In the 1st century AD there was a small Roman settlement here – Divio (wonderful, divine – thanks to the purity of the local river). In the Middle Ages it was a powerful, well-defended city. In the 11th century it becomes the capital of Burgundy. During the XIV-XV centuries. The Burgundian dukes claim absolute power in the French kingdom. The ancestor of the Burgundian branch of Valois is considered to be Philip the Brave (1364-1404). Although he was still a child during the Battle of Poitiers, this did not stop him from fighting bravely alongside his father, John II the Good. For his courage, he received possession of Burgundy.
The court of the Dukes of Burgundy is considered perhaps the most brilliant in Europe. It was at this time that Dijon became one of the richest and most vibrant European capitals. And no wonder: the dukes own a significant part of Europe. In their service are famous sculptors and painters (for example, the great master of the old Flemish school Jan van Eyck)…
But in the end, the French kings also subjugate Burgundy, for which they have been fighting with the emperors for several centuries...
Today the city's European political significance is behind… Now he is known throughout the world rather for his gastronomic recipes. For example, the famous French aperitif owes its name to one of the mayors of Dijon – Kira, and the mustard we know is called – Dijon This is where recipes for dishes with truffles were born (which are collected in Burgundy and in the fall, at fairs, you can eat an omelette strewn with truffles, costing a few euros). Who hasn't tried snails cooked in Burgundy style?
Dijon – quite a big city. It combines the features of refined French provincialism, the Middle Ages, royal architecture from the heyday of the French monarchy and modernity. Here you will find the Ducal Palace, semicircular squares with radiating fans of streets, medieval and Renaissance houses and palaces, Gothic cathedrals, mansions of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The streets near the Notre Dame Cathedral are very interesting. The magnificent Gothic temple was founded in 1230-1250. during the reign of St. Louis and consecrated in 1334. Here stands the oldest statue of the Black Virgin in France, presumably dating back to the 11th century. According to legend, she saved the city from the Swiss on September 11, 1513. According to the residents of Dijon, it was the statue of Our Lady that helped rid the city of the Nazis in 1944.
The Saint-Benin Cathedral houses one of the most beautiful crypts in France. Believers descend into it to pray at the graves of Christian martyrs…
And, of course, the special charm of Dijon – the abundance of colorful tiled roofs for which Burgundy is famous.
Lots of museums, cathedrals, and just the size of the city – all this invites you to spend the whole day there. But even a 2-3 hour walk will make you fall in love with Dijon. If you want to have lunch or dinner there, a number of good restaurants await you, including several with gourmet stars (in accordance with the categories of the Michelin guide).
In the South-West of France, near the city of Bordeaux, on the Charente River, the city of Cognac is located, which gave its name to the now famous strong drink throughout the world. The city essentially owes its birth to Roman settlements on the banks of the river. The Romans called it Conniacum, but later the name was simplified.
Then the Vandals replaced the Romans, followed by the Visigoths, th...
Royal Palace (Palacio Real de Madrid) – the largest of all the royal palaces in Europe existing today and one of the main attractions of Madrid. The palace is the official residence of the kings of Spain. However, now King Felipe VI does not live in it, and the palace is used for ceremonies and as one of the museums of Madrid.
National Museum of Prado — one of the largest and most important museums...
Bon. Once the capital of a duchy no less powerful than medieval France, Beaune is very picturesque and somewhat reminiscent of Bruges. Probably the tastes of the Duke of Burgundy, who owned a significant part of Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg, played an important role in its construction.
The old part is surrounded by a powerful wall of the 15th century, inside which – palaces, including the remai...