The 14 things to do in the Doubs

Are you planning to visit the Doubs for your next vacation? Here are the places not to be missed during your stay!

Visiting the Doubs is discovering a historical and cultural heritage of great wealth! But not just... Between valleys, mountains, rivers, waterfalls and forests, you will have many opportunities to marvel at the landscapes of the region.

Located on the border of Switzerland, the Doubs belongs to the historical region of Franche-Comté with the Jura and the Haute-Saône. It is home to the capital of the region, Besançon, which crossed the millenniums.

Are you wondering what to do in the Doubs? Here are the essentials.

1. Besançon

Doubs Prefecture, Besançon is a must for visiting the region. The city is surrounded by a meander of the Doubs, which acts as a true natural fortress. Therefore, the site is inhabited by Man since prehistory and its historical heritage is felt.

The archaeology museum is a good starting point for visiting Besançon. But the city is a real open-air museum! During your walks, for example:

• The Black Door: a finely carved gallo-Roman triumph arc. It was erected in the second century under Marc Aurèle;
• Saint John Cathedral: a Carolingian basilica whose first traces date back to the third century. It houses exceptional works of art;
• The place of the Revolution: bordered by old buildings. Here you will find the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Archaeology;
• The church of Saint-Pierre and its curious façade;

And for nothing to spoil, Besançon's paved alleys emit a particularly pleasant atmosphere. There's no shortage of opportunities to stay on the terrace between two visits!

2. The Citadel of Besançon

Difficult to visit the Doubs without going through Besançon. Once there, don't miss the citadel! A true architectural masterpiece, it overlooks the city since the seventeenth century. His founder is the famous engineer Vauban.

Under Louis XIV, he designs and improves a hundred fortresses, known to be inviolable. This reputation is not stolen since under the long reign of the Sun King, only one of them will be taken!

The 12 hectares of citadel land offer superb walks. From the heights, the panorama of Besançon and its surroundings is spectacular.

3. Sources of Lison

What to do in the Doubs to recharge? Go to the Lison sources! They spring from a cave at the foot of a cliff before breaking in the form of a waterfall. You can enter the cave to access a platform and admire the beautiful landscape.

By following the stream, you will fall on the Sarrazine Cave, which is worth a visit. Further on, the pretty village of Nans-Sous-Sainte-Anne houses the Taillanderie Museum. An opportunity to learn more about traditional local crafts.

4. The scales of death

If you are looking for what to do in the Doubs to feel strong sensations, go to the Charquemont side. You will find the scales of death, whose name immediately announces the color... However, if the activity is obviously not advisable to those suffering from vertigo, the scales are actually stairs (a bit steep, certainly).

They were once used by smugglers to reach the Swiss border. Blue-blue fals and forests extend to loss of sight throughout the walk. Don't miss!

5. Arc-et-Senans’ Royal Saline

Visiting Arc-et-Senans’ royal saline allows you to discover the exceptional work of architect Ledoux as the history of salt in the 18th century. It is that at that time it was one of the most important salines in Europe. Today, it houses several exhibitions that retrace its history.

But what strikes above all in Arc-et-Senans’ royal saline is its architecture. The utopian vision Claude-Nicolas Ledoux feels throughout the visit. His perfect half circle, his symmetry, his organization... All this prefigures the architect’s dream: the ideal city of Chaux.

6. Osselle Cave

Located between the Doubs and the Jura, Osselle Cave is the oldest known tourist cave (with the Antiparos Cave in Greece). This is why the visit of the cave is also a historic visit. Here you will find a clay altar built by refractory priests chased during the French Revolution.

But the Osselle Cave is also a treasure of paleontology. We discovered almost 3,000 skeletons of cave bears! On 1,300 meters of course, you will finally discover many limestone formations. The site also contains a dry area with smooth walls.

There are traces of rocks projected by the river that, millions of years ago, formed the cave!

7. Les sources de la Loue

Visiting the Doubs is an opportunity to admire unforgettable landscapes, and the sources of the Loue are among the most remarkable of them. They spring from a cave dug into a huge stone hemicycle that reaches 100 meters high.

Nearby, ruins take part in the charm of the place. The flow of the Loue never fades as it is also fuelled by the rains and losses of the Drugeon. Therefore, they can visit each year! You can easily access the Loue sources by car. But these are also discovered during different hikes.

8. The Consolation Circus

Consolation circus, or Consolation val, is a retreat located in the Jura massif. A retreat is a typical landscape of the region. A valley in a cul-de-sac lined with steep walls, forming a sort of amphitheatre.

