In Might 2022, a brand new cultural attraction opened in Dijon: La Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin— in English, it means “The Worldwide Metropolis of Gastronomy And Wine”. An extended identify and a big venue, masking an space of 6.5 hectares (16 acres). Right here you may study all about French meals and wine and the gastronomy of France. It’s a foodie’s paradise. On this put up, I share what I appreciated and what stunned me.
1. La Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin In Dijon
It’s free to stroll round La Cité and the one paid half is to go to the 4 exhibition areas which have quite a few interactive shows. Locals and guests like to discover the gastronomic village, decide up some groceries within the specialty meals outlets, and have a meal at one of many many eating places. Additionally they go to the cinema, go to the bookstore, attend a wine tasting or tour, or take a course on the Ferrandi Paris cooking college or on the École des vins de Bourgogne to study wine.
There’s a historic uniqueness to this complicated. It’s situated on the grounds of the town’s former hospital the place 2 historic chapels which were deconsecrated stay. (They’re now not used for spiritual functions). One dates again to 1459.
2. UNESCO World Heritage Recognition
It’s no shock that La Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin in Dijon was created in view of France is understood for meals and wine. Gastronomy in France has been acknowledged by UNESCO.
(a) Gastronomic Meal of the French (UNESCO 2010)
Do you know that the “Gastronomic Meal of the French” was added to the UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage Of Humanity listing in 2010? UNESCO talks in regards to the bringing collectively of household and pals and the right choice of dishes, the pairing of meals and wine, and the construction of the meal (ie. apératif, 4 programs, cheese, dessert).
(b) The Baguette (UNESCO 2022)
In November 2022, one other merchandise was added to the listing: the baguette! UNESCO World Heritage acknowledged the significance of “artisanal know-how and tradition of baguette bread” the place solely 4 components (flour, water, salt and leaven, and/or yeast) are utilized by a baker who makes use of “particular data and strategies.”
3. At The French Desk: Celebrating Gastronomy In France
The shows and data within the 4 exhibition areas at La Cité are extraordinarily nicely performed and colourful. The intent is to let you know in regards to the French gastronomic meal (previous and current) and immerse you with all the knowledge and details you’d discover fascinating about meals and wine. It’s executed with multimedia shows and actions for adults and youngsters. Instructional? Sure. Boring? No.
The whole complicated could be very eclectic and is a must-see if you find yourself in Dijon. It’s the chance to have a good time the world of French gastronomy and wine and uncover the “joie de vivre” (pleasure of life).
4. Everlasting Exhibition #1: The Little Theatre Of Positive Meals And Drink
This primary exhibit introduces you to the French gastronomic meal and the vocabulary utilized in French eating.
There are lots of shows corresponding to an entire part on desk manners or the evolution of eating by way of the ages, the place you see the completely different tableware used all through the centuries. After all, there may be an in depth dialogue in regards to the holy trio of bread, wine, and cheese and ‘The French Love Affair With Cheese”.
5. Everlasting Exhibition #2: In The Kitchen
On this exhibition, you’re taking a tour of the market, study in regards to the significance of produce, and use one’s senses within the preparation, cooking, and consuming of a meal. There are challenges and video games to encourage you to study meals, wine aromas, flavors, and even kitchen instruments and utensils.
(a) Which Pot Is Heavier?
One exercise had you guessing which pot was the heaviest with a dialogue about using copper, stainless-steel, or copper pots and pans. And whereas there’s a lot of science and details concerned in these shows, they’ve made studying enjoyable with challenges and hands-on actions.
(b) Exercise: Panic In The Kitchen
Among the finest interactive actions I attempted was referred to as, “Panique en Delicacies”—Panic within the Kitchen! It’s an immersive sport of types and it was a riot. No actual meals. Your culinary expertise to create a dish are put to the check and it’s a possibility to do some digital cooking.
- I first had to decide on my identify after which I used to be assigned my activity and directed to my meals station. I can’t keep in mind why I selected “Misplaced Pie” as my identify; nevertheless, my activity was to make a chocolate mousse.
- At my meals station, there was a range, oven, and fridge stuffed with meals. However all the things was “digital”… ”as if” you had the bodily objects.
- It’s important to observe the directions on the stovetop in your cooking space similar to following a recipe.
- The directions outlined the instruments, utensils, dishes, and components you would wish for every step and you’d be instructed the place to search out them. For the components, you needed to “nearly” retrieve the suitable objects from the fridge.
- In making my mousse I used to be instructed to chop the butter with my finger and add the correct quantity of chocolate.
- I then needed to stir the chocolate over the stovetop for the correct quantity of time till it bubbled (it really appeared prefer it did!). It’s such as you’re doing it for actual! And sure, it was aggravating being the chef!
Should you’re with a bunch it could be a enjoyable exercise to compete with each other to see who may full their recipe first.
6. Everlasting Exhibition #3: La Chapelle des Climats et des Terroirs
The Chapel of Climats and Terroirs is situated in La Grande Chapelle—which dates again to 1504. In the midst of the nineteenth century, the Grand Chapel occupied a part of the hospital’s sick ward and afterward, renovations have been performed to revive the church. Solely the pulpit and stalls remained after the church was deconsecrated in 2015.
