Monuments to visit Franche-Comté

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.

The Tour Gloriette has been hosting for 6 years an artist workshop "The Stone that Ink" which opens its doors on a daily basis and makes you discover the lithographic technique thanks to the exhibition of a different theme each year (6 to date) and prints printing of prints on equipment of 1860.

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.

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.