The 10 things to do in Besançon

A weekend in the capital city, have you ever thought about it? Visit Besançon, its heritage and its must-sees will surprise you.

Are you coming to spend a weekend in Besançon? It will only take you a few days to be conquered by the city. Visiting Besançon is benefiting from a concentration of surprises. It is obvious that the first green city of France does not leave indifferent.

Despite its citadel, its old town and countless museums, Besançon is not a very touristic site. But this does not prevent the walkers on the banks of the Doubs from being charmed by the beauty of the city. The “City of Art and History” labeled on the World Heritage List Unsco , the rich architectural heritage of Besançon traces more than 2,000 years of history and offer many places of interest. This is why Wanderlix offers you to visit Besançon without failing its must.

1. The Citadel of Besançon

Visiting Besançon sometimes asks to take height. Indeed, impossible not to go to the Citadel of Besançon, which overlooks the city. This site is a masterpiece built more than three centuries ago by Vauban. Impressive and majestic, the citadel is now a must for visiting Besançon.

Considered one of the most beautiful citadels in France, it is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage site. Its ramparts are about 600 metres long, 5 metres wide and 20 metres high. Thus, they offer unique views of the city and the exceptional natural setting around it. The Citadel is one of the city's most representative monuments, hosting more than 250,000 visitors annually.

2. The old town of Besançon

Dominated by the Citadel, the old Besançon offers beautiful walks. Through its narrow pedestrian streets, discover its rich architectural heritage. To do this, the tourist office offers you to visit Besançon with the help of three dried routes.

In the heart of La Boucle

Welcome to the heart of the Boucle! La Boucle is the name given to the historic centre of Besançon. Indeed, the old town has developed in a meander of the Doubs, whose shape is that of a loop. This original site is the city’s most touristic area, especially since the Citadelle stands here.

Here we find the vast majority of shops and services in the city. Also, this district has the richest and most complete architectural heritage of the city. In fact, there are a hundred remarkable buildings, dozens of statues and several bridges, squares and exceptional streets.

On the banks of the Doubs

The Doubs is the river around the city. So walking on its banks is a great way to visit Besançon. With almost 5 km to go, it is possible to go for the walk, bike or boat ride!

During this urban walk punctuated with heritage elements, nature is omnipresent! Indeed, nice green corners were built along the Doubs. Come on the banks of the Doubs, breathe fresh air and picnic with family, as with a couple or friends.

Battant district

The Battant district is composed of a rich heritage and many remains, to be seen absolutely if you want to visit Besançon. Full of hidden treasures, this place is both warm and out of time. It is organized around the Church of the Madeleine and its imposing towers.

At the top of this hilly area, you will find Fort Griffon. The latter offers an extraordinary panorama of Besançon, its bells, its citadel and the surrounding hills. Don’t forget to admire the famous Pont Battant, a key building of the neighbourhood and the city!

3. The Cathedral of Saint John

Built in the third century, the Cathedral of Saint John has undergone many renovations. As a result, it mixes several styles. In addition to being one of the few in France to understand two opposite choirs, it therefore mixes Romanesque parts, with other gothic or baroque. The set forms an incredible unit, which you can even visit with a guide.

The Astronomical Clock of the Cathedral of Saint John

The astronomical clock of the Cathedral of Saint John was built in the 19th century. Considered as a masterpiece of the genre, it is a must to visit Besançon. Every day, it is manually recovered. And in turn, it also operates the five dials of the Cathedral of Saint John.

Come into this sound and visual universe. Here, mechanical perfection blends with a poetic decoration. To know all the secrets of this masterpiece, a guided tour will allow you to complete the clock and to observe a large part of its internal mechanism.

4. Museums of Besançon

Visiting Besançon is also discovering its culture. For this, you will only have the embarrassment of choice! Besançon has rich and diversified collections. Its culture is thus distributed in its various museums, including a sample:

The Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeology

The Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeology is located in the heart of the city and is one of the most atypical museums in France. It was created in 1694, almost a century before the Louvre Museum: it is one of the oldest French public museums. Moreover, thanks to its unique architecture, the museum is labeled "Museum of France".

The Time Museum

The Besançon Time Museum takes place in one of the most beautiful palaces in the city, the Granvelle Palace. It is a prestigious Renaissance palace. The site gives the museum even more prominence.

The original name of the museum is not anodin. Indeed, the Besançon Time Museum retraces the history of the city and the great moments of the bisontine watchmaking. You are witnessing a dialogue between the measurement of time and the history of the city. The Time Museum allows you to learn a lot about the city, which is why it is one of the best ways to visit Besançon.

The house of Victor Hugo

It is in this house, in the heart of the historic centre of Besançon, that was born the famous French writer Victor Hugo. Being neither truly a museum nor a place of memory, the birthplace of Victor Hugo presents all the fighting of the committed man.

Poet, playwright, novelist, but also politician, Victor Hugo has maintained strong ties with his home town. In a contemporary scenography, it is probably in this place that you learn the most about human life.

5. The parks and gardens of Besançon

With nearly 200 square meters of green spaces per capita, Besançon is the first green city in France! Indeed, the greenery corresponds to almost a third of the city. The green is everywhere and is interpreted in all tones, to the heart of the city. Therefore, visiting Besançon is discovering its parks and gardens.

The forest of Chailluz

On the outskirts of the city, the Chailluz forest allows you to escape for a moment. This playground is more than 1,780 hectares. You can then admire wild boars like suede or deer. There are also many hiking trails and picnic areas.

Parc Micaud

Located along the Doubs, Micaud Park (or promenade) offers the charms of a park in English. Take a look at the various paths of this public garden, admiring tulip trees, paulownias, magnolias and sophoras that scan the walk. Raise your eyes, you enjoy a splendid view of the Citadel. This park is nice to rejuvenate like to spend a moment with children!

Parc de la Gare-d’Eau

The Water Station is actually a former port of goods. While it was formerly made of swamps, today a French ride was arranged. Just a short walk from the city centre but also around the Doubs, the Gare-d’Eau forms a vast green space in which small and large can have fun or rest.

6. The black door

Visiting Besançon and its black door can give some the sensation of walking on the Champs-Elysées in Paris. Indeed, this gallo-Roman monument, 16 metres high, is in some way the bisontin Arc de Triomphe.

Built in the second century, this building was very damaged. But thanks to long and careful restoration work, it is today one of the most beautiful monuments of Besançon. Known for its rich carved decoration and its columns are decorated with plant motifs, don’t miss going to take a look!

7. The Quai Vauban

Along the left bank of the Doubs you will find the Quai Vauban. This pedestrian road, built at the end of the 17th century, extends over 600 metres in a setting of houses with arcades. While the Quai Vauban initially had a strategic position, today it became a classical and homogeneous architectural ensemble.

Stop for a moment to observe these houses so special that simmer in the water of the Doubs. From the Battant Bridge, you can admire at best this harmonious stone walls.

8. The culinary specialties of Besançon

The capital is a gourmet land. This is why tasting local specialties is also a way to visit Besançon. Full of know-how, the city has local specialities and its gastronomy has a reputation that goes beyond the Comtoises borders.

Between the County, the Mont d’Or, the Morbier, and the Cancoillotte, the city is famous for its prestigious AOC cheeses. But Besançon's gastronomy is not just about its dairy products! Coing paste, Morteau sausage, trout with yellow wine, and Comtoise veal escalope also participate in the city's fame.

9. Arc-et-Senans’ Royal Saline

If you have come to visit Besançon and its surroundings, don’t miss going to the Arc-et-Senans Royal Saline! Dating from the 18th century, this former salt factory is now classified as the UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a testament to the industrial architecture dedicated to the exploitation of salt.

10. The Château de Joux

Finally, finish your stay in the region by visiting the Château de Joux. This fortress is located in the heart of a beautiful natural site. The castle of Joux extends over 2 hectares, and presents the evolution of military architecture. Also former State prison, he has hosted such illustrious characters as Mirabeau or Toussaint Louverture.

How to get to Besançon?

To come and visit Besançon, it is not the means that are missing!

• By train, two stations are at your disposal: the Gare Franche-Comté TGV is at your disposal 15min of Besançon by shuttle, and Gare Viotte is located in the city center. If you choose the TGV, you will only need 2h since Paris and Lyon, and 3:30 since Marseille.
• If you come by car, take highway A36 and borrow Besançon exits West, center or North depending on where you want to go.
• Finally, it is also possible to visit Besançon by air. Indeed, although the city does not own are own airport, that of Dole-Jura is very well served and is located in 50km from the city. To find the flight that matches you, use a Compare flights !

Where to stay in Besançon?

No doubt that to visit Besançon it is easy to find accommodation combining conviviality and comfort. For a pleasant stay, many hotels will be delighted to welcome you. To find the one that best fits your expectations, one Compare hotels will be of great help.

Also, if sleeping at the hotel is not in your budget or in your habits, opt for a Airbnb ! Choose the center or the outskirts of the city. Loger in the vicinity of Besançon is also a good option: the small towns of Ornans, Arc-et-Senans, or Mouthier-Haute-Pierre will welcome you.