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The best museums in Dijon: our local selection

Dijon, the capital of the Dukes of Burgundy and a city of art listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers exceptional cultural richness through its museums. From medieval art to contemporary creation, from archaeology to Burgundian traditions, each museum reveals a unique facet of this millennia-old city. Here is our selection of must-see institutions and lesser-known treasures that make Dijon a leading cultural destination.


Must-sees: the jewels of Dijon’s heritage

Nestled in the heart of the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy, the Dijon Museum of Fine Arts is one of the oldest and most prestigious museums in France. Its Renaissance architectural setting alone justifies the visit, but it is the collections that truly inspire awe.


The monumental Salle des Gardes, featuring the tombs of Dukes Philip the Bold and John the Fearless adorned with the famous alabaster mourners, is the highlight of the medieval section. These sculptures, originally from the Chartreuse de Champmol, bear witness to the excellence of Burgundian art in the Middle Ages.


The chronological route then unfolds twenty centuries of art history across fifty galleries: ancient collections, Flemish and Rhenish altarpieces, master paintings (Eugène Delacroix, Gustave Moreau, Claude Monet), and finally the monumental works of Yan Pei-Ming, which engage in dialogue with masterpieces of the past. This diversity makes the museum a comprehensive journey through the history of artistic creation.


Practical information:Open every day except Tuesday, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Free admission to the permanent collections (temporary exhibitions are ticketed). Place de la Sainte-Chapelle.



For a more intimate experience, the Magnin Museum offers the rare charm of a private collection preserved in its original setting. The Hôtel Lantin, a splendid 17th-century townhouse, houses nearly 2,000 works assembled with passion by Jeanne and Maurice Magnin between 1881 and 1935.


The atmosphere is truly unique: paintings from the Flemish, Dutch, Italian, and French schools of the 16th to 19th centuries are displayed in period-furnished salons, creating a refined dialogue between painting and decorative arts. Unlike other museums in Dijon, admission has been free since July 2024—an excellent opportunity for art lovers.


Practical information:Open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Free admission. 4 rue des Bons Enfants.



Housed in the former convent buildings of the Abbey of Saint-Bénigne, the Archaeological Museum takes visitors deep into the region’s roots. The Gothic hall of the Benedictine dormitory, with its preserved medieval architecture, provides a majestic setting for the Gallo-Roman lapidary collections.


Artifacts from the excavations of Alésia, carved wooden pieces from the sanctuary of the sources of the River Seine, and remains from Dijon’s Roman castrum offer a comprehensive overview of human occupation in the Côte-d’Or, from Prehistory to the Middle Ages. This museum is essential for understanding the historical foundations of Burgundy’s capital.


Practical information:Open every day except Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (reduced hours from November to March). Free admission. 5 rue Docteur-Maret.



Housed in the former Bernardine convent, this ethnographic museum authentically recreates daily life in Burgundy from the late 18th century to the Second World War. The first floor is particularly remarkable, with eleven reconstructed period shops: a pharmacy, a milliner’s shop, a grocery store, a toy shop, and more.


The ground floor presents Burgundy’s rural heritage through costumes, furniture, and everyday objects. It is a nostalgic journey back in time that reveals the region’s deep identity, its traditions, and its way of life.


Practical information:Open every day except Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Free admission. 17 rue Sainte-Anne.



Housed in the transept of the former Saint-Étienne church, this monographic museum pays tribute to the Dijon-born sculptor François Rude. The full-scale cast of The Departure of the Volunteers of 1792 (La Marseillaise) from the Arc de Triomphe in Paris is particularly striking, standing 13 metres high.


The church also contains an architectural curiosity: visible remains of the 3rd-century Gallo-Roman castrum and the foundations of the 11th-century church, bearing witness to the different historical layers of Dijon.


Practical information:Open every day except Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Free admission. 8 rue Vaillant.



Contemporary art: Dijon at the forefront

It is impossible to talk about Dijon without mentioning the Consortium Museum, an international reference for contemporary art. Since 2011, it has been housed in a 4,000 m² building designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban (Pritzker Prize winner). This former industrial site hosts around ten temporary exhibitions each year.


Founded in 1977, the Consortium organised the first exhibitions in France of artists who later became major figures, including Cindy Sherman, Richard Prince, Yayoi Kusama, and Maurizio Cattelan. Its permanent collection of nearly 400 works, displayed upstairs, reflects forty years of commitment to supporting contemporary creation.


Admission is free every Friday evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and guided tours are offered every weekend. It is an accessible venue that brilliantly demystifies contemporary art.


Practical information:Open from Wednesday to Sunday, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (until 8:00 p.m. on Fridays). Admission: €5, free on Friday evenings. 37 rue de Longvic.



Housed in the former Bains du Nord (500 m² in the city centre), the Regional Fund for Contemporary Art (FRAC Bourgogne) presents a collection of nearly 840 works. Its temporary exhibitions highlight both emerging and established artists, with particular attention given to the Burgundian art scene.


Practical information:16 rue Quentin (former Consortium premises).



Thematic museums: for the curious

Located within the Jardin de l’Arquebuse, this scientific hub brings together biodiversity, Earth sciences, and astronomy. The Planetarium welcomes around 100,000 visitors each year, including many school groups, and offers immersive astronomy shows.


The permanent collections dedicated to regional fauna and flora complete Dijon’s cultural offering for families and natural science enthusiasts.


Practical information:1 avenue Albert 1er.



Housed in the former Bernardine church, this museum presents outstanding liturgical collections. The centrepiece is The Visitation, a masterful sculpture originating from the convent of the same name, which was destroyed during the French Revolution. It is a place of spirituality and sacred art, set within a preserved religious architectural setting.



For a more indulgent experience, this private museum traces the history of Dijon gingerbread since 1796. The exhibition space reveals the secrets behind the manufacturing process and the story of this Burgundian specialty. The visit ends with a tasting of four products—a sweet and cultural break that families particularly enjoy.


Practical information:Located at the production site in Dijon, with an audio guide (approximately a 1-hour visit).



Practical tips for your cultural visit

Free admission to municipal museums:Since 2004, the five municipal museums of Dijon (Fine Arts, Archaeological, Burgundian Life, Rude, Sacred Art) have offered free access to their permanent collections. An exceptional advantage for art lovers.


Closing days:Most municipal museums are closed on Tuesdays as well as on public holidays (1 January, 1 and 8 May, 14 July, 1 and 11 November, 25 December).


Culture pass:To optimise your travel, the Divia network offers unlimited passes for buses and trams within the city centre.


Best time to visit:Dijon’s museums can be visited year-round, but spring and autumn offer a particularly pleasant atmosphere, ideal for combining cultural visits with strolls through the cobbled streets of the historic centre.


Dijon thus stands out as a complete cultural destination, where historic heritage and contemporary creation engage in dialogue within a preserved urban setting. Whether you are a lover of classical art, a passionate archaeologist at heart, or curious about contemporary art, the Burgundian capital is sure to spark your curiosity and enrich your stay with memorable artistic experiences.


Discover Dijon from Pavillon Dijon

Dijon’s rich museum scene is best enjoyed when staying right in the heart of the city. At Pavillon Dijon, our high-end suites have been designed to offer you the comfort of a home while serving as the ideal starting point for your cultural exploration. Located in the historic centre, our accommodations place you just a few minutes’ walk from the city’s main museums.


Book your suite at Pavillon Dijon now and enjoy a unique experience in the heart of the capital of the Dukes of Burgundy.



 
 
 

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