Besançon between the Citadel, museums and the Doubs

Besançon offers several specific reasons to stay: its fortified heritage around the citadel, museums devoted to art, archaeology and watchmaking, and opportunities to enjoy the river and cycling. If you’re looking for a hotel in Besançon, these different highlights can help you decide whether the city suits your travel plans. Each of the places and activities below offers something different, without requiring you to fit them all into one itinerary.

The Citadel, fortifications and Roman heritage

The Citadel of Besançon is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is also part of a larger fortified heritage: in addition to the citadel, the Vauban fortifications include the city walls and Fort Griffon. The citadel offers a one-hour guided tour entitled “3 siècles d’Histoire.” The underground galleries can be visited on seasonal guided tours or, for groups, by arrangement. As tour dates may vary by season, check the current schedule before your visit.

The Porte Noire is another historical landmark. This