Tower of Philip the Good (Tour Philippe le Bon)
Climb 316 steps up the dukes' 46-metre tower for a sweeping view over Dijon's rooftops.
- Heritage site
- 44 min from Beaune
- Allow under 1 hour
- UNESCO World Heritage
€120one way from Beaune with a private driver
At a glance
- Where
- Dijon · Côte-d'Or
- Official website
- destinationdijon.com
Getting there
Private driver from Beaune: 44 min by road (48 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 Tour Philippe le Bon rises from the centre of the ducal palace. At 46 metres it was both a lookout and a statement of ducal power. A spiral staircase of 316 steps leads to a terrace with a 360-degree view over the glazed roofs and many steeples of old Dijon.
What you will see
The climb is guided, in a small group of up to 18 people, and takes less than an hour. You pause on the way, including at the 199th step, beside a small wooden door watched over by a carved bat. At the top, orientation tables help you read the view: the semicircular square below, the city's steeples, and on clear days the hills toward the Jura.
History
Philip the Good built the tower in the mid-15th century as part of his new ducal lodging, on the site of an older tower. Its lower floors served the ducal apartments, while the upper rooms were made for show, with a monumental fireplace on the top floor. The staircase is carved with vine branches, snails and the duke's emblem, the flint and steel, and ends under a fine rib vault.
Later centuries found new uses for the height. An observatory was installed at the top in the 18th century, and in the 19th century the tower carried a station of the Chappe optical telegraph. Today the tourist office runs small guided climbs every day. In season, some weekend visits end with an aperitif on the terrace, where kir is served.
Planning your visit
Tips for your visit
Climbs are guided only and are booked at the tourist office at 11 rue des Forges, next to the tower. There are several climbs a day, but groups are small, so book ahead in busy periods. The staircase is a narrow spiral, so good shoes help. Check the official website for times.
Around here
What to combine with Tower of Philip the Good on the same day, nearest first.
Dijon
1 km awayMarsannay-la-Côte
7 km awayFixin
10 km away
- Heritage site
Palace of the Dukes and Estates of Burgundy Palais des Ducs et des États de Bourgogne
1 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 Tower of Philip the Good
Questions
Tower of Philip the Good is about 44 min from Beaune by road (48 km). With a private driver, the trip from Beaune starts at €120 for the whole car, up to 4 guests.
Did you know? In the 19th century the top of the tower served as a station of the Chappe optical telegraph, which relayed messages across France by visual signals from tower to tower.
Sources
Tower of Philip the Good with a private driver
€120 one way from Beaune · up to 4 guests