Musee Archeologique de Dijon (Dijon Archaeological Museum), Dijon

The Dijon Archaeological Museum, founded in 1832, is a captivating museum dedicated to the archaeology of Burgundy. Its primary focus is on the rich history and archaeology of the region, spanning from prehistory to the Middle Ages.

Originally established as a collection by the Commission des Antiquités du Département de la Côte-d'Or, a subdivision of the Academy of Dijon, the museum aimed to preserve historical monuments and conduct archaeological excavations at notable sites like the Gallo-Roman site at Alise-Sainte-Reine. Initially housed in the Rolin Hotel, a private mansion in Dijon, the collection found its permanent home in the Benedictine dormitory of the Abbey of St. Bénigne in 1934. In 1955, the museum became municipalized, and over time, it expanded its exhibition space within the abbey to accommodate its growing collection.

The museum's collections encompass artifacts from various sites across Burgundy, providing visitors with a comprehensive understanding of the region's archaeological heritage. The museum is organized into different sections, each highlighting a distinct period or theme.

The Dijon Archaeological Museum has a remarkable chapter house and scriptorium dedicated to the worship of the goddess Sequana, featuring wood-carved offerings, bas-reliefs, and a sculpture of Sequana herself. The temple dedicated to Sequana was a popular pilgrimage site with ex-votos offered by pilgrims from the Mediterranean. The museum also houses the captivating monks' dormitory, which includes Romanesque sculptures, including a fragmentary bust of Jesus Christ by Claus Sluter, originally part of a larger limestone crucifix from the Carthusian monastery of Champmol.