Dijon

This is a post I’ve ben meaning to write for a loooooong time, so here it is, Monsieur Bouc, Champagne!

Dijon. Oh Dijon. We’ve been considering living there some years ago which, those who know us well know, is our way of saying that the place is just absolutely first rate. Still is. They’ve polished it since those few years back, and cleaned it’s cobbled streets and put flowerbeds everywhere. They added gimmicks like the Cité de la Gastronomie et du Vin, and modernised the Musée des Beaux Arts, yet, Dijon was beautiful even before that. She kept her head high in dignity through all the times, glory and ruin likewise, because after all, she is the capital of an old and notable kingdom, a kingdom that notably never dies.

Going down to Dijon, from the outskirts of this our kingdom, so to speak, to its centre, always is a happy event, and we love to visit our old hides and new ones, a choice selection of magical, wonderful and more often than not tasty things. So here we go:

Truffles. This is a Burgundy thing, oh so good, so whenever you’re in Dijon please don’t forget to stop at Yann’s truffle shop, it’s heaven!
Speaking food, what about macarons? The ones from Jonathan Pautet are our favourites. Besides, everything else is, well put it like this: I wouldn’t mind if they accidentally locked me up in the shop over night.
More food, let’s begin with our classic almost favourite lunch spot, this is the Maison des Cariatides, everything is absolutely top and soooo good. Very French and a little chichi but not too much so they’re still firmly rooted to the ground, just the way we like it. Personally dying for their scallops, mouthwatering even just writing about it!
While we love the Cariatides, our really favourite lunch spot is, drumrolls, the Little Italy. Now, mind, us living on the outskirts of the kingdom, where Italy probably has not yet been discovered, let alone her food. Like every sensible human being I really do crave Italian food sometimes, like real good Italian food, not the instant weird stuff they’re serving everywhere now, and going down to Dijon gives us a chance to indulge in it. Real pizza and real pasta. And real coffee! Also the tiramisu, oh God. It’s nicest in summer sitting outside under the marquee on the sidewalk eating and drinking and watching the world pass by.
I love glittery things, and vintage things, and the best ones are to be found at Monsieur Todesco’s shop around the corner, old fashioned vintage jewellery and antiques, choice Swiss watches and pearls from Arabia, pretty much everything that makes one’s heart beat.
Speaking of watches, there’s a rabbit hole down to Alice a few steps down the cobbled street, it’s called Au Sablier, and it’s a watchmaker’s shop. I’ll say nothing more because you simply have to discover the magic by yourself.
Another movie setting worthy shop is the Pharmacie La Croix Blanche, an absolutely charming old fashioned pharmacy with an in-house production of fantastic beauty and health products. I swear by their cold cream in winter, also available online by the way!
We never leave without paying a visit to the best bakery in town chez Fremont, getting some tasty olive bread for apero and something sweet to get home to. My favourite: their tarte tropezienne.
Speaking of apero, last but not least, a special mention goes to Monsieur Moutarde. They make cocktails, proper cocktails, aaaaand, another drumroll, an absolutely smashing truffle cocktail. Who’d have thought.