A Little Dijon With My Life
My daughter just took a job teaching English to high school students in Dijon, France starting this fall. She has been there already in her travels, but I have not, so I thought I should do some research into where my baby is going to be living and what fun place I will get to visit!!
A quick overview of the city: Dijon is located in eastern France about an hour and 40 minutes outside of Paris by high speed train. (Gare de Lyon station is where you would catch it) and is the historical capital of Burgundy–and people, what does one find in Burgundy? Yes, that’s right, some of the best wine in the world!!! It is also home to crème de cassis, or blackberry liqueur. When combined with white wine it becomes a Kir or with champagne a Kir Royal. Speaking from experience, both are wonderful and should not be missed when traveling in France. A perfect aperitif. I can always link life back to a good glass of wine.
The architecture in the region of Burgundy is distinguished by toits bourguignons (Burgundian roofs–love that word, Burgundian) that are made of colorful glazed tiles arranged in geometric patterns. Beautiful!
A typical street in the center of old town. This area is filled with some of the best preserved examples of medieval half-timbered buildings. Dijon, miraculously, remained fairly unscathed by bombing during World War II.
I can’t help but think mustard when I hear the word Dijon. And that’s because, this is home to that famous, clear-your-sinus’-right-out spread. I have had moments of panic when I’ve become partially paralyzed from taking a bite of something with too much Dijon, but I always go back for more. Sort of that pleasurable pain thing. Anyway, yes, it is made here and you will find all sorts of exotic fruit flavored mustard as well, sold in beautiful faience pots. I feel good knowing that at the end of of a stressful day, my daughter will be able to kick back with a glass of wine and a shot of mustard as this young girl is demonstrating ;-)
She will be able to nibble on fabulous cheese plates like you see here. The stuff that passes for cheese in the states is really flavorless hunks of white plastic. See the bleu cheese on this plate? I hated bleu cheese before I went to France. Wouldn’t touch it. To find a piece of it on a cheese platter in Paris, or any part of France, is a gift from the gods. So many things for you to try–Kirs, bleu cheese….let’s get going.
Additional information: about.com, hotels in Dijon, TGV
Photo credit: wikipedia, flickr: garethac, photo nuevo
Tags: , , b5media, Burgundy, Crème de Cassis, Dijon, Dijon mustard, france, Kir, Kir royal, paris, the paris traveler, travel, travel blogs
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POSTED IN: Getting Around, History & Information
5 opinions for A Little Dijon With My Life
Craig McGinty
Jun 28, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Hi Kim,
A regular writer on my own site lives near Dijon, her daughter and children have recently moved over, and they are very involved with local community youth work.
If your daughter just wants to chat to them to get a little more info on the area just drop me a line.
All the best,
Craig
Kim
Jun 28, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Craig
That is so kind of you. Currently, she is in the woods of New Hampshire working at a youth camp with little or no contact. The minute she gets home, I will get in touch with you to set something up!
Thanks
Kim
Shane
Jun 28, 2008 at 5:34 pm
I just love to rooftops. What stunning works of art! I’ll be there’s a lounge or restaurant where you could have that kir and spend an hour or two gazing out over the roofs without a care in the world.
la Reine
Jul 1, 2008 at 9:57 am
One of the most fun and unique French shopping experiences is in Dijon, purchasing mustards. You can go into the shop and sample and select your favorite mustard flavor, and then choose which charming pot to fill and store it in. This makes a fantastic gift (for yourself!). My favorites shops are the Maille and Amora. In fact, when I moved back to the US after 7 years living in Paris, I brought 16 jars of Amora with me, since its not sold in the US. I’ve been back 3 years, and on a recent trip to Paris had to stock up again…everyone loves it!
If you’re in Paris but can’t get to Dijon, the mustard boutique Maille on Place de la Madeleine offers many varieties on tap, also with charming faience pots you personally select to hold your mustard. Many of these mustards are not exported to the US, and small sample-size jars make wonderful gifts. (Small samples of mustard can also be purchased at Monoprix, the selection is limited, but they make wonderful gifts or additions to your picnic basket!)
There are many wonderful mustard flavors in addition to those Kim mentions: one of my recent finds is chocolat, which goes very well with saucisson!
bon appetit
Kim
Jul 1, 2008 at 10:05 am
You must meet us in Dijon when we move my daughter in so you can give us the grand tour!! And chocolat mustard sounds amazing I have to admit.
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