Notre-Dame de Dijon
Notre-Dame de Dijon is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Dijon audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~45 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type religious
- Suggested visit ~45 min
- Dijon Dijon guide
About Notre-Dame de Dijon
One of the finest Gothic churches in Burgundy, with an extraordinary facade of three tiers of false gargoyles and a jacquemart bell-ringing mechanism, and the famous carved owl of Dijon on its north wall.
Notre-Dame de Dijon is considered one of the finest Gothic churches in Burgundy, built in the remarkable short period of 1220-1240, giving it an unusual stylistic coherence. Its most distinctive feature is its west facade, which has three tiers of false gargoyles (51 in total) that serve no structural purpose, purely decorative, they were added simply to create a spectacular visual effect, and the horizontal bands of stone above them heighten this impression of layered, almost theatrical decoration. The church also features a jacquemart: a mechanical figure on the church's tower that strikes the bell on the hour. The original jacquemart was looted from Courtrai (Belgium) by Philip the Bold after his victory there in 1382, giving Dijon's clock-man a Belgian origin. On the north wall of the church, at ground level, is the famous Owl of Dijon (la chouette): a small carved owl that Dijonnais traditionally stroke for good luck. The owl has become the symbol of the city, and the tourist trail through central Dijon is known as the "chouette trail" (sentier de la chouette). Inside, the church contains a beautiful 11th-century Black Madonna and various medieval artworks.
Did you know? Notre-Dame de Dijon's 51 false gargoyles are purely decorative, playing no role in draining rainwater. The medieval originals were removed around 1240 after a falling figure reportedly killed a man below; the present carvings were made during the 1880-1882 restoration.
How long should you spend at Notre-Dame de Dijon?
Plan about ~45 min at Notre-Dame de Dijon. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Notre-Dame de Dijon worth visiting?
Notre-Dame de Dijon is one of the 18 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Dijon, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Dijon
Hear the story of Notre-Dame de Dijon
Preview the Dijon tour free in the Gingerguide app.