Dijon- 7-9 June

We picked Dijon as a place to stay because it is (sort of) halfway between the Black Forest and Lyon. Lyon is significant because that is where we flew out to Sicily - but more on that later.

This was the first non-river city we have visited so far, and it also seemed very, very French after Germany and the Alsace. It is very spread out, and we didn't get to see much, but what we did see was very impressive.

Probably our favourite place was actually under the Cathedrale St-Benigne. In 1002 a Romanesque church was built here which incorporated a three storey 17m rotunda - this church (and the one after it) were destroyed and the cathedral that is there now was built over the remains. The bottom level of the rotunda remained intact under the building and was rediscovered and excavated in the 19th century. It is a very eerie and impressive space to be in, and also has a sarcophagus containing the remains of St Benigne.

As always, we had a couple of great meals.  Our first meal out in particular was great fun.  We got to try out "random ordering" as there was not a word of English to be found.  The result was a delicious meal (the best scallops I've ever had), and we now know the french words for scallops and lamb!

On a side note - our trip through the Black Forest has made us very keen to see some more mountainy type scenery. It was at this point we decided that rather than going through more of France immediately after Sicily, we would head off the Alps! Blimey.

The square in front of the Palais des Ducs et des Etats de Bourgogne. Phew!

The Palais des......see caption above

We have been deciding on funerary statues/sarcophagi for when we shuffle off this mortal coil. The bar is getting raised pretty high.

The entrance into the crypt

The mosaics on the floor, which are original.

Looking into the rotunda.

Looking up into the rotunda itself - artificial light of course, now that it is under another building.

Figurative sculpture was a lost art when the mason carved this, so he practised on the other columns to get it right - this is his ninth try. I like it because it looks like a very French shrug, which is their response to most questions.

This is the original Roman chapel, which used to be at ground level. Old cities get built on the remains of older cities, and this is now 9 metres underground.

It also has an amazing tiled roof

This candle stick/clock in the Musee de la Vie Bourguignonne is so awesome that the guys in that painting on the wall can't take their eyes off it.

No, I don't know what is going on here either - towel holders?

The Grand Theatre

The back of the entry portico of the Hotel de Vogue

Remember the 'rolling hotel' I talked about in Freiburg - here it is! Yep, that is where they sleep. 

A traditional German snack - Hoppys

Dijon is not only the home of mustard, but also gingerbread or 'Le pain d'espices de Lyon'. I'm looking sad because it's delicious and this is the last one. Note to Sarah: yes, this is a much more delicious than those lollies we got you from Lyon for your birthday.