Burgundy wine road, Dijon mustard, Jura mountains & cave art at Lascaux
Main city
Dijon
Budget level
Moderate budget
Best months
April, May, June
🎓 Student vibe
Dijon has a significant student population and an excellent quality of life — the Ducal Palace is free to visit, the food market is world-class, and the wine routes are cyclable from the city.
From paris
1h40 to Dijon
TGV Inouï direct
From lyon
1h45 to Dijon
TGV direct
From strasbourg
2h to Dijon
TGV via Besançon or direct
Journey times are approximate. Always check current schedules on sncf-connect.com.
60 km of vineyards between Dijon and Beaune, passing through the most famous wine villages in the world.
💡 Student tip
Rent a bike in Dijon for €15–20/day and follow the signposted Route. Many domaines offer free or €5 tastings — just turn up and knock at the door. Be respectful during harvest (September–October).
A beautifully preserved Ducal city with ornate Hôtel-Dieu, the Musée des Beaux-Arts in the Ducal Palace, and the famous covered market Les Halles.
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon is free of charge.
💡 Student tip
Musée des Beaux-Arts in the Palais des Ducs is free. Les Halles market (Victor Hugo) is the best place to try Dijon mustard, Époisses cheese, and pain d'épices at source.
The wine capital of Burgundy, with the extraordinary 15th-century hospice Hôtel-Dieu and its glazed polychrome tile roofs.
💡 Student tip
There is a ticket for the Hôtel-Dieu — check hoteldieu-beaune.com for student rates. The town itself and rampart walk are free. November brings the Hospices de Beaune wine auction — world-famous and open to watch.
A spectacular 3-hour hike beside seven waterfalls in the Jura forest, culminating at the 65-metre Éventail falls.
Hiking the waterfall trail is free.
💡 Student tip
Free hiking — just pay for parking if you drive. Take a picnic. The trail is well-marked but can be muddy; good boots essential.
The ruins of the largest church in medieval Christendom — the Cluniac monks' 11th-century abbey was larger than St Peter's in Rome until the Renaissance.
EU under-26: check before visiting at musees-bourgogne.fr — free entry may apply.
💡 Student tip
EU residents under 26 may be eligible for free entry — check musees-bourgogne.fr. The surrounding village of Cluny is charming and free to walk.
🎫 Student discounts in this region
Dijon's Musée des Beaux-Arts is free. Many national monuments may offer EU under-26 access — check monuments-nationaux.fr and individual museum sites. Burgundy wine tastings at small domaines are often free.
🚂 Travel tip
Dijon is an excellent rail hub. The Bourgogne-Franche-Comté TER offers regional day passes — check ter.sncf.com. The Jura is easier with a car, but buses link Lons-le-Saunier with Besançon.
Official sources
Last verified: 2025-09-01