Things to see and do Besançon

Located along the quays, this architectural ensemble looks after its impressive appearance. Works by the architect Marnotte (1869), he is of néomauresque style and endowed with an affirmed orientalism. You will admire the finesse of the sculptures and decorations of the four facades punctuated by pillars and narrow openings.

The sentinel of the Battant neighborhood! Built under Louis XV from 1746 on the plans of the architect Nicolas Nicole, the Madeleine is a model of neoclassical architecture. With its large façade flanked by two square towers, which were completed in 1830, the building is very impressive. Inside, three naves follow in a harmonious set.

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.

Founded in the fourth century, the current church was erected between 1782 and 1786 by architect Bertrand, according to projects by Victor Louis. The impressive height of its steeple is explained by its role as a belfry. The interior is equally imposing with its large columns. You also admire the woodwork that compose the choir, as well as works of art such as the Pietà de Luc Breton.

A few steps from the city centre, 90 ha of shade and 8 km of pedestrian paths, half of which are reachable in all seasons and by all the time. A 1 700 m health course will probably complement your walk. From the fort of Bregille you can admire the citadel of high (which is not so common), as well as a panoramic view of Besançon. On sunny days, the sunset is facing you from this fort! To get there: The car from the Chemin du fort de Bregille or, more picturesque, a pedestrian trail (departure above the Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc church).

See to believe it! The best preserved nature in Europe is in Franche-Comté… Forests occupy half of that territory. The regional natural parks of the Balls des Vosges and Haut-Jura cover 4650 km ². The hiking trails are 7000 km, the water courses over 5350 km. There are more than 80 lakes… Discover the Plateau des Mille Etangs, the valleys of Saône, La Loue, the Doubs, some of the most beautiful villages in France like Pesmes, heritage towns such as Arbois, Belfort, Besançon, Dole, Montbéliard, Pontarlier, Vesoul…

Initially, it was only a former uncultivated industrial land, with the construction work. This is a park that will enjoy the whole family. The park forms a peninsula of 10 hectares in town between river and canal. More than 100 plant species are exposed; You can also get lost in a vegetable labyrinth and entertainment in a fun and sports park. It houses the largest solar dial in Europe, a fountain of Galileo (a stone ball of several tons resting on a thin water net and one can turn the finger), the stégosaure grandeur in homage to Georges Cuvier.

This multimedia pole of Franche-Comté is set up by the Country of Montbéliard, with the support of the Development and Planning Agency for economic development. 12 years ago, the creation of the CICV Pierre Schaeffer already emerged in the techniques of the image. Today, Numerica, a multimedia pole of Franche-comté, looks at new technologies on a new day: digital for industry. For the first time, researchers and economic actors associate themselves with the same project to develop new technologies in the direction of image, but also for their use in the industrial production chain. The economic and cultural tradition of the region lends itself to such a marriage. Built on the campus campus of the Jura Gates in Montbéliard, the Multimedia development centre marks the Uniqueness and excellence of this unique project in France. On 4 400 m 2 and three levels, this centre brings together all actors in information and communication technology. Businesses, teachers, researchers, students, trainers work in the same place.

" MA "is responsible for promoting contemporary architecture among all; In this respect, it organizes conferences, exhibitions, contests or guided tours. The themes are diverse and can deal with the relationship between architecture and environment or cinema and architecture, as well as the greniers in the Jura. They meet architects, as well as planners and various stakeholders.

At the departure of the bridge of the Republic, the panoramic boat of the company Droz-Bartholet travels in 1 h 15 the loop of Doubs. He crossed two locks and borrowed the underground canal under the citadel. The tours are commented on, and the crew dress is similar to that of the members of La Cruise. Possibility of dinner cruise from 25 people. Note: ask to mount the Vauban, since another company, the panoramic stars, is located on the same dock.

It was built from 1778 to 1784, at the instigation of intendant Ch.-A. de Lacoré, on the plans of Claude Nicolas Ledoux, the architect of the royal saltworks of Arc-et-Senans. Only the facade remained intact, with the precious Louis XVI interior missing in a fire in 1958.

A former door of the city built in the th century, it is located at the foot of the citadel, and opens naturally on the Faubourg Rivotte. This is the only city door still in place, and you will notice the sun engraved on the pediment in tribute to Louis XIV. Along the Pontarlier road, we see the Carved door, opened in the rock by the Romans to pass the aqueduct of Arcier feeding the city into water.

