It imposes, the palace of the dukes and states of Burgundy, in Dijon (Côte-d’Or). By its size, its presence, and the rich history of which it is the bearer.
Emblematic of Dijon, it has been listed as a historical monument since the 19th century.
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Philippe the Bold begins …
The man who is at the origin of its construction: Duke Philippe le Bold.
From 1365, he had a palace built, with a large tower called the Bar Tower. On the site of an old castrum.
This palace becomes the seat of the Duchy of Burgundy. An architectural ensemble that lives up to its ambitions.
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… Philippe le Bon continues
Duke Philippe le Bon then continued his work. The main building was built between 1450 and 1456. With the apartments of the Duke and Duchess, a large room for receptions, the room of jewels… And a 46-meter high tower, known as the Philippe le Bon tower.
Ducal kitchens are a remarkable example of medieval kitchens. With an eight-pointed vault, and six monumental fireplaces.
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A Renaissance gallery
In 1477, Burgundy was attached to the kingdom of France. The ducal hotel then became the home of the king and the governor of the province.
And the expansion and embellishment work resumed. Under the leadership of the governors of Burgundy.
In 1614, a new building was erected: the Bellegarde gallery. In a Renaissance style, which contrasts with the Gothic architecture of the other buildings.
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Complete restructuring
In the 17th and 18th centuries, extensive restructuring of the palace. Begun in 1681, the site lasted more than a century. Under the direction of renowned architects. Like Jules Hardouin-Mansart, the king’s first architect. Which notably sets up a Royal Square, with a large arcaded hemicycle.
A palace of states was built to receive the assembly of the three orders of society: nobility, clergy and third estate.
A ceremonial staircase gives access to this state room. Its particularity: a structure with two straight flights between stands. Which free up a large space below, where the archives are housed.
Other buildings that came out of the earth at this time: a chapel of the elected officials, and a wing intended for a drawing school.
Some medieval buildings are then wrapped in a classic dressing. This gives a stylistic unity to the whole.
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The palace today
In 1831, the palace became the town hall. Function that it still retains today. The marriage hall occupies the vaulted ground floor of the first ducal dwelling.
The prestigious buildings also house the municipal archives and the tourist office.
And also the Museum of Fine Arts in Dijon (https://beaux-arts.dijon.fr), which presents masterpieces from the end of the Middle Ages.
In the recumbent room stand two tombs: that of Philippe the Bold, and that of John the Fearless and Marguerite of Bavaria. Exceptional works. Artistically and historically.
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