Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy Palace
Historic ducal palace in Dijon, houses museums
A medieval ducal palace in Dijon housing the Musée des Beaux‑Arts; visitors explore its Gothic façades, museum collections and the adjacent old town streets.
Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy at a Glance#
Address: Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy (Palais des Ducs et des États de Bourgogne), Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
Website: https://www.dijon.fr/
About Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy#
The Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy in Dijon is the historic ducal residence and administrative complex that later accommodated civic institutions and museum galleries. It occupies a prominent position in Dijon’s city centre.
The complex combines medieval ducal architecture with later civic uses; much of it now houses the city’s Musée des Beaux-Arts alongside municipal offices. The site is valued for its architectural continuity from the ducal period into the modern civic era.
Constructed and altered over several centuries, the buildings served as the seat of the powerful Dukes of Burgundy in the Middle Ages and were repurposed for municipal and cultural uses in later periods. Collections and adaptation reflect the building’s long administrative role.
The palace stands in Dijon in the Bourgogne region, within the compact historic centre and easily reached from the city’s main squares.
- Tower views: A visitor route includes access to the exterior façades and the museum; the tower associated with the ducal complex offers elevated views over central Dijon.
What to See#
- Ducal palace complex: The former ducal residence complex that retains medieval and later structural elements of the Dukes of Burgundy’s seat in Dijon.
- Musée des Beaux-Arts: The Musée des Beaux-Arts, housed within the palace buildings, holding the city’s principal fine art collections across multiple periods.
How to Get to Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy#
The palace is in the centre of Dijon, a short walk from Dijon-Ville railway station. The city is well served by regional TGV and TER services; once in town the palace is easily reached on foot.
Tips for Visiting Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy#
- Arrive before mid-afternoon to see the Ducal Palace's stately rooms before they close.
- Visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts inside the palace and allow extra time for its Burgundian collections.
- Buy combined tickets if visiting multiple Dijon museums for better value.
Best Time to Visit Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy#
Spring and autumn are best for city visits; Dijon is a year-round museum city but summers can be warm.
Weather & Climate near Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy#
Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -1°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (767 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -1° - 5° | -1° | 59 mm | overcast | 93% | 3.5 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.8h |
| February | Poor | 0° - 7° | 0° | 55 mm | overcast | 88% | 3.7 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.1h |
| March | Good | 2° - 11° | 4° | 48 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 3.8 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Good | 5° - 15° | 8° | 54 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.5 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 13.5h |
| May | Good | 9° - 20° | 14° | 87 mm | overcast | 78% | 3.1 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.9h |
| June | Very Good | 12° - 23° | 18° | 71 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 2.9 m/s | 1.6 very high | 15.7h |
| July | Very Good | 15° - 26° | 20° | 61 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 2.8 m/s | 1.6 very high | 15.3h |
| August | Very Good | 14° - 25° | 20° | 60 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 2.7 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.1h |
| September | Very Good | 11° - 21° | 16° | 68 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.8 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Good | 7° - 15° | 11° | 69 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 3.1 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | 3° - 9° | 3° | 71 mm | overcast | 92% | 3.4 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.2h |
| December | Poor | 0° - 6° | 0° | 64 mm | overcast | 93% | 3.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.3h |
