Is today

With a population of 3997, Is-sur-Tille is the principal town within a district which embraces 24 villages. Located about 20 km north of Dijon, Is-sur-Tille is crossed by a  river which, on the outskirts of the town, divides into several branches which later rejoin the Tille.  The Tille in turn eventually flows into the river Saône.

 Water has thus always featured as a central theme in the town’s orientation and development over the centuries, and today offers a picturesque “backdrop” to a peaceful town, which welcomes many  tourists.

 Is-sur-Tille is about 280 metres above sea level, and is the point where 2 natural regions meet:

 • To the west,  a heavily-wooded chalky escarpment reaches more than 400 metres in places

 • To the east, a damper clay-based open landscape, used mainly for agriculture, slopes gently  south-eastwards towards the Saone.

Getting to Is-sur-Tille 

Three “local” roads run through the town:
• RD 903 runs north-south and connects Dijon to Selongey
• RD 959 connects with RN 74 (the Dijon to Langres road) to the west of Is-sur-Tille
• RD 6 links Is-sur-Tille with Chatillon-sur-Seine, passing through the Ignon valley 

In addition to these local roads, the town is 5 km from RN 74 (Dijon-Langres) and 7 km from the

A 31 motorway, which connects Dijon to Troyes, Paris and Eastern France. The nearest junction (junction no 5) is at Tilchâtel.  

For rail access, Is-sur-Tille station is on the Dijon-Nancy Grande Ligne, and there are 9 daily services linking Is with Dijon, in both directions. 

On the economic front, two industrial areas have really put the town on the map: SEB manufactures  small household goods, while Linpac-AMI produces plastic utensils. Other companies within the district have been  successful and, over many years, have continued to contribute to its prosperity: AVRIL lifts, CORDIER Transport, AMPI  workshops, the CLOUET publishing company, etc. 

Rich in historical landmarks, the town’s heritage has suffered extensive destruction before the 18th century: the 12th century church, the Lecompasseur of Courtivron  and Lenoncourt hotels, and a 17th century castle. However, more recently-constructed buildings, such as the Town Hall, are not without interest.

Truffles are a local speciality, having been the subject of specialist research and of an interesting annual competition of chiens truffiers.

Is-sur-Tille is the historical town for crossword puzzles. You can visit our web pages dedicated to the Festival, which is organised every year jointly with two other towns who also have just 2 letters in their names, Aÿ in the Champagne region and Eu in Normandy, at:  http://www.is-sur-tille.com/motscroi/index.htm

Translated by Graham Paterson