A Travel Price Comparison for France Le Mans vs. Dijon for Food, Attractions, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Le Mans or Dijon?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Le Mans and Dijon can help you decide which place is right for you.

Le Mans

Le Mans is a small, historic, and quaint town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for nightlife and museums.

Dijon

Dijon is a historical, cultural, and laid-back city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Le Mans and Dijon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Le Mans or Dijon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dijon. Although Le Mans and Dijon are roughly the same size, Dijon has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dijon is more popular for its museums, food, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Le Mans is known for its small town charm. Dijon is more touristy than Le Mans and is popular for its cuisine, wine, and nearby vineyards. It is also home to The Ducal Palace. Le Mans is popular for being the location of the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is one of the world's greatest sports-car races.

How is Le Mans different from Dijon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dijon and Le Mans. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Le Mans or Dijon?

Dijon is great for its historical sights. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Dijon specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. This historic city is filled with sights worth checking. Palais des Ducs and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne, and Eglise Notre-Dame are among the favorites.

Le Mans offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's most famous as the location of the 24 hour car race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and on some days it's possible to visit the race track which has a museum with simulators and other activities. Around town you'll find museums and activities affiliated with the racing culture, and there's also a cathedral as well as several nice museums relating to the automotive industry among other things.

Is the Food Better in Le Mans or Dijon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dijon is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Le Mans is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Dijon has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It is one of the top foodie destinations in France, and you'll find amazing local markets, award winning restaurants, and world class cuisine. Make sure you check out Les Halles Market to try local flavors. In addition to its famous mustard, the city is also popular for gingerbread, truffles, escargot, and, of course, wine.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Le Mans. It's not known for its food scene, but there is one dish in particular that you should try. The local specialty is les rillettes de porc, which is a pork paté.

Is Le Mans or Dijon Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Le Mans and Dijon.

If you're looking for night time activities Le Mans has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and clubs in the city center around Saint-Nicolas Quarter, rue des Ponts-neufs, Place de la Sirène and around the Republic Square.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Dijon. While it's not a active as the larger European cities, there's still an fun nightlife scene that is driven mostly by the large student population.

Is the Shopping Better in Le Mans or Dijon?

Dijon is very good for shopping. However, Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Dijon. For the best shopping in town, head to the main shopping street - Rue de la Liberté. It's lined with everything from clothing stores to wine shops and larger department stores. You'll even be able to pick up some of the famed mustard while you're in town.

Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Le Mans or Dijon Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Le Mans or Dijon.

Le Mans offers lots of family activities. Make sure you visit on a day when Le Mans Karting International and the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum is open to visitors. Families can ride on high speed go-carts and train like professionals with special game simulators. This is a popular destination for adults and kids alike. The town also has indoor play areas, waterparks, and beautiful parks to explore.

Dijon is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the open space that the city offers. There are parks where they can run around, like The Parc de la Colombieres which has a carousel and a ropes course. There are also many museums including two favorites for young ones - Musee de la Vie Bourguignonne and Musee d'Histoire Naturelle.

Is Le Mans or Dijon Better for Couples?

Dijon is great for romance. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its romantic activities.

Dijon is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Art, palaces, gardens, and fine wine make it a perfect couple's getaway. There is some of the best food in France, as well as a welcoming culture and many beautiful sights to explore.

Le Mans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a small town, but racing enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum.

Is Le Mans or Dijon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Le Mans and Dijon are good places to visit.

Le Mans is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While there aren't many hostels specifically designed for backpackers, it is possible to find affordable accommodation at most times.

It's common for backpackers to visit Dijon. It's a beautiful city with a touristy vibe, so you'll likely meet other travelers while you're in town.

Is Le Mans or Dijon Better for Students?

Dijon is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Le Mans is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Dijon. While it's quieter than the bigger cities, you'll find a young vibe and enough of a nightlife scene to keep it interesting.

Le Mans is not popular with students.

Is Le Mans or Dijon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Le Mans and Dijon both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Le Mans offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a tram service around town that provides access to many places including the race track via the T1 line (Antarès-Stade Marie Marvingt and exit at the East Entrance).

Dijon has a few public transit options. Tram and buses offer access to many parts of the city.

Is Le Mans or Dijon a more walkable city?

Le Mans and Dijon are good when it comes to walkability.

Le Mans is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are walkable.

Dijon is a somewhat walkable place. Most of the inner city is walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Le Mans Worth Visiting? and Is Dijon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dijon or Le Mans?

How long in Le Mans or Dijon?

It's fun to spend time in either Le Mans or Dijon. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Dijon due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Le Mans, and 2-4 days is enough time in Dijon.

Families should spend more time in Dijon than Le Mans. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Dijon, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Dijon than Le Mans. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Dijon that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dijon than Le Mans if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Dijon.

One day in Le Mans or Dijon?

In Le Mans, many people enjoy the nightlife and museums that this historic destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Dijon, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Le Mans or Dijon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Le Mans. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

In Dijon, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dijon has to offer.

Five days in Le Mans or Dijon?

Le Mans is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the destination of Le Mans. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Dijon is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Le Mans or Dijon?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Le Mans. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dijon. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Dijon. One reason most visitors come is for the food. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to France, The Best Sightseeing Tours in France, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Le Mans and Dijon, we can see that Dijon is more expensive. And not only is Le Mans much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Le Mans would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Le Mans and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Dijon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dijon than you might in Le Mans.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Le Mans Expensive? and Is Dijon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Le Mans or Dijon?

Dijon has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Le Mans. When comparing the sizes of Le Mans and Dijon, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Le Mans or Dijon?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Le Mans or Dijon in the Summer?

Both Dijon and Le Mans during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Le Mans for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Dijon because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Le Mans is cooler than Dijon in the summer. The daily temperature in Le Mans averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Dijon fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Dijon, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Le Mans. In the summer, Le Mans often gets less sunshine than Dijon. Le Mans gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dijon receives 266 hours of full sun.

Le Mans usually gets less rain in July than Dijon. Le Mans gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Le Mans or Dijon in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Le Mans and Dijon. The autumn months attract visitors to Le Mans because of the small town atmosphere. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Dijon this time of year.

In the autumn, Le Mans is around the same temperature as Dijon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Le Mans in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Dijon averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Le Mans usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dijon during autumn. Le Mans gets 117 hours of sunny skies, while Dijon receives 121 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Le Mans usually receives more rain than Dijon. Le Mans gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Le Mans or Dijon in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Le Mans as well as Dijon. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Le Mans this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dijon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Dijon. It's quite cold in Le Mans in the winter. In January, Le Mans is generally a little warmer than Dijon. Daily temperatures in Le Mans average around 5°C (40°F), and Dijon fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Le Mans often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dijon. Le Mans gets 54 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dijon receives 53 hours of full sun.

Le Mans usually gets more rain in January than Dijon. Le Mans gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Le Mans or Dijon in the Spring?

Both Dijon and Le Mans are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Le Mans for the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Dijon in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Le Mans is cooler than Dijon in the spring. The daily temperature in Le Mans averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Dijon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Le Mans usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dijon during spring. Le Mans gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while Dijon receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Le Mans usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dijon. Le Mans gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dijon and Le Mans