Tour Saint-Nicolas, Dijon Travel Guide

The Tour Saint-Nicolas is a historical landmark in Dijon, France, standing near Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau. This 32-meter tower is the belfry of the long-gone Saint-Nicolas Church.The church's history is linked to the former suburb of Saint-Nicolas, which existed outside the city walls in the Middle Ages. The original church, dedicated to Saint Nicholas, was built in the late 12th century but was destroyed in 1557 during the Alert of Saint-Quentin, a local episode of the Italian Wars. A rebuilt chapel was also destroyed in 1636 during the approach of Gallas' troops.The new parish church of Saint-Nicolas was consecrated in 1610. It measured 36.5 meters long, 13.7 meters high, and 13.4 meters wide. The church was destroyed in 1792 during the French Revolution. According to the Dijon historian Henri Chabeuf, the church had no major architectural interest but housed a painting of the Resurrection by Nicolas Quentin above the main altar. The organs, which he described as "quite beautiful," were sold for 52 francs and 50 centimes in 1796. The current Saint-Nicolas tower is the only visible remnant of this building. Today, the tower is used as an exhibition space.