Discover Dijon: The unsung French city with immortal charm, medieval mustard, and Gothic grandeur

Dijon mustard, a specialty rooted in the Middle Ages, is a piquant sauce served with nearly every French dish. This traditional condiment from ancient Rome combines ground mustard seeds with unfermented grape juice, vinegar, and honey. The first historical mention of Dijon mustard dates back to 1336.

Pioneering changes have enriched the specialty over centuries, thanks to Jean-Baptiste Naigeon in circa 1756. He innovatively substituted vinegar with must from immature grapes of a meticulously selected variety.

The Fallot factory, nestled in Beaune around 31 miles from Dijon, is one of France's most renowned mustard manufacturers. Incepted in 1840, another manufacturer, Fauroy, initiated its operations in Dijon, only to sell his life's work later on. After that, Develey took over more than 120 years later. Today, Develey's Reine de Dijon brand stands as the third-largest mustard producer in the country. In alignment with the theme of historical significance, Maille, another famous Dijon mustard producer, opened its very first store in 1747.

Dijon's glorious past is encapsulated in its countless historic buildings. Literature abounds with references to Gothic Dijon, and on exploring the city, it seems as if time has stood still. A plethora of significant historic buildings here warrant your visit.

You should not miss the Church of the Holy Virgin Mary. Its facade boasts as many as 50 gargoyles and beautiful stained glass windows. The Cathedral of St. Benignus, another gothic edifice, exhibits modest yet striking architecture.

Dijon, a student city, hosts the Fine Arts Academy, among other institutions. The University of Burgundy offers a range of disciplines, such as administration, agronomy, chemistry, history, physics, law, and philosophy.

Life in the city is animated by annual music festivals like the VYV Festival. It also has two cultural center squats - Les Tanneries, boasting a rich history, and Lentillères.

And of course, you can't overlook Dijon's wine. Vineyards envelop the city, and the finest grapevines thrive just a few miles away in Côte de Nuits.