Monuments to visit Franche-Comté

Not a postcard from here without seeing it enthroned, imperial and majestic, over the city. And for good reason... The emblematic monument of Auxerre, the Clock Tower has dominated the historic center for more than 500 years. It is impossible to pass by without admiring this superb monument decorated with its astronomical clock whose two hands indicate the solar and lunar movements. Built on the foundations of the Gallo-Roman city walls in the 12th century, it was used as a prison in the 14th century while continuing to serve as the city's clock. In 1825, a fire broke out during repair work on the spire and it collapsed. The tower was then partially rebuilt, at a lower cost. Its destruction was even considered. Fortunately, protected by its registration as a historical monument, it was finally rebuilt identically in 1890. Since then, in the heart of the pedestrian district, it marks with its superb architecture an admirably preserved city center. All the more so since its long and magnificent renovation completed in the summer of 2022. No doubt, the Clock Tower has never been so beautiful!

Note that you can still admire the bases of the ancient Gallo-Roman castrum in the tea room of the chocolate maker Gregory Ferret just next door. Finally, next to the tower, the covered passage used to be the house of the famous revolutionary bailiff Cadet Roussel, a great local figure of the 18th century. A commemorative plaque reminds us of this fact.

The Halles de Beaune are ideally located in the city. They are located opposite the Hôtel-Dieu des Hospices de Beaune, in the heart of the city. Throughout the year, every Wednesday and Friday from 7am to 1pm, the people of Beaunne meet there to do their shopping. Wednesday is more specifically dedicated to food products. Here you can find everything: fruit, vegetables, meat, delicatessen, rotisserie, cheese, spices, etc. The organic sector and local producers are also well represented. Up to 180 merchants can take place! Ideal for finding local products. Surrounded by cafés and restaurants, nothing prevents you from taking a short break in the morning to have a coffee or finish your market with a lunch. From April to November on Saturdays, you can also visit the flea market on Place Carnot. Good times ahead!

You can admire a magnificent collection of sculptures and paintings of art in the lounge and rooms. In this large building located along the highway, you can enjoy real history lessons, especially if you have the opportunity to walk around with its owner. You will know almost everything about the great and small history of this 12th century castle with a tumultuous past and whose style continuously varied until the 17th and 18th centuries. You will notice both its magnificence and its decadence when visiting. The walls are still standing and impressive, but the interiors could not stand the attacks of time and still less, the covetousness of men. Only two andirons remained when the former owner, M. Aubry, bought the castle - thus saving some ruins - in 1983. Since then, research and restoration have made it part of its glorious past.

Longvic continues to stand out in the Dijon agglomeration landscape. Last January, José Almeida handed over to the new mayor, Céline Tonot, who is continuing the town's commitment to the environment: the town, which has been awarded the "ville-nature" label by the French government, has joined the club of "solarized towns", with the installation of solar panels on municipal buildings; and to culture, with a new edition of Festi'Longvic and the setting up of artists' residencies. The town continues to metamorphose under its projects: tree planting on the Étang Royal side, creation of a cycle path towards Dijon, street renovation, 100% LED street lighting..

Formerly known as «bridge des Butchers», because abattoirs were right next door, this bridge is located on the ancient fortifications of Arbois and was a target when Louis XIV's troops, at war against Spain, attacked the city in 1674.

This beautiful pedestrian bridge dates back to the th century. It connects Faramand street to rue de la Tour. It is one of the monuments that makes it so bucolic in the capital of Jura wines. Do not hesitate to cross it, you will have the impression of crossing the centuries!

Built by Auguste Lucien Vérité, at the request of Archbishop Mathieu, in the 19th century, the Besançon astronomical clock is a small jewel of technicality and precision. More than 30,000 parts, 11 movements, 57 dials providing more than 122 interdependent indications, on the calendar, moon phases, eclipses, tides... Depending on the time and date, the clock comes to life in a mechanical broom and reveals small scenes inspired by the Bible before your eyes, including at noon the resurrection of Christ.

The presence of a kursaal (holiday room for the curistes of the water towns) in Besançon shows quite well the Germanic influence of the neighbouring regions and recalls that the city was once a thermal destination. Built in 1892, the Kursaal now hosts theatre and film programming, balls, fashion shows… in a charming showroom.

Thanks to its fortifications, since 2008 Besançon has been registered as A UNESCO World Heritage Site and is now part of the «Vauban Major Sites Network», with 18 buildings to discover through the city. In addition to the famous citadel, the forts and vestiges of ramparts testify to the importance of the city fortifications. The different bastions are positioned around the loop of Doubs, thus forming a parade against any possible attack. Finally on the heights of the Battant quarter and the Station, other buildings allowed to take up the height to monitor the city. A hiking route map is available at the tourist office.

If you see Porte Guillaume in a distant horizon, know that you are at the entrance to Vieux Dijon, in the heart of the historic centre. Indeed, this triumphal arch is set on the large place Darcy, completely pedestrian, and at the entrance to the long rue de la Liberté which is also pedestrian. Dated from the 18th century, it was built in the exact location of a pre-existing medieval gate. Built by the architect Jean-Philippe Maret, this monument was erected as a tribute to the governor of Burgundy at the time, namely Louis Bourbon-Condé more commonly known as Prince de Condé. For this reason, it was first called Porte de Condé, then Porte de la Liberté at the Revolution and finally Porte Guillaume in tribute to Guillaume de Volpiano, former priest and Italian abbot of Saint-Bénigne. On the door, registered as Historical monument in 1938, you can admire four bas-reliefs.

Connecting the city centre to the historic quarter of the same name, the Battant Bridge is located on the Grand-Rue axis. Once Roman way joining the provinces of Italy, it was a long bridge to cross the Doubs river. The stone building dating back to the Roman era was partially destroyed during the Second World war and today only the base of a pillar remains. On the left bank you can admire the unique architectural ensemble of the Vauban quay, which is crowned by the arcades of its th century houses.

The town hall of Besançon was completed in 1573 after almost two centuries of récurentes changes. Proud and royal, above its porch, you can admire the eagle of Besançon with both columns. On the right, the vast niche contained, until the Revolution, a bronze fountain representing Charles Quint overlapping a two-legged eagle; it is still surmounted by the motto «And to God». Finally, you can note that, on the embossed facade, the architect made the blue and beige veins of the besancon stone alterner to show graphic lines.