A Travel Price Comparison for France Saint-Etienne vs. Dijon for Food, Attractions, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Dijon?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint-Etienne and Dijon. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a historic, park-filled, and industrial city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and museums.

Dijon

Dijon is a culinary, relaxing, and historical city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint-Etienne and Dijon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint-Etienne or Dijon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dijon. Although Saint-Etienne and Dijon are popular destinations, Dijon has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dijon is very popular for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Saint-Etienne attracts visitors for its hiking. Dijon is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for its cuisine, wine, and nearby vineyards. It is also well known for The Ducal Palace. Saint-Etienne is famous for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Dijon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint-Etienne or Dijon?

Dijon is great for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Dijon. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Saint-Etienne or Dijon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dijon is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Dijon, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Saint-Etienne or Dijon Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Saint-Etienne and Dijon.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint-Etienne has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

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 Saint-Etienne or Dijon Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Dijon is not a hiking destination.

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for hiking. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Dijon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Dijon?

Dijon is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Saint-Etienne or Dijon Better for Families?

Both Saint-Etienne and Dijon are nice family-friendly destinations.

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

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 Saint-Etienne or Dijon Better for Couples?

Dijon is great for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Saint-Etienne or Dijon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dijon is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

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

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Is Saint-Etienne or Dijon Better for Students?

Dijon is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

Is Saint-Etienne or Dijon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint-Etienne and Dijon both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

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

Is Saint-Etienne or Dijon a more walkable city?

Saint-Etienne and Dijon are nice when it comes to walkability.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable place. There are several walkable areas in the city.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting? and Is Dijon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dijon or Saint-Etienne?

How long in Saint-Etienne or Dijon?

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

Families should spend more time in Dijon than Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Dijon?

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the culinary destination of Dijon. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or Dijon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dijon. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint-Etienne or Dijon?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical destination of Dijon. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Saint-Etienne or Dijon?

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

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Dijon. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint-Etienne and Dijon, we can see that Dijon is more expensive. And not only is Saint-Etienne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint-Etienne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Dijon?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 18% larger than the population of Dijon. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Dijon in the Summer?

Both Dijon and Saint-Etienne during the summer are popular places to visit. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dijon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint-Etienne is generally around the same temperature as Dijon. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 22°C (71°F), and Dijon fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Dijon, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint-Etienne. In the summer, Saint-Etienne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dijon. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dijon receives 266 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in July than Dijon. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Dijon in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Dijon. Many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Dijon in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Dijon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Dijon fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dijon during autumn. Saint-Etienne gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Dijon receives 121 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint-Etienne usually receives more rain than Dijon. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Dijon in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Dijon. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Dijon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Dijon can be very cold during winter. Saint-Etienne can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Saint-Etienne is a little warmer than Dijon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint-Etienne in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Dijon averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Saint-Etienne often gets more sunshine than Dijon. Saint-Etienne gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dijon receives 53 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in January than Dijon. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Dijon in the Spring?

Both Dijon and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Dijon because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Saint-Etienne is generally around the same temperature as Dijon. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 11°C (53°F), and Dijon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dijon during spring. Saint-Etienne gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Dijon receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint-Etienne usually receives more rain than Dijon. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dijon and Saint-Etienne