The chapel has now been remodeled into an exhibition area. Massive photos are projected on the partitions and fashions and shows across the church promote the terroirs and gastronomy of Dijon and the Burgundy space. The shows have been good however I discovered after some time, it was an excessive amount of info that bored me a bit.
The Different Chapel
The opposite chapel within the courtyards of the Dijon’s former metropolis hospital is Chapelle Sainte-Croix de Jérusalem. It dates again to 1459 and its restoration was rewarded in 2023 with the Heritage Ribbon Prize. You may go to it at no cost however it’s essential to get a ticket prematurely.
7. Particular Non permanent Exhibition
In 2023, there’s a particular exhibition at La Cité de la Gastronomie in Dijon and it’s sponsored by the world-renowned French pastry chef, Pierre Hermé. It’s referred to as “La pâtisserie, c’est pas du gâteau! Les Secrets and techniques de la Patisserie Française” (Pastry- it’s not cake! Secrets and techniques of French Patisserie). It’s an exhibition in regards to the truffles and pastries for which France is so well-known. (Shows about truffles and pastries from different nations are additionally highlighted). I hope they prolong the run of this exhibition as a result of it’s amusing and vibrant.
There are enjoyable info boards and colourful shows on this part, corresponding to:
- an enormous macaron show
- a gorgeous pâte a choux exhibit and rationalization of how this well-known dough (that’s used to make profiteroles and different desserts) originated
- whimsical artworks by artists corresponding to Vincent Olinet: Spring Extravaganza-frosted with powdered strawberry and coated with pistachio-mint glaze
- necessary components of the pastry chef’s uniform
- recommendation from Pierre Hermé to younger pastry cooks (ie. “Thou shalt go straightforward on sugar” and “Thou shalt create feelings along with your truffles”)
8. Le Village Gastronomique
Within the heart of La Cité de la Gastronomie in Dijon is a real village the place yow will discover fishmongers, butchers, gourmand outlets, and eating places. The main target is on specialties of the area and it’s an particularly well-liked place to have brunch, notably on the weekend. After I was there on a weekday it was nearly abandoned. Outlets and eating places have been open, however what stunned me was that there definitely weren’t many guests. To be honest, I visited after lunch; nevertheless, I used to be fairly stunned because it was early June…not the center of winter!
Among the highlights embody La Cave de la Cité, an impressive wine cellar that has over 3000 bottles of wine—-1/3 from Burgundy, 1/3 from France, and 1/3 from the remainder of the world. Wine might be ordered by the glass.
Le Comptoir de la Cité and La Desk des Climats
After I visited, it was nicely previous lunchtime and plenty of eating places didn’t appear like they have been serving any meals so I had a chew on the terrace on the brasserie, Le Comptoir de la Cité, which is the restaurant close to the doorway to La Cité: a glass of Bourgogne Aligoté and a vegetarian salad (excellent: couscous, carrots, feta, nuts) got here to 11€.
Le Comptoir de la Cité is headed by Culinary Director, Éric Pras (3-star Michelin chef from Maison Lameloise), who additionally runs the very prestigious, La Desk des Climats on web site. This can be a “Vinostronomic” restaurant that pairs meals and wines—from the gathering of fifty Burgundy Grands Crus wines—by the glass. It’s the chance to expertise the true French Gastronomic Meal by chef Kévin Julien.
9. Lyon And Bordeaux
Dijon does have some competitors within the space of meals and wine. So for those who occur to be in Lyon or Bordeaux, do take a look at these websites.
(a) Cité de la Gastronomie de Lyon
Within the Fall of 2019, Lyon’s Grand Lodge-Dieu opened the Cité de la Gastronomie de Lyon and sadly needed to shut down in the course of the pandemic. It’s again open and it’s an enormous space that has a 5-star lodge, outlets, eating places, workplaces, residences, and even a conference heart.
Like Dijon’s heart, Lyon’s has a everlasting exhibition referred to as, “Bonnes Tables, Belles Tables” celebrating the gastronomic meal of the French. A short lived exhibition referred to as, “Banquet” takes you on a multi-sensory journey from the kitchen to the feast. It ends in early November. There are additionally workshops for youngsters and adults, meals demonstrations, and guided excursions (French solely). The doorway price is 7 €.
(b) Bordeaux’s Cité du Vin
As I wrote on this put up about Bordeaux’s La Cité du Vin, this web site promotes all the things to do with wine.
La Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin
Handle: 12 parvis de l’Unesco, 21000 Dijon, France
Hours: Tuesdays-Sundays, 10:00-6:00 pm
Observe: The Gastronomic Village and most bars and eating places are open day by day and have extra in depth hours.
Price: It’s free to wander round La Cité; nevertheless, the fee to discover the 4 exhibitions and reveals is 9 €. On the time, I used to be additionally given a selection of a small reward….I selected a mustard by Edmond Fallot. For an extra value, you can even have a Burgundy wine tasting.
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