Steeped in history and wrapped in understated luxury, Dijon’s Grand Hôtel de la Cloche delivers gilded salons, a secret garden, and one of Burgundy’s most indulgent spas—making it far more than just a place to sleep between wine tastings.

Hotel Review with Photos: The Grand Hôtel de la Cloche in Dijon, France (2025)

Highs: The place and the view from the hotel are a beautiful postcard.

Lows: None.

Verdict: The staff of the hotel are caring and aware of any little details, beddings are perfect. The "human size" of the hotel makes it more under control so everything is perfect to the details.

The Room to Get: Superior Room

Editor’s Note
This article was originally written in French. The English translation is provided for convenience and is edited for clarity.

Arrival in Dijon and First Impressions

Grand Hôtel de la Cloche. Image: Dan Latif.

The first few steps into Dijon can be disorienting for tourists arriving via the train station. After strolling along this garden, whose emblem is a polar bear, one is struck by the theatricality that reigns over Place Darcy.

An Arc de Triomphe serves as the gateway to the heart of old Dijon, a cinema with a picturesque façade, and above all, the Grand Hôtel la Cloche, an institution with a façade reminiscent of a château-palace.

Originally opened in 1884, the site of the Grand Hôtel de la Cloche has hosted inns and hotels since the 15th century. Now its operated as part of the MGallery Hotel Collection, a premium boutique brand within the Accor hospitality group.

Grand Hôtel de la Cloche by Night. Image: Philippe Louzon.

The historic hotel went under a significant renovation between 2014 and 2016, led by the interior design firm Studio ADN with the direction of Frédéric Grosjean. Additionally, the hotel's historic façade was enhanced by renowned lighting designer Alain Guilhot, known for his work on iconic landmarks such as the Croisette in Cannes and Tiananmen Square. By night, the hotel is an important contribution to the perspective of central Dijon.

An Institution of Heritage and Art

The Grand Hôtel de la Cloche, or "La Cloche" to its close friends, is more than just a five-star hotel. This listed building embodies a vibrant atmosphere on par with the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy. "This place, which has a strong artistic influence, is a perfect setting where one can enjoy sharing and creating a truly poetic moment," explains Anouchka Dagaeff, Head of Reception.

Lobby of the Grand Hôtel de la Cloche. Image: Dan Latif.

Upon entering, one's gaze falls upon the majestically enthroned chandelier. Opposite, a portrait of Gustave Eiffel, a renowned Dijon resident, painted by artist Yan Pei-Ming, a graduate of the Dijon Fine Arts School and a resident of Dijon since the last century.

The lobby, illuminated by its large bay windows, is naturally divided into four different nooks, like small open lounges, a sort of open-plan antechamber, leading respectively to the restaurant, the bar, or the rooms.

Superior Room at The Grand Hôtel de la Cloche

Hallway at the Grand Hôtel de la Cloche. Image: Dan Latif.

Head to the rooms, with the elevator that rewards you with a chime as the doors open: "Dang, ding, dong!" Step onto the carpeted floor and immerse yourself in literary classics with poems by Alphonse Lamartine or excerpts from Colette's novels. Dreamers will be captivated by the paintings along the corridors. Surprising pieces appear, reproduction of masterpieces such as "Repose" by Jean-François Colson, a Dijon painter.

Superior Room at the Grand Hôtel de la Cloche. Image: Dan Latif.

Entering the Superior Room is truly epic, especially when you see this enlarged drawing of a Study of an Ear and Nose by François Devosge, dating from the 18th century, as a headboard. Each of the 88 rooms has its own unique, picturesque design, giving them a truly unique charm.

"Being a hotel on a human scale allows us to get to know our guests better and provide a personalized welcome," explains Noël Lazarini, Director of the Grand Hôtel La Cloche.

Six high-end pillows made of natural down immediately invite you to sink into the queen-size bed. The purple curtains are perfectly blackout and the double-glazed insulation guarantees a 5-star sleep. Small touches include this box of four artisanal chocolates from Esprit Gourmand.

Superior Room Bathroom at the Grand Hôtel de la Cloche. Image: Philippe Louzon.

In the bathroom, the hotel provides this liquid soap with Chardonnay polyphenols. A unique product developed by Vinésime, it provides a sensation of freshness with gourmet and deliciously invigorating notes, available as a body lotion, shampoo, and shower gel.

A View to Remember

Superior Room View at the Grand Hôtel de la Cloche. Image: Dan Latif.

It's time to return to our room, which offers a breathtaking view of Place Darcy, the blue-lit Darcy Garden, and the Saint-Bénigne Cathedral with its spire, bell towers, and traditional Burgundy glazed tile roof. A view that will make you hesitate for a long time whether to close the curtains or not.

The next day, hand in hand, we open the windows of the Haussmann-style balcony and think to ourselves how much we'd love to wake up every morning with this view.

The Morning: A Burgundy Breakfast

Garden at the Grand Hôtel de la Cloche. Image: Dan Latif.

The quality of a hotel is measured by the quality of its breakfast. Here, breakfast takes place in the hotel restaurant.

We find the timeless classics: croissants and pain au chocolat, or scrambled eggs and bacon, alongside sweet treats like crepes, French toast, waffles, and pancakes with maple syrup.

Freshly squeezed juices of grapefruit, lemon, and orange, and even a detox juice combining apple, mango, and ginger. From fresh or dried fruits, from dates to smoked salmon, the selection is extremely varied.

Deeply committed to homemade products, the artisans at La Cloche have gone so far as to create their own spreads. Organic raspberry, apricot, clementine, strawberry, rhubarb, Christmas jams with pear, quince, spices, and blackcurrant are all homemade.

A very wide selection is available on the buffet, ranging from almond milk and chia seed verrines to parsley ham.

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Food and Drink

Why Food Lovers Are Flocking to This 500-Year-Old Hotel in Dijon, France

Food and Drink

No craving has been overlooked, especially when you see the Corner Bourguignon with homemade gingerbread, also made with a recipe you can take home with you.

Not to mention the truly delicious Pommard, a fresh cow's milk cheese surrounded by mustard seeds, and a homemade blackcurrant cake.

For those curious who haven't had time to try it, there are two jars of classic Dijon and wholegrain mustard from the Edmond Fallot mustard factory.

The delicately prepared omelet, prepared to your liking, is delicious. A beautiful plate full of color and flavors, which even invites, with the arrival of fine weather, to sit outside in the courtyard, ideal for gently emerging into this corner of nature and fully enjoying this Duke's breakfast that would make Orlinski's bear moan.

A Hidden Spa Beneath Dijon

Spa at the Grand Hôtel de la Cloche. Image: Dan Latif.

Finally, an appointment is made for one-hour access to the Spa by La Cloche. Accessible via a dedicated elevator, you can slip into your bathrobe from your room and head discreetly down to the first floor.

"In Burgundy, it's a good sign when you go to the cellar," joked this guest, who was staying at the Pavillon de la Cloche for a business seminar. Did he suspect that, extending from the basement breakfast rooms, there was a 200 m² haven of peace—right in the heart of Dijon—set beneath the hotel's ancient stone vaults.

You're immersed in a world dedicated to well-being, with a swimming pool with soothing lighting, a jacuzzi area, and a counter-current lane. A little curiosity: this multi-sensory shower is truly exotic and invigorating, a sauna and hammam, and a relaxation area with a herbal tea room.

Grand Hôtel de la Cloche is located at 14 Place Darcy, 21000 Dijon, France. More information and bookings here.