The shops would be different, and the cafes, and there would be a new movie house on the Place d'Arcy, but I would have changed more than the street itself. M.F.K. Fisher on the perpetual city of Dijon from Long Ago in France: The Dijon Years

{HISTORY}

Welcome to beautiful Dijon, France, 1930s style! Just like when M.F.K. Fisher first visited in 1929 and then stayed for a few years while attending University in the 1930s and then returned again in the 1970s for another visit, the city sights hadn't changed nearly as much as she had. That's what happens when you fall in love with an age-old place.

Capturing the hearts of history lovers, architecture enthusiasts, and gourmands for centuries, Dijon is best known for its magnificent buildings, food, and wine. It is no wonder M.F.K. found it so enthralling.

The birthplace of prepared mustard, the gateway to Burgandy wine country, and home to over a dozen gingerbread manufacturers during the 19th and 20th centuries, Dijon's long history with gourmet specialty food products, winemaking, and fine dining has made it a must-see stop on the international traveler's itinerary for hundreds of years. Located between Paris and Lyon and close to the Swiss border, in addition to epicurean specialties, Dijon also boasts over 200 historical monuments with architecture that dates back to the Middle Ages. 

In the 1930s, French photographer, Yvon, also known as Pierre Yves Petit (1886-1969) photographed some of the city's most enigmatic vistas and packaged them in paper-bound folio sets as souvenirs for travelers.

A lovely memento for the photography challenged or for those who wanted to share professional images of popular sites with friends and family back home, these mini packets were a beautiful way to remember Dijon long after the trip had been taken. 

Containing 20 actual photographs wrapped up in a colorful paper folio, this presentation of vintage Dijon is a delightful tour of the city as viewed from the lens of the 1930s. The inclusion of the polar bear statue in Jardin Darcy dates this set to 1937 or after, as that is when the statue was installed in the park. In addition to the stunning black-and-white shots of buildings and church steeples, there are also a few street scenes featuring fountains, 1930s-era cars, and people wandering about the city.

Yvon was a prolific photographer of French cities, most notably Paris, throughout much of the 20th century. His work appeared mostly on travel postcards and in folio sets for the tourism trade.  In the 2010s, his photography was rediscovered with a new sense of appreciation for his talent in utilizing natural dramatic lighting to render crisp, clear images of cityscapes and historical buildings. His images of Dijon are now hard to find in folio form.

Suitable for framing or for photo album display, this set is an elegant way to add some French joie de vivre to your space. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Includes 20 photographs and original paper folio

- Place names for each photo are located on the two inside flaps of the folio

{CONDITION}

In gorgeous vintage condition. The paper folio is bright and clean and free of spots, stains, and rips. The Photographs are in equally great condition.  The imagery is crisp and clear. 

{SIZE}

Each photograph measures 3.5" inches (width) x 2.5" inches (width). The folio measures 3.75" inches (length) x 2.75" inches (width) x .25" inches (thickness). Together this set weighs just a smidge over 1 oz.