Things to see and do Besançon

By entering this cour, you have been transported to another era, and this particular hotel, with its beautiful façade, inscribed in historical monuments since 1966, decorated with accolades and the last four gargoyles of Besançon, dates from the th century. His yard is a «traje» (passage) allowing from the Battant Street to join Fort Griffon. Here you can admire open, superimposed galleries with Doric, corinthian and ionic columns, as well as centre of colour. In order to perfect the visit, you can even enjoy lunch in the restaurant Le Champagney which has now been installed there.

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, the Mérey-sous-Montrond karst trail is a real geological treasure: You can climb in a green setting and punctuated by unsuspected caves. Would you like to add a playful dimension to this educational course? Very well, you will be required a GPS allowing to return geographical coordinates, a hint of curiosity and a good dose of observation! Accessible to everyone, 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: to respect the tradition of Safari GPS, provide a gadget to leave in the treasure box, in exchange for the one you won.

Promenons us in the woods… It borders the city on the north-west side and extends from its proud trees to 1 673 ha. Complete health course, area of attraction of the Main Barracks (parking, shelters, playgrounds, hiking trails) and a zoo area (a water point, nest park…) are all guarantees of change and green. Finally, on the roads, or on the stone roads, offer a forest trip about 1 h 15, in the heart of the Massif forest, every Sunday, starting from the Main barracks.

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.

Just a few kilometres from Besançon, this exceptional view of the Franc Chapel is located in the hamlet of the Buis Chapel, on horseback on Fontain, Morre and Boucle. This lookout on the crest of St. Stephen Hill is approximately 500 metres high. So the Bisontins come there on the big summer heats to find a fresh breeze. After a little tour in the hamlet, you can quietly visit our Buis Lady Chapel before pushing to the lookout. Next, we will stop at Notre-Dame de la Libération, a small church built in a former fort in the aftermath of the Second World War in memory of the Bisontins and Bisontines victims of the conflict. A statue of more than 7 metres overlooks the panorama and the small church. Between contemplation, historic walk and point of view, the pretexts for making this walk are numerous.

A building that underwent numerous transformations during the th, th, th and th centuries. A former hospice of the Holy Spirit, the church has become a Protestant temple since 1842. In his courtyard you can admire a beautiful wooden gallery finished in the early th century.