Dijon hotels and sightseeing without car

Dijon is compact enough that you don't need a car to explore it. Its a delight to explore on foot, but becomes an impossible medieval labyrinth by car. Your hotel will probably have a free map showing all the sites of touristic interest, including the Ducal palace.

I can't remember the name of the place where I stayed, but it was quite cheap. Lonely Planet has a good listing of hotels in Dijon.

Semur is lovely, and has a dramatic setting. There is an infrequent bus from Montbard, an unattractive town that is the closest rail stop to the Fontenay Abbey, which you might also enjoy (cab from Montbard, unless you rent a car or walk.)

I suspect you would have to leave Dijon early to make Semur work as a day trip.

Unfortunately the train station in Dijon is outside the city center, so you can't sleep both near it and near the sights.

Tom--Thanks for the reassurance that Dijon is nice to explore on foot. I looked at Lonely Planet hotels but some other sources give them bad or mixed reviews, so I need to do more research.

Adam--In the Semur section of Lonely Planet it says Transco bus 49 goes to Dijon (1 1/4 hours) but only 2-3 buses daily. (I assume the same 2-3 buses go from Dijon to Semur.) Do you know about that route? Maybe we have to wait til we get to Dijon to get the schedule and see if the timing will work.

Pat, I had not heard of the bus from Dijon. (I also have to admit that I got to Semur by bicycle.) But googling Transco + Dijon + Semur + 49 finds this timetable.

Looks like that gives you a few options, though these buses don't run that often either.

That's great, Adam--thanks so much for linking the timetable. I've printed it out to take with us.