It is a small hike (very accessible) that leads you to this unusual place. The creek song, the foam on the trees, the waterfalls... The surroundings have a unique, very relaxing atmosphere. Once on site, the source of the Stool welcomes you by basking on the ground of the 47 meters high! An enchanting landscape that will remain engraved in your memory.

9. The castle of Joux

Located on the Cluse de Pontarlier, a majestic environment, Joux Castle is among the places not to be missed to visit the Doubs. Ten times a hundred years old, he was constantly destroyed and rebuilt. Thus, its stones contain a millennium of military history! From the cruel syrup of the Jura forests to the Joffre-type forts, to the salt road in the 13th century... The remains of time remain.

The castle of Joux discovers the time of a guided tour of an hour. Listening to its history and its legends at the pace of discovering its rooms, corridors and balconies, ensures a real journey in time!

10. Powdery's throat

What to do in the Doubs to offer a moment of magic? The visit of a cave always seems out of time during a trip. She marks the spirits. And Poudrey's swell is no exception! With a volume approaching the million cubic meters, its unique room is among the largest in Europe.

It houses rock formations (stalagmites and stalactites) and a small underground lake. Each visit concludes with a show combining music and light. He tells the legend of the Vouivre, a mythical creature half-wife mid-serpent who once bathed in the free-standing rivers... A story that addresses both children and adults!

Note: throughout the year, the temperature in the cave is 7 degrees. Get a vest!

11. Le Mont d’Or

If you are looking for a hike in the Doubs, go to the top of Mont d’Or. Here nature is preserved and wild. In the voice of the bells of the cattle, you will cross the path of chamois, trouts or wild orchids...

But the main interest of climbing Mont d’Or is its panorama! Indeed, it offers a breathtaking view of the Swiss Jura. Come when the sky is clear, especially in winter, to see the Swiss Alps and Mont Blanc.

12. The blue source

Between the small villages of Malbuisson and Montperreux is an extraordinary source... This is the blue source. This is a small karstic resurgence that has a particularity that will jump right away in your eyes.

Indeed, its water is a deep turquoise out of the ordinary. This color is due to an optical phenomenon caused by the depth of the source (6 meters). But a tragic legend of the 12th century offers another explanation. The blue of the source would come from the tears of the blue eyes of Berthe, lover of the late Knight Amey of Montfaucon...

Note: In reality, the blue source is not unique in Franche-Comté. The region has other deep blue or green resurgences...

13. Montbéliard

Visiting the Doubs is an opportunity to discover Montbéliard. Famous worldwide for its Christmas market, one of the most beautiful in France, the city is worth a visit all year long! It is indeed a very interesting historical heritage, especially in the heart of Old Montbéliard.

Its warm colours, its picturesque and warm atmosphere betray a strong German influence. In the neighborhood, do not miss the temple of St.Martin, the oldest Protestant temple in France.

And to rejuvenate, go to the park Near la-Rose. Located on a peninsula, it contains a hundred different plant essences. Romanticism with its paroxysm!

14. The Jump of the Doubs

Nestled in a landscape of great beauty, the Saut du Doubs is perhaps the most famous natural site in the region. This stunt rushes with a big 40-metre bass, offering a striking visual and sound show. In autumn, after the rains, the flow rate is even more impressive! All around, the vegetation is lush and large limestone walls stand in front of the river.

To admire the Doubs Jump, you can walk to the site. Beautiful walks lead you there, which also give you the opportunity to see the cascade from the viewpoints. In the beautiful season, you can board a fly boat to reach the site. Finally, those who wish to immerse themselves in the French-speaking culture will be able to board a carriage!

How do I go to the Doubs?

To visit the Doubs, you can borrow La Comptoise (roadway A36 ). It will lead you to Besançon.

By train or bus, you will have no trouble finding routes to:

• Besançon (the ideal starting point to radiate in the Doubs);
• Montbéliard ;
• Pontarlier.

Would you prefer to fly? So you'll have to turn to Dole or Dole airports Geneva . They are located outside the Doubs, but you will easily find direct routes to Besançon. To take advantage of the best flight deals, visit our partner's website Skyscanner .

Where to stay in the Doubs?

The ideal to visit the Doubs is to house in Besançon . In fact, the capital, in addition to the detour alone, allows to radiate throughout the region. However, if you prefer to turn to a quieter city, think about Montbéliard tourist but peaceful.

But perhaps your stay in the Doubs is above all an opportunity to relax and evade in nature. No problem! You will find many charming cottages in the region, even unusual accommodations type huts or bubbles. To find these little hidden treasures and enjoy interesting prices, use a hotel comparison !