Palais des ducs de Bourgogne

This sprawling palace at the heart of Dijon grew from the residence of the powerful medieval dukes of Burgundy into a grand classical complex fronting a semicircular royal square. Its oldest parts include a soaring ducal kitchen and a tall tower offering views over the city, while later wings house the town hall and the fine-arts museum. The dukes' ambitions once rivalled those of French kings, and their court's wealth is reflected in the surviving halls. The palace anchors the historic centre and its arc of dignified stone facades.