Located behind the city hall, which was formerly a body with him, the courthouse, built in 1585, is the work of the architect Mannerist Hugues Sambin. Above the porch, closed by a beautiful entrance grid of 1861, two statues represent Justice and the Force. Inside, the former parliament hall of Franche-Comté, adorned with beautiful 1909 th-century woodwork and a ceiling painted by P. Gervais in, became the formal courtroom.

A former building building, this building was built between 1770 and 1778 on the plans of Frignier and Victor Louis led by Comtois Nicolas Nicole at the request of the new administrator Ch.-A. Lacoré, friend of Voltaire and Aesthetic. The main façade retains some austerity, unlike the garden side organized around a small rotunda with a dome. Inside, very beautiful ensemble of lambris of the Louis XVI.

Originally, this building is a house of Canon, depending on the chapter of Saint John Cathedral. He became the residence of Antoine Pierre de Grammont, Archbishop of Besançon in the th century. From succession within the family to sale to an individual and to the municipality, the'is transformed into a school and then in boarding schools. Finally acquired by the Regional Council at the beginning of the 1980 s, the latter makes arrangements respecting the historical character of the different rooms and settled there in 1984.

You have already described this decor… Réflechissez… Some clues, on its history: the work of Archbishop Pierre-Antoine I of Grammont, was built from 1670 to 1695, then complemented by a portal and its body of accommodation by architect Jean-Pierre Galezot in the th century. This building, therefore, in the shape of a Latin cross, has a magnificent chapel with a sumptuous façade adorned with two pilasters in Corinthian style. You're not? Well, it's through your readings that you probably already met, since it's in this building that Stendhal staged Julien Sorel, the hero of Le Rouge and the Black. So why not visit the book by hand?

In the th and th centuries, with a façade of the th century, it was the ancient Benedictine abbey of Saint Vincent whose cloister and convent were occupied by the university today. Still visible, on the right, the abbey entrance gate and tower tower of the th century, erected at the request of the chaplain of Margarita of Austria.

In partnership with the Science Pavilion, the University of Franche-Comté opened a unique site of discovery: La Sciences, which wants both exposure room and place of experimentation. With a playful approach, the establishment allows you to understand and understand scientific research processes through explanatory panels, scenes and demonstrations. Actullement, the structure hosts the exhibition "Light, thoroughly the photons" that will reveal you the phenomena observed on the light and the scientific advances resulting from it. Absolutely exciting!

At the corner of the rue d'Alsace and the rue de la Lorraine, travel over time and discover a mosaic of the Gallo-Roman era, dated 2000 years. Updated in 2004 the mosaic is part of a "domus", meaning a residence of the easy Roman classes, with a surface of about 6 000 m ². With a regular geometric motifs, it is flanked by a floral frise frise, presenting a delightful set. Remarqueblement is set up under your feet, covered simply with a glass floor and will discover details with light games. Note that during this archaeological discovery of other mosaics have been discovered and are currently visible at the Musée des Beaux-Arts.

You are curious but don't have all the keys to decipher the nuances of Besançon heritage? Choose the guided tour! All year round, the tourist office offers a wide range of outings to know the city better than your pocket. Accompanied by a keynote guide, go to an urban walk without difficulty discovering the watchmaking heritage, built or still artistic of Chrysopolis - the nickname of the city since the th century. The calendar is available on the city's website. Recommended pre-registrations.

Tariff: from 3 to 9 € according to guided tour.

Duration: variable, 2 h on average.

Difficulty: .

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.

Franche-Comté is a province of the Great Historic Burgundy. The recent meeting of the Burgundy and Franche-Comté regions brings together two traditionally linked territories, although sometimes separated by the hazards of history. Nevertheless, today they are two entities with strong personalities but who have very close exchanges that unite the inhabitants. A particularity of this new and great region is the Jura mountain. From Dijon, you have to cross the Jura plain and reach the foothills of this massif, where there is the Revermont, like a ribbon on which the Jura vineyard extends. A succession of plateaus take us to the peaks of the Jura massif. This region is rich in valleys, such as the Doubs, the Loue Terre de Courbet, or in remote areas. The diverse landscapes change with the rhythm of the seasons. Rivers are paradises for fishing. The lakes dot with their blue or emerald green this beautiful green nature. As for the cities, they have managed to preserve a rich architectural and historical heritage. Local products allow a gastronomy that is both traditional and inventive. A region with many facets in an exceptional natural setting, where Man with ancestral know-how makes it one of the destinations to discover without delay.