Dijon
Prefecture of Burgundy and Capital of Mustard
Located on a plain towards the north of the Région overlooking the famous vineyards on the hillside known as the Côte d’Or, is delightful Dijon, Burgundy’s Prefecture and largest city. The seat of the Dukes of Burgundy since early Medieval times, it was originally the Roman settlement of Divio on the road from Lyon to Paris.
Dijon Panorama
Like Burgundy itself, Dijon only became part of France in 1477 and, while retaining its status as one one of Europe’s foremost cultural centres, it lost its kudos as a capital city. It suffered a disastrous siege in 1513 by Swiss and Imperial armies including troops from its neighbour the Franche-Compté. The Museum of Fine Arts has a large tapestry which shows this episode.