Rooftops in Dijon: the city of the dukes seen from above
A Burgundian capital at the foot of the vineyards
Prefecture of the Côte-d'Or and capital of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, Dijon lies at the northern end of the wine-growing slope that runs towards Beaune, the famous “Route des Grands Crus”. Once the capital of the Duchy of Burgundy, the city enjoyed its golden age under the dukes of the House of Valois: Philip the Good had the ducal palace rebuilt here and, in 1432, chose his palace chapel as the seat of the Order of the Golden Fleece.
Dijon was one of the first cities in France to make its centre a protected heritage area, and since 2015 this historic centre has been part of the Climats, terroirs of Burgundy, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The city also cultivates its reputation for fine food, from mustard and gingerbread to crème de cassis.
Glazed roofs and bell towers
Seen from above, Dijon reveals one of its hallmarks: Burgundian roofs, covered in multicoloured glazed tiles laid in geometric patterns, which top the Hôtel de Vogüé, the Hôtel Aubriot and Saint-Bénigne Cathedral, among others. Nicknamed the “city of a hundred bell towers” under the Ancien Régime, Dijon raises above its roofs the spire of the Church of Notre-Dame, one of whose buttresses bears the famous owl that people stroke while making a wish, the towers of Saint-Bénigne and the copper dome of the Church of Sainte-Anne.
Where to get a view from above in Dijon
The pedestrian centre: Pica-Pica
Dijon still has very few true rooftops, and the address to remember is right in the pedestrian area. On the fourth floor of the Centre Dauphine, Pica-Pica opened a restaurant-bar with exotic decor in April 2026, extended by a large wooden terrace. On one side, the view stretches towards the Palace of the Dukes and the spire of Notre-Dame; on the other, towards the towers of Saint-Bénigne and the dome of Sainte-Anne. People head up from lunchtime until late in the evening, for tapas to share or a cocktail facing the roofs.
Heritage viewpoints
Lacking a wide choice of terraces up high, Dijon relies on its monuments. At the heart of the Palace of the Dukes and States of Burgundy, the Tour Philippe le Bon, built in the 15th century, rises 46 metres above the city. At the top of a spiral staircase of 316 steps, its terrace offers a 360-degree view over old Dijon, its slate and glazed-tile roofs and, in the distance, the first ridges of the Jura. The climb is made in small accompanied groups, by reservation with the nearby tourist office.
In the warmer months, on Friday and Saturday evenings, the tourist office also offers the Apéritifs de la Tour: after the climb, a blanc-cassis, appetisers and a gougère are served at the top. These evenings take place in the warmer months (from May to October in 2026).
Food and cocktails up high
World tapas and Burgundy wines
On the roof of the Centre Dauphine, Pica-Pica draws on cuisines from around the world: tapas to share, ceviches, tacos, salads, meat and fish, not forgetting generous desserts. As for drinks, most classic cocktails are priced at €12 and spritzes at €10, and the cellar boasts some 500 labels, including Burgundy wines served by the glass. At the top of the Tour Philippe le Bon, it is a blanc-cassis that accompanies the panorama.
Music and nights out
Pica-Pica stays open until 2am every day, and a DJ takes to the decks on Saturday evenings. The venue can also be hired, in whole or in part, for events.
A rooftop for every occasion
As a couple, with friends or with family
With friends, tapas and cocktails are happily shared on the terrace at the end of the day, before the music takes over at the weekend. For two, a table facing the bell towers never fails to impress. During the day, the climb up the Tour Philippe le Bon, offered every day, remains a fine way to read the city from above, with orientation tables to help.
From one viewpoint to the next on foot
The historic centre is easy to explore on foot, largely along pedestrian streets. Just a few minutes' walk separate the Centre Dauphine from the Palace of the Dukes: ideal for combining the climb up the tower in the late afternoon with a drink up on the roofs as night falls.
Tips for making the most of Dijon's heights
Choosing your time and booking
The terrace at Pica-Pica cannot be booked in advance, because of the weather: it is best to arrive early on fine days, while the dining room takes bookings for groups of five or more. For the Tour Philippe le Bon, where climbs are limited to small groups, booking is recommended, especially for the Apéritifs de la Tour, whose 8pm slot lets you enjoy the last light of the day when the weather allows.
Photo : Bernard Marti / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
