade, magnificently lit, displays its gargoyleslike a small, very serious assembly that seems to be watching our every move.

And then there’s the Jacquemart and his wife Jacqueline, those automatons that strike the hours with almost theatrical precision. At 10 pm, the scene has a certain charm about it – a little solemn and frankly amusing.

The Owl and the Secrets

As I walk round the church via Rue de la Chouette, I come across one of the city’s most charming little rituals: discreetly stroking the town’s mascot bird and making a wish. It’s the sort of simple gesture that gives the stroll an almost intimate feel, as if Dijon were sharing its best-kept secrets with those who take the time to see it in a different light.

The medieval quarter still shines

The walk continues towardsthe Hôtel de Vogüé, where the Burgundy stone really comes into its own. As it releases the heat it has absorbed during the day, it reveals shades of pink, beige and golden yellow which, as night falls, take on an almost unreal intensity.

All around, the neighbourhood has shifted into a different rhythm. The shops have closed, but the outdoor cafés and restaurants still exude a light-hearted energy, the sort found on summer evenings when you wander about without a care for the time. It is precisely this contrast that makes Dijon By Night so enjoyable: the city remains alive, but it moves at a gentler pace.

Further information

Period of validityEvery Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evening in July and August

PRICES€15per person

Good to knowGuided tour available in French

Places are limited to 30 participants: booking is recommended.

In a nutshell

Discover Dijon in a different light on a guided night-time walk through the heart of Old Dijon, taking in illuminated historic sites, bustling alleyways and historical anecdotes.

Accessibility

Make sure you wear comfortable shoes and bring a warm top, depending on the temperature.

The walk follows a footpath.

Book your experience

To make the experience last longer night-time

They talk about it

Strolling through Dijon at night is like discovering a well-kept secret: the stones tell their stories, the lights whisper, and the city takes on an intimate feel. A moment outside of time.

Hervé – a delighted visitor

FAQ