Streets squares and districts to visit Franche-Comté

This imposing square of not less than 4,680 m² that is fully renovated a few years ago underwent multiple transformations over the centuries and has now become one of the most beautiful places in France. From 1682 to 1689, it was developed in semicircle according to the drawings of Mansart who made the buildings of Palais des États and the arches of the place. It then bears the name of Place Royale. In the 18th century between 1721 and 1736, the rue de Condé (now the Rue de la Liberté) is open to connect the palace to the Porte Guillaume. An equestrian statue of Louis XIV (melted in the Revolution) is installed in the centre of the square. Called Place d'Armes after the Revolution and Place du Maréchal Pétain under the Occupation, it became the Place de la libération in 1944. Formerly a car park, this area has become a real place of life since 2006: terraces have been installed and various events take place there. In winter, when Christmas approaches, you will find the Christmas market...! In summer, a place for children and adults who have fun and cool off around the fountains in the heart of the terraces of cafés and restaurants. This site combines now the classic architecture with the will to look to the future. It is a place to enjoy day and night, enhanced by water and light games and by Comblanchien stone (Burgundy stone) which place is completely covered.

Dole, city of art and history, stone and water, scientists and writers… To discover this beautiful city of character, guided tours are organised, but a free circuit has also been set up: The Perché Chat! The name is a tribute to the writer Marcel Aymé, author of the famous Cecily Tales, who spent his childhood and adolescence here. The route, km long (it takes two hours of walk), invites you to discover all the points of interest of the city and to admire facades, gardens, squares and other picturesque streets. Follow the cat, these triangular metal arrows, where a cat is beautifully engraved, laid on the ground leading you to 34 interesting places: the Furs Canal, the home of Louis Pasteur, Marcel Aymé's house, the Notre-Dame collegiate college, the Grande Fontaine… As Dole knows how to live with his time, some steps are equipped with flash code. Scan and get the info directly on your mobile! Dole, city of art and history at the forefront of modernity!

Built in 1806 by the architect Lapret, the fountain in the centre of the square is decorated with four lions symbolizing Franche-Comté. You can admire its th-century arcades. Prior to Urbanisation urbanization in the th century, these were uninterrupted. We then destroyed the most beautiful house of the square to build a new street, rue Delort, named in homage to a native Napoleon of the city. Today, surrounded by shops and vaults, square is a central location where the main streets of Arbois converge.

Directly connected to the downtown, skirted by the Voie Verte, the marina of Mâcon is a true breath of fresh air in the heart of the downtown and a direct access on the Saône for the walker. With its 420 rings being able to accommodate rental boats of passage or long stay that can measure up to 25 m, the marina of Mâcon offers a wealth of services and equipment. In addition to sanitary facilities and showers, the port offers bike Pénichette rental service, a snack, two upper works shops, repair and sale of boats, electric terminals, a system of sewage pumping, boat ramp, CCTV and night lighting.

Do not forget the access on foot or by bike in a few minutes to the shops of the downtown, the restaurants, the nautical centre or the multiplexes cinema, the whole within a green setting. With all its advantages, the marina of Mâcon was awarded the prizeport de plaisance exemplaire which rewards the ports which are searching for new capacities and environmental integration.

This is one of the city's jewels. This courtyard surrounded by 19 arcades houses what remains of a former convent founded in the th century by wealthy young girls. Imagine that this building was at the centre of an area that occupied the whole area at that time. There are no more nuns on these walls since the Revolution: The convent was divided into private apartments. But you can still admire the statue of the Virgin, the only remnant of the religious past of the places.

This 3-km walk allows you to discover the historic centre of Montbéliard in the footsteps of the th century architect Heinrich Schickhardt, whose work has been preserved on the city, including the church of St. Martin or the logis residence which is part of the castle of the Dukes of Wurtemberg. Here you'll find the paved streets, admiring the architecture and ingenuity of our man. Panels installed throughout the course welcome the history of each site. 

To make the department discover its inhabitants and to travel travellers, the Tourism Committee of Doubs had the idea of developing this original concept: the Safari GPS. Halfway between the track game and the treasure hunt, it leads you to meet the most important places in the territory. Among them, of course, the fortifications of Vauban at Besançon, classified as UNESCO World Heritage since 2008. Want to decipher the Master Vauban puzzle? Very good; will therefore require a GPS to return geographical coordinates, as well as a hint of curiosity and a good dose of observation… Accessible to all, an activity that combines nature, culture, and adventure!

Tariff: free if you own a GPS; otherwise you can rent one at the Tourist Office.

Duration: variable.

Difficulty: pretty easy.

Other practical information: a road map available at the Citadelle of Besançon.

If your goal boils down to the castle, you will be pleasantly surprised to discover a much larger historical and architectural heritage. At the departure of the park on the banks of Saône in Rupt-sur-Saône, you go on the assault of a two-and-a-half kilometres walk around this "village of the three hills". Follow the blue arrows, and take the time to read the signs that are your journey. The lion fountain, the tomb of the Comte d'Orsay, and several other fountains and washing await you on foot, as well as of course the castle and its dungeon.

Tariff: free.

Distance: 2,5 km.

Difficulty: .

Markup: blue arrows.

The Tourist Office of Vézelay offers ten audioguides that will accompany you during your visit to the city. Renowned for its buildings, wine and artists, it is full of anecdotes and stories of adventure. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its basilica Sainte-Marie Madeleine, Vézelay is also a modern and state-of-the-art city: two applications for smartphone (Android and ios) allow you to visit the city! The itineraries called Vézelay unknown and Vézelay from yesterday to today are to be discovered on the website of the Office.

Tariff: 3 €.

Duration: 1:30.

Difficulty: easy.

A place of battles, place of commerce, place of wine production, Korcula is a city full of suprises and originality. This singularity is pushed to the end: Here, guided tours are not done with a guide, or with mp, and even less with smartphones - no, here are MP 3 that will accompany you around the city. The rental takes place at the tourist office, where the visit to the main attractions of Woodsworth: the banks of the Yonne, the dungeon, the church Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul… Beware, a deposit of 25 € will be required until the device is returned.

Tariff: 3 €.

Duration: 1 h.

Difficulty: .

A village classified as 2 flowers, Trouvans attracts many visitors in the beautiful season, admiring its colorful flower beds and its beautifully decorated houses. Two fountains, one of which is decorated with a th century lion, makes the village charm and several stone vaults of ancient farmhouses of the th century. At the entrance to the village on the left, a path leads to the viewpoint «Le Mont du Ciel» at 473 meters altitude, where a picnic area has been set up from tables and benches as well as an explanation panel of the landscape. Tradition reported that it was used once to illuminate, on Le Mont du Ciel, great bonfires, around which the people danced singing. This use was, it is said, a remnant gauloises customs.

Welcome to one of the most beautiful villages in France! There are two things: either you don't know Pesmes, in which case we suggest you first walk at your pace in the streets and alleys of the municipality to immerse yourself with its charms or you know very well, and we invite you to carry out a guided tour (upon reservation only) to rediscover the places that you will enjoy on a daily basis. However, don't miss the Royal House, the castle, the church or the Loigerot Gate.

Tariff: free.

Duration: count at least 1 hours.

Difficulty: .