Colombière Park (Parc de la Colombière)
A 17th-century park laid out for the Princes of Condé, crossed by a Roman road.
- Nature and viewpoint
- 42 min from Beaune
- Allow 1 hour
- Dijon
€120one way from Beaune with a private driver
At a glance
- Official website
- dijon.fr
Getting there
Private driver from Beaune: 42 min by road (45 km), €120 one way for the whole car.
Or add it to our full-day wine tour, €560.
Coming by train or plane? Transfers from stations and airports →
About the place
The Parc de la Colombière is Dijon's great historic park, south of the centre beside the river Ouche. It was laid out in the 17th century for the Princes of Condé, governors of Burgundy, following the principles of Le Nôtre. Today its star of shaded alleys draws walkers, runners and families.
What you will see
Sixteen alleys radiate from a central roundabout, linked by an octagonal path and shaded by some 6,000 trees. Look for the rows of upright stones set in the ground: the foundations of the Roman road, visible nowhere else in Dijon. There are playgrounds, animal enclosures and a snack bar, and on some days you can hire rosalies, four-wheeled pedal carts.
History
Louis II de Bourbon, Prince of Condé, known as the Grand Condé and governor of Burgundy, created the park, and Henri-Jules de Bourbon continued the work. Le Nôtre sent one of his pupils, Antoine de Maerle, to Dijon. Planting went on through the 1680s: in 1683 alone, ten thousand hornbeam plants and 500 bundles of box. Once it was finished, the prince opened it to the people of Dijon.
The city acquired the park after the Revolution, and it has been listed as a historic monument since 1925. In 1965 a small classical temple of Love, moved from the château of Bierre-lès-Semur, was rebuilt here. The park also keeps remains of the Roman road that ran from Lyon to Trier through Chalon-sur-Saône, Dijon and Langres. In 1843 the gates and pavilions of the old toll house on Place Saint-Bernard were moved here to mark the main entrance.
Planning your visit
Tips for your visit
The park is free to enter and lies south of the city centre. Allow an hour for a relaxed loop, longer with children. It pairs well with the Consortium Museum, on the way back toward the centre. Check the official website for opening times.
Around here
What to combine with Colombière Park on the same day, nearest first.
Dijon
3 km awayMarsannay-la-Côte
5 km awayFixin
8 km away
- Christmas
Les Fééries de Noël de Dijon
Usually from the last Saturday of November to the first Sunday of JanuaryDijon - Tradition
Fête de la Pressée
Usually the third weekend of September, during the European Heritage DaysChenôve
Guides about Colombière Park
Questions
Colombière Park is about 42 min from Beaune by road (45 km). With a private driver, the trip from Beaune starts at €120 for the whole car, up to 4 guests.
Did you know? The park's alleys were drawn in line with the Castel de la Colombière on the far bank of the Ouche. The river was straightened, and a footbridge once led from the castle to the gardens.
Sources
Colombière Park with a private driver
€120 one way from Beaune · up to 4 guests