The 51 gargoyles on the facade were originally decorative, though they were later adapted to act as water spouts during a 19th-century restoration.
The Jacquemart clock was a trophy of war captured by Philip the Bold from the Flemish city of Kortrijk.
The Black Madonna statue, dating from the 11th century, is made of wood and was historically known as the 'Black Virgin of Good Hope'.
Touching the owl carving on the Rue de la Chouette with the left hand while making a wish is a long-standing local tradition.
The building was constructed between 1220 and 1250, replacing a smaller Romanesque chapel.
The Church of Our Lady (Église Notre-Dame de Dijon) is a 13th-century masterpiece of Burgundian Gothic architecture located in the heart of Dijon. It is best known for its facade, which features rows of false gargoyles designed solely for decorative purposes. The interior houses the 11th-century Black Madonna statue, one of the oldest in France. A small owl sculpture carved into a buttress on Rue de la Chouette is a local symbol of good luck. The mechanical clock above the entrance, known as the Jacquemart, was brought to Dijon from Kortrijk in 1383 by Philip the Bold. The building's structural design demonstrates the evolution of the Gothic style through its bold use of thin, vertical lines.
From the Place Notre-Dame looking upward to capture the full verticality of the facade's gargoyles.
Look closely at the facade to distinguish between the original decorative gargoyles and the functional water spouts added later.
Take time to walk around the exterior on Rue de la Chouette to locate the famous owl carving.
Bring a camera with a good zoom lens to appreciate the intricate stone carvings on the high facade.
Do not mistake the mechanical clock for a purely aesthetic element; observe its movement if you are there at the hour.
Respectful attire required; maintain silence as it is an active place of worship.
