Things to see and do Franche-Comté

In a rural setting, come and discover the scenes of the circus! Discovery workshops with circus arts are offered to children every day of the morning. Then, our young blonde heads will have fun over the whole park where they will find inflatable structures, animations, games, small animals on the farm… Small and large may also wonder about the acrobatic prowess of circus artists during the new show: «Cirkabrac» in a «steampunk» universe, a dozen surprising and unpublished attractions will be presented to you between classical and swing swing! Moments poetic, humor, acrobatics, innovations, all the ingredients will be there to give you a moment of pure pleasure and dream. In short, everything you need to put stars in everyone's eyes!

Unique in the Jura. These old royal prisons house the audience (courthouse) with two bodyguards on the ground floor and two courtrooms on the first floor. In the back, we see the prisons themselves: the cour courtyard and apartment, the pistole, the chapel, the court of the prisoners, two detention rooms, three underground cachots with door-to-desk doors. These buildings, which were those of the Justice des Gabelles, were built in 1741. They were mainly used to try smugglers because the smuggling of salt, tobacco and fabrics was particularly active in Saint-Amour, a village located on the border of several provinces. After the annexation of Franche-Comté in 1678, the province maintained an advantageous tax system relative to its neighbours in Bresse and Burgundy. After the Revolution, the audience was occupied by the employees of the Grant, while the rest of the settlement became a prison of passage for the inmates of Lons-le-Saunier in Bourg-en-Bresse and vice versa. Several hundred live there every year. A very interesting visit.

Built in 1689 by Vauban, Louis XIV's great military architect, to make reliquaries of canons there, this arsenal played a major role in the supply of the army, during the revolutionary and imperial wars. The pediments of the entries are decorated with arm trophies. The arsenal consists of several buildings of a beautiful architectural complex: One now serves as food markets for the market (every Friday mornings), the others, which housed work of the wheelwrights and the large forge, became annexes of the high school.

François Jouffroy the sculptor chose bronze to celebrate the Emperor. The statue was casted in 1857. Bonaparte is represented: second lieutenant of a company of bombers. The bas-reliefs evoke the splendour of his existence: the Arcola Bridge, the coronation, a session at the council ... and, of course, his stay in Auxonne. This is where he acquired his military training.

The present building was built between 1843 and 1863, on the remains of a convent, created in 1412 and that of the former hospital, built in 1505. What remains today are old elements such as a room for sick soldiers, found below the Sainte-Marie room. The chapel dates from the eighteenth century. Colourful stained-glass windows and a starlight ceiling. The more recent one of the nineteenth century is the apothecary- the pharmacy - has a fine collection of earthenware, utensils and treaties of medicine.

The former logis of the ducs of Burgundy, now town hall, is a brick building of the fifteenth century.

The library of Auxonne has a beautiful reading room dating back to 1850. The oldest books date from the end of the fifteenth century. Access to the library is done through the Xavier-Girault crossing, connecting Antoine-Masson Street to the place of Arms.

The barracks is divided into two sites: Marey-Monge on the left and Bonaparte right whose pink stone buildings of Moissey (in the Jura) date from the 18th century. These two squares was an artillery school then where Napoléon Bonaparte was student between 1788 and 1791: it is possible to visit the room on authorisation. The barracks welcomes since June 1956 €511 Regiment of the Train from the first logistics team, great unity of the command of the French land forces.

The Velleminfroy bottling plant and factory store are a must for mineral water lovers. For those wishing to learn more about how Velleminfroy mineral water is made, free guided tours of the bottling plant are available all year round. You can also extend your visit by discovering the showroom, where Velleminfroy water is showcased. The Renaissance space, which houses the bottling plant, also features an exhibition, a film on the history of Velleminfroy mineral water, a tasting session and a sales area. It should be noted, however, that the Renaissance area is only open to groups by appointment.

The mill Decollogne, historically serving the prestigious Parisian bakers, opens its doors and unveils its atypical construction. Set in the heart of the Val de Saône, this minotier has taken over the ancient Sugar candy, transforming it into an ultra modern mill and 100% organic. Follow the transformation of soft wheat in "Haute Mouture" flour. From the wheat field to the top of the oven, discover all the stages of making the old bread and find the taste of the craquante wand and the savoureuse!

Experience the rebirth of Château de Garnerot which is experiencing a new impetus dedicated to wine tourism initiated by Alexia Russo and Caroline Fyot, young winemakers with passion and heart. Installation of a state of the art winery. Welcome to the château at the foot of a historic wine press. Creation of educational itineraries including during the harvest. Visits, organization of dinners at the château or in the park. Reception of groups, privatization of the château and creation of a gîte. The Château de Garnerot arouses all curiosities and gourmet desires.