Best base for Burgundy visit -- Beaune or Dijon?
 

After visiting the Loire Valley, we will be spending 2 days, 3 nights in Burgundy. Which town would serve as a better base for us, Beaune or Dijon? After touring Burgundy, we will head back to Paris.

Also, since we'll have our 13-year-old son with us, I'd like to find some interesting places involving food, such as cheese-making, bakeries, etc., since he's a foodie. He'll already be visiting wineries with us, but it would be fun to find tours where he can taste the wares. Any suggestions?

Both are foodie havens and while Beaune is an absolute must visit, I think tourist friendly Dijon is a better base. Dijon has a large and wonderful market.

I think with a 13 year old Dijon would offer more choices and be more lively. Dont forget to stop at the tourist office there and buy the Owl Tour booklet (about €2). Its a self guided tour through town.

Some information. www.burgundyeye.com

The Owl's trail is even better now since they added 3 new walks to the 22 stages (Rousseau loop, Zola loop and Moses loop)so it should keep you and your son quite busy for a while. The price is now 3.5€ (was 2.5€) Jamikins you'll have to come back to check what you missed ;)
As for cheese making you can make a morning visit to Gaugry factory in Brochon, South of Dijon. http://www.fromageriegaugry.fr
Have fun!

Dijon, it is! Thanks, everyone for the great information, I really appreciate it.

you are better off using beaune as a base
dijon is a mess at present with the tram roadworks
you have the wine route north as far as gevrey chambertin
do not go futher as it becomes built up
from beaune towards the south you may go as far as santenay
you have a tasting lunch place in puligny montrachet for whites and one in aloxe corton for reds and whites-closed on sundays and mondays

you are better off using beaune as a base
dijon is a mess at present with the tram roadworks
you have the wine route north as far as gevrey chambertin
do not go futher as it becomes built up
from beaune towards the south you may go as far as santenay
you have a tasting lunch place in puligny montrachet for whites and one in aloxe corton for reds and whites-closed on sundays and mondays

I don't know when you are going. I vote for Dijon as a base. You can still do Beaune from there. I always love Dijon and not getting tired of going there after 2 visits.