Dijon

Administrative centre of the Côte-d'Or département, east-central France, and chief city of the Burgundy region, situated on the Burgundy canal at the confluence of the rivers Ouche and Suzon; population (1999) 150,100, conurbation 237,200. As well as metallurgical, electrical, electronic, pharmaceutical, and other industries, it has a has a trade in Burgundy wines, is famed for its mustard, spiced bread, and gastronomic specialities, and is an important railway centre.

Features Dijon was the capital of the former kingdom of Burgundy. Known to the Romans as Dibio, Dijon was joined to Burgundy in 1007. On the death of Charles the Bold in 1477 it went to France. A bishopric, Dijon is rich in fine buildings. The former palace of the dukes of Burgundy, now the town hall, houses one of the most notable museums outside Paris. The 13th–14th century cathedral of St Benigne has a 10th-century crypt, and there are several other medieval and Renaissance churches of interest. The Ducal Palace today is used partly as the town hall and partly to house the Musée des Beaux-Arts, one of the best art museums outside Paris and home of the tombs of many of the dukes of Burgundy. The university of Dijon was founded in 1722.