Colombiere Park, Dijon

Colombiere Park, Dijon

Established by Louis II de Bourbon in the 16th century and further developed by his grandson Henri-Jules, the Colombiere Park spreads over a rectangular area of 33 hectares on the banks of the Ouche River.

Established by Louis II de Bourbon in the 16th century and further developed by his grandson Henri-Jules, the Colombiere Park spreads over a rectangular area of 33 hectares on the banks of the Ouche River. On the other side of the river stands the Castel de la Colombiere, which is today home to the equestrian centre L'Etrier de Bourgogne.

Created in formal French garden style, Parc de la Colombiere is laid out symmetrically with 16 alleys (8 wide and 8 narrow) that radiate from a central roundabout and intersect an octagonal path around the verdant area. While the original plantations included yew, spruce, honeysuckle, perennial sunflowers and lilacs, today the collection of over 6000 trees comprises 1600 deciduous trees (lime, chestnut, oak, hornbeam, ash, maple) and some evergreens. The park has a Temple d'Amour (Temple of Love), an 18th century pavilion that formerly stood in the park of the castle of Bierre les Semur. You can also find a statue of Juno called the Capitol (Juno Cesi), which is a copy of a marble by Antoine-Henri Bertrand sculpted in 1783. An analemmatic sundial was set up in the park in 1827. There is a children’s playground and an animal enclosure. The park also has vestiges of the 1st century Roman road Via Agrippa which connected Lyon and Trier through Langres and Chalon-sur-Saône.

The park is a popular spot for families who bring their kids to explore the flora and fauna. Relax in the midst of the lush area with flowerbeds, and reconnect with nature.