Dijon for Kids
 

We are considering spending a few days in Burgundy the first week of August and basing ourselves in Dijon. We originally considered going to Provence and still really want to go there, but it is just too far from Luxembourg. Seven hours on a train would cost us a whole day. So Dijon it is. What are some good activities for kids in and around Dijon?

I have a six year-old son and a one year-old daughter. We went to London, Normandy and Bruges last summer, Paris over spring break, and Luxembourg three times. We will start our trip in Luxembourg and would like to fly out from or via CDG. My son loved the Louvre, D'Orsay, Luxembourg Gardens, the Military Museum, Invasion Beaches, Imperial War Museum, various castles, and all the playgrounds.

Thanks for the help.

ttt

Dijon's art museum is world class. If your son loved the Louvre he'll enjoy this one.

The archeological museum under the cathedral might be fun. With a gravel floor and lots of tombstones and stone carvings it has a deliciously spooky feel to it. Especially if you're in it practically by yourself as I was.

I liked climbing the Tour de Philippe. It affords grand vistas over the city. You can see some great examples of glazed-tile roofs.

If the weather is nice there should be boat tours along the canal.

The museum of Burgundy life has a great collection of farm implements, old clothing and the like. One floor has a main street set up like it used to be a hundred years ago. Interesting displays of a furrier, milliner, drug store, etc.

There's a botanical garden with a natural history museum I did not have time to visit. Usually the gardens have a play area for the kids. The sacred object museum was closed for renovation when I was there almost exactly a year ago. I did not see the mustard museum either.

Don't forget to rub the small chouette (owl) carved in the side of one of the churches. It's supposed to bring good luck.

DanM: The above advice from Indy travel is spot on. If you need more suggestions, I suggest you contact Cocofromdijon, who is a regular on the Forum. She lives in Dijon, and was in the hotel business there. She has been most helpful in sending me information on lodging, the new free bus for tourist, maps, places to eat, etc., etc.

We will be in Dijon briefly in September on our way to a week on the canals. She even offered to abandon her kids for a while and drive our party from Dijon to Pontailler-sur-Saone to pick up our canal boat. I'm sure she would be willing to help you find things your kids would enjoy, and help you find a place to stay.

CORINNE, ARE YOU THERE???

:-)

Thanks for the great replies. They are appreciated.

I actually posted this hoping she would respond. We shall see.

here I am! ;-)
my angel nukesafe told me I could help here... I think indytravel told the most of it. (the owl is on Notre Dame church).The botanical garden should suit them, it is not far from the railway station. The Magnin Museum is also very nice, paintings and ancient furnished apartments.
Lake Kir (4km round)where there is now Dijon plage in summer, nice walk.
to have more fun and if they like water, there are 2 aqua parcs. I worked in both of them and I would advise to take them to Oxygene, easy to reach by bus and next to a big shopping mall and a big park.indoor and outdoor pools, slides, jaccuzzi.... Holiday Inn next to it (family rooms with 2 large beds)
the other one "cap vert" is a bit more outside dijon but reachable by bus as well. bigger outdoor pool, restaurant, 2*hotel.
Since you have no car, you should stay in town. I can't suggest you my flat as it is only for 2 but you should call the tourist office to ask them the names of hotels whch have family rooms. If I remember well at the Mercure hotel (Accor) we could take 3 persons in some rooms, maybe with a baby cot as well. I don't know your hotel budget...
I'll try to think of others things!
before coming you can have a look at my photo album (Dick I've added the port pictures)
http://www.ofoto.fr/BrowsePhotos.jsp...id=43499444733

I forgot, have a look at www.cotedor-tourisme.com
http://www.cotedor-tourisme.com/gb/o...ez/reponse.php choose on the menu (right)what you want to see (park for ex) and then dijon. full of info! :-)

ttt

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

my pleasure! :-)

Hi Dan! still planning to go to Dijon or Provence then?
let us know! August is almost there, don't forget the suntan lotion and((H))!
have a great trip!

So sorry, Coco. We were in Provence when you posted the last message. However, we are once again looking at Burgundy for this June. I think it will be Burgundy or Dordogne.

Hi Dan, thanks for giving news! I forgive you for Provence, hope you enjoyed it. Did you make a trip report?

Now you have to choose between Burgundy and Dordogne. I wouldn't like to be in your mind! ;-)
good luck but whatever you choose you'll like it.

Happy travels :-)
coco

I found this link about Burgundy very interesting.
http://tinyurl.com/ba3w3
:-)

ttt for Dan who is around... ;-)

Thanks, Coco. The hardest part about making these trips is deciding what to do. I want to go to Burgundy, but I think Dordogne would be better for everyone. We would have fun in Dijon, etc. and it is certainly easier to get to from Luxembourg. If we go to dordogne, we lose a whole day (a Sunday) travelling from Luxembourg to get there. I like to minimize the airports/train stations as much as possible mainly becuase of our soon to be two year old. Still teribly conflicted. What a great problem to have.

Coco:

Another question. Do you know how I might discover what fair and festivities will be taking place the last week of June in Burgundy?

Thanks,
Dan

Have a look here : http://www.burgundy-tourism.com/eve/index.htm

There is also an agenda on dijon.fr

try this link before you go to France to get updated info :
http://www.cotedor-tourisme.com/inde...04&srub=01
I'll try to find so more. :-)
I thought you had chosen Dordogne and I can understand, but in both case you'll miss something!

Not yet. That is the feedback I received from most who were kind enough to take the time to respond, but no rooms have been reserved or flights paid for at this time.