Notre Dame church and its Jacquemart

The Church of Notre-Dame and its Jacquemart, in Dijon

The Church of Notre-Dame is the oldest church of Dijon, a Gothic masterpiece famous for its Jacquemart clock and its lucky owl. The Dijon audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this emblematic sanctuary, rich in traditions.

The Gothic masterpiece, the Jacquemart and the owl

A masterpiece of thirteenth-century Gothic architecture, the Church of Notre-Dame is the oldest church of Dijon, completed around 1250. Its unique façade is distinguished by its rows of sculpted false gargoyles and its fine colonnettes. At the summit is the Jacquemart, a remarkable mechanical clock brought back from Flanders by Duke Philip the Bold: automaton figures strike the hours on a bell, a true Dijon institution. But the most famous curiosity of the church is its owl, a small stone figure sculpted on a buttress, that tradition invites to stroke with the left hand while formulating a wish, for it to come true. This owl has become one of the most loved symbols of Dijon. A major sanctuary and a place of traditions, the Church of Notre-Dame is discovered with respect.

What to see

You admire, with respect, the thirteenth-century Gothic masterpiece, the oldest church of Dijon, its unique façade with false gargoyles, the Jacquemart whose automatons strike the hours, brought back from Flanders by Philip the Bold, and the famous stone owl that you stroke with the left hand while making a wish. The Church of Notre-Dame is an emblematic sanctuary of Dijon. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The Church of Notre-Dame lies in the heart of the historic centre of Dijon, reachable on foot. A place of worship, it can be visited with respect for services; entry is generally free, but hours vary with celebrations. You admire the owl and the Jacquemart from outside; it is best to respect the sacred character of the place.

What is the owl of the Church of Notre-Dame of Dijon?

A small stone figure sculpted on a buttress of the church, that tradition invites to stroke with the left hand while formulating a wish for it to come true; it has become one of the most loved symbols of Dijon.

Where is the Church of Notre-Dame of Dijon?

In the heart of the historic centre of Dijon, in France.