Sunday, 22 July 2012

DIJON DONE

We have been so surprised and overwhelmed by Dijon. We arrived on a Friday afternoon, pouring rain, roadworks, and traffic hassles everywhere we looked. We had time, others didn't! The first full day though, and since, has been lovely sunny weather, brightening up our and the city's spirits no end.


We blogged yesterday on the food situation here, today we've consolidated the cities architecture and historic side. The city is largely in its original state having escaped the legacy of both world wars.


Lots of photos to share, hope you can appreciate what we have seen while we have been here.


Port Guillaume welcomed us.

There's an Owl under Anne's hand that brings the "rubber"
good luck. He is also the theme to an original way of guiding people around the
city with brass copies and arrows on the pavement.

Notre-Dame, a 13th century masterpiece of Burgundian architecture.
The remarkable facade is composed of false gargoyles and the 
"Jacquemart" or clock, a war spoil of Philip the Bold.

The Jacquemart (man) was given to the city in 1383, in 1651 he 
was given a wife, Jacqueline, and in 1714 and 1884 they were given 
children - quite PC really! 

The cities piece de resistance, the ducal palace.
It was started by Philip the Bold in 1366 and enlarged
by future Dukes, including Philip the Good!

 Hotel Aubriot, a 13th century house that
was used to store the cities monetary reserves.
The roof is made or glazed tiles, featured on 
several other buildings nearby.

A statue of a winegrower with stained legs
after a day treading grapes. He became known
as "bas roses" or red stockings!

On a more personal theme ...

We both had admirers!

Finally, I couldn't resist a picture of this little character
looking for a home in the markets today.





1 comment:

  1. Looks lovely.

    Did you try the chocolates at "La Chocolatiere De Roger?" My guess is all the chocolates are soaked in red wine ;)

    Or maybe they have a soporific effect?

    ReplyDelete