An attractive territory by excellence
Are you looking for a place where you can have a good time and live new experiences between nature and culture? Look no further, you've come to the right place! In Besançon and its surroundings, happiness is within everyone's reach. An exceptional heritage, an abundant cultural life, an omnipresent nature, and a thousand and one little pleasures...: all the ingredients are there to please young and old. Solo, as a couple, with family or friends, fill up on fresh air and emotions for an authentic and unforgettable stay.
Exceptional heritages
In Besançon, let yourself be surprised by the richness of a 2000 year old heritage. From Antiquity to nowadays, follow the traces of the builders and great men who have left their mark on the city. From the top of the Citadelle, a Unesco World Heritage Site, you can overlook the city center and its fortified walls built by Vauban. From there, you are only two steps away from the Black Gate built by the Romans, a handful of seconds away from Victor Hugo's birthplace, on a square that also saw the birth of the Lumière brothers. No doubt, you are here in a city of art and history rich in exceptional sites, and no less than 5 museums. Among them the Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeology which houses the oldest public collection in France. And there is much more to discover during our guided or signposted tours...
The capital of time
At the Palais Granvelle, which houses the Museum of Time, plunge into the heart of the watchmaking know-how that has made Franche-Comté vibrant for a very long time. Through a prestigious collection of clocks and timepieces, you will discover that the region beats to the rhythm of clock-making, which is a Unesco World Heritage Site. Did you know that the Besançon Observatory is one of only three organizations in the world that can award the official title of chronometer? By visiting the astronomical clock of the Saint-Jean Cathedral, you will be able to appreciate this timeless know-how.
Green city par excellence
In the heart of one of the greenest regions of France, the city of Besançon is the perfect place to recharge your batteries in the fresh air. In an environment where biodiversity has been jealously preserved, savor the sweetness of a lifestyle that is cultivated naturally! Here, nature is omnipresent, a source of wonder and daily well-being. Nestled in a loop of the Doubs River, the city has miles of riverbanks where you can have a good time and stroll along the water's edge. Along the numerous paths built from fort to fort, through the 7 hills that surround the city, you will be able to get some height in the middle of these green spaces. At the gateway to the Jura Mountains, find yourself in Besançon in an exceptional natural environment. And discover an unparalleled playground where you can practice an impressive diversity of outdoor activities, alone, with friends or in groups.
Must-see
With its breathtaking view of the old city, the Citadel is the Unesco site not to be missed during your visit. From its walkways, you have a panoramic view of the loop and the Vauban fortifications. A vast space to explore indoors and outdoors, and in a playful way thanks to a brand new treasure hunt designed for children. At the foot of the Citadel, a stone's throw from the Cathedral of Saint-Jean, which houses the astronomical clock, the House of Victor Hugo lets you relive the great hours of the French literary genius, on the very spot where he was born in 1802. For art and history lovers, the Musée des Beaux-Arts et d'Archéologie (Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeology), which houses the oldest collection in France, is another must-see in the city. As is the Museum of Time for admirers of fine watches and watchmaking know-how. Nearby, go green in Nancray and discover the typical buildings of the region in the large park of the Musée des Maisons Comtoises. Unless you prefer to travel to the center of the earth by walking through the underground mazes of the Osselle cave. Shivers and wonder guaranteed!
Highlights
International festival of classical music, or of current music, Books in the loop, Grandes heures nature and Trail des forts, new exhibitions in the museums of the city You won't be bored in Besançon! From one highlight to another, the city is in permanent agitation. Even during the summer, when there is a succession of festive and free events such as the Mardis des rives or the summer at the Citadelle. Consult the calendar of events and make your own program! You'll be spoilt for choice to experience moments of pure happiness and emotion!
Art in all its states
The city may be a city of art and history, but it is no less modern and vibrant. To be convinced of this, you just have to visit the FRAC (Regional Fund of Contemporary Art) and its original works. Or to walk the streets of the city where every year original works of street-art created within the framework of the Bien Urbain festival organized in June by the association Juste Ici flourish. In their own way, the galleries and stores of art craftsmen that dot the city will also show you that contemporary art is not an empty word in the Comtois capital.
Besançon happiness booster
More than a formula, it is a real promise. You only have to listen to the testimonies of its inhabitants and those who know it well to see the proof. In Besançon, happiness is within everyone's reach. A green and sporty city, accessible and attractive, a city of art and history, trendy and connected, dynamic, young and lively... Whatever your desires, you will find all the ingredients necessary for your fulfillment in the territory. It's up to you to find the recipe that suits you to write your own art de vivre à la bisontine.
The Grand Besançon territory
When you enter the Grand Besançon, the Jura Mountains are visible on all sides. Jura Mountains. Between valleys, hills, plateau and ridges, the landscape is remarkable. The omnipresence of vegetation makes it a lively and shimmering picture in all seasons! Discover, during your outings around Besançon, undeniable masterpieces to fulfill your cultural or sporty desires. Only 60 km from Switzerland, between the Rhone and the Rhine, this ultra-connected territory is also centrally located in the Paris-Lyon-Strasbourg triangle, all within two hours of the Besançon Franche-Comté TGV station.
