Dijon or Comar France, which to see for first-time visitor to France
May 25th, 2011, 11:10 AM
#1
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Dijon or Comar France, which to see for first-time visitor to France
My husband and I are visiting France for the first time in September. Besides spending quite a few days in Paris, we would like to visit a wine area in France. Which would be best - Dijon or Colmar. We like to stay in rather nice hotels/apartments. Thank you!
May 25th, 2011, 12:06 PM
#3
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I havent been to Colmar, but we loved Dijon. They have a great self-guided tour called the Owl Tour...its about €3 from the tourist office by the train station and shows you around Dijon, which is just lovely.
I am sure Colmar is lovely as well, tough choice!
I am sure Colmar is lovely as well, tough choice!
May 25th, 2011, 12:15 PM
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Another vote for Dijon "without hesitation"(but I don't know Colmar) and since jamikins mentioned the TO, here is their video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5CojSGoJ4k and website http://www.visitdijon.com/en/
Bon voyage wherever you choose!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5CojSGoJ4k and website http://www.visitdijon.com/en/
Bon voyage wherever you choose!
May 25th, 2011, 12:33 PM
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Colmar is a wonderful city, but if for the first time in France, more french would be Dijon......
Colmar is a city with a very strong german influence, being located in Alsace, which used to be part of Germany untill 1918 ( but also changed hands several times between France and Germany). Native Alsacians speak their own language, which is a german dialect ( even though it is spoken nowadays by less than 50% of adults), and the city looks very very german... most places have even german names that are being pronounced french....
So if i would be visiting France for the first time, after Paris Dijon would be a very nice choice.... as it is typical french !.
Colmar is a city with a very strong german influence, being located in Alsace, which used to be part of Germany untill 1918 ( but also changed hands several times between France and Germany). Native Alsacians speak their own language, which is a german dialect ( even though it is spoken nowadays by less than 50% of adults), and the city looks very very german... most places have even german names that are being pronounced french....
So if i would be visiting France for the first time, after Paris Dijon would be a very nice choice.... as it is typical french !.
May 25th, 2011, 12:36 PM
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I'm torn in answering this because I love both areas, and there is a wonderful apartment in Dijon www.myhomeindijon.com where we and many others here on Fodors have stayed!
OTOH, Colmar and environs give a completely different view of France since it is so heavily influenced by the German culture. And yet again, OTOH, of all the places in Alsace, I'm not sure Colmar would be my choice of towns.
OTOH, Colmar and environs give a completely different view of France since it is so heavily influenced by the German culture. And yet again, OTOH, of all the places in Alsace, I'm not sure Colmar would be my choice of towns.
May 25th, 2011, 04:13 PM
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What types of wine are you looking for? Have you investigated the various vineyards and the varieties they have?
We adored Colmar - although we were staying in Strasbourg - but we love the local whites - esp Gewurztraminer.
Dijon is also a very cute town - but we preferred Alsace.
We adored Colmar - although we were staying in Strasbourg - but we love the local whites - esp Gewurztraminer.
Dijon is also a very cute town - but we preferred Alsace.
May 25th, 2011, 05:55 PM
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I've never been to Colmar but we loved Dijon. I don't think Coco is allowed to mention it, but I am. You should check out her apartment at myhomeindijon.com. It's a charming apartment in a great location and Coco will make your visit perfect. I also agree with jamikins about the Owl Tour. It's fun and interesting and you can do it at your own speed, stopping for many glasses of wine and sweets. Try to get to Dijon on market day -- the market is great.
(Coco, PLEASE do not post that video of us in Dijon!)
(Coco, PLEASE do not post that video of us in Dijon!)
to apologize!
May 27th, 2011, 03:17 AM
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use dijon railway station to go to burgundy
hire a car through auto europe from dijon and move south towards gevrey chambertin,the first village
after the built up area of dijon which is a mess at present with the tramway roadworks,
you have some 60kms of wine route,passing nuits saint georges to reach beaune to finish in santenay
hire a car through auto europe from dijon and move south towards gevrey chambertin,the first village
after the built up area of dijon which is a mess at present with the tramway roadworks,
you have some 60kms of wine route,passing nuits saint georges to reach beaune to finish in santenay
May 27th, 2011, 05:12 PM
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Thank you for everyone's comments. We have decided on the Burgundy area. Now we just need to decide between Dijon and Beaune. We do like the feeling of small towns and walking. How should we decide between the 2 towns? BTW - Coco's apartment is booked for the time we will be there - maybe next year?
