Dijon : 2013-04

After visiting the winery, we had a great supper and retired. The next day, I stayed in Dijon while my friends drove to another town (I took the SNCF TGV). By the way, I love taking the train. You can arrive about 10 minutes before your departure, walk in, sit down, and enjoy the ride. These trains go about 320 km/hr (200 miles an hour in a train), awesome!

I used the morning and early afternoon to see what I could in Dijon. In summary, I like Dijon - it's nice. The weather was perfect and being Sunday, the streets were almost empty. I wouldn't mind if my school was in Dijon. I had a cool map which included the Owl Trail (le parcours de la chouette) so I followed it. It's marked by these petites chouettes (below)...

My first stop was Cathédrale St Benigne. I love the look of certain buildings from a low perspective. It really makes an imposing effect and it always reminds how much work is involved in making a building - especially in stone. It's amazing!

These shots are just to show how old the town is. Dijon was Dijon was largely spared the destruction of wars such as the 1870 Franco-Prussian War and the Second World War so many of the old buildings are undamaged. On the left, the cool corner piece is on the Palais de Justice.

These shots are as I approached the Notre-Dame (yes, there are more than one Notre-Dames in France). I thought the church between some medieval buildings was a cool shot. On the right, I wanted to capture the roof designs on several buildings in Dijon. They are a cool touch.

A couple more look-up shots of the Notre-Dame

Here is the church's front with it's famous 51 gargoyles. Inside the cathédrale on the right.

Part of the Owl Train (possibly the most popular part) is the little Owl itself. I actually missed it and had to backtrack. It's pretty small as you can see with my hand for scale. It's on the north side of the church. Below, the front from a different angle and a shot with a bird. Yes, it's just a stupid pigeon, but I thought it was a cool pic.

 

This is a cool building. And what a great day it was.

Luckily I had more time after the Owl Trail so I visited the Musée des Beaux-Arts located near the Place de la Libération. I'm not sure, but I think it was free to visit! Very nice and the collection was pretty large.

I the very first room, I found this incredible sculpture. It was l'Écorché by Ligier Richier. The word écorché was something new for me, and it translates to "tormented soul, skinned anatomical figure, or flayed man" depending on context. You would probably recognize some écorché sketches by da Vinci. The statue above (circa 1547) was most impressive to me. The detail and accuracy are amazing and it's carved from stone! An interesting addition is there are some worms on the skin. Morbid? Not to me, it's anatomy to me. Far right is another écorché by Richier, Le Transi de René de Chalon, Church of St. Étienne, Bar-le-Duc, France.

Up next, I took this picture (left) of David vainqueur (David victorious) by Antonin MERCIÉ (1845-1916). I have an interest in Davids and although this one isn't as famous as those in my Surprise of David, he reminded me of them. You can't see it as it's missing, but David is in the process of returning his sword to its sheath. On the right, is a great sculpture by François RUDE. Mercure rattachant ses talonnières après avoir tranché la tête d'Argus (Mercury attaching his heel wings after having cut the head of Argus), 1837, bronze. This picture doesn't do it justice, but I loved the movement, the sleekness, and the lines. There is another Mercury by RUDE in the Louvre and that seems to be the only one I can find pictures of on the web. RUDE has some pretty famous work.

Something you don't see everyday in a painting. This is Saint Fridolin accompanied by the dead he resurrected. Not familiar with the legend.

Above, is an incredibly realistic painting by Auguste Mathieu (1807-1862). La Salle des Gardes au musée de Dijon en 1847, huile sur toile, 1847. The salle has changed a little, but still exists.

There was another François RUDE, Hebe et l'aigle de Jupiter...

I think birds are amazing and this eagle and his wings were incredible. And out of marble, no less! And just across from Hebe was this Gladiateur combattant (lower right), by Pierre PETITOT (1760-1840), marble, 1786. The details, the muscles and the active pose are incredible.

This was a great visit and I would recommend Dijon to anyone.