The park was commissioned by the Prince of Condé in 1672 to serve as a private ornamental garden and hunting ground.
It is officially classified as a Monument Historique, protecting the integrity of its 18th-century landscape design.
The park's layout was influenced by the principles of the French formal garden style, emphasizing symmetry and long perspectives.
The site contains a significant number of linden trees that are hundreds of years old.
The park functions as a wildlife refuge and includes an educational animal enclosure featuring goats, donkeys, and birds.
The layout incorporates the 'Grand Canal' concept, though it has evolved over centuries of maintenance.
It is one of the oldest public parks in Dijon, transitioning from private aristocratic property to a municipal asset during the French Revolution.
Parc de la Colombière is a 33-hectare formal French garden designed by André Le Nôtre’s pupil, Robert de Cotte, in the 18th century. It features a grand 800-meter-long main alleyway lined with centuries-old linden trees. The park serves as a protected historical site, preserving its original geometric layout and symmetrical design. It includes an animal park with local farm species, making it a popular location for families. The grounds encompass extensive shaded wooded areas and manicured flowerbeds. It is located at the southern edge of Dijon, acting as a historical green lung for the city. The park is surrounded by historic stone walls and retains traces of its origin as a former hunting ground for the Prince of Condé. Visitors can find various walking paths that transition from formal gardens into more natural, forest-like sections.
The center of the grand linden-lined alleyway looking toward the horizon to capture the symmetry.
Bring a picnic, as the designated grass areas are ideal for lunch under the trees.
Wear comfortable walking shoes to navigate the long gravel paths that span the entire length of the park.
Visit the animal enclosure area early in the day if traveling with children, as it is a localized highlight.
Do not attempt to feed the animals in the enclosure, as specific feed is strictly regulated by park staff.
Cyclists are restricted to specific peripheral paths; dogs must be kept on a leash in designated areas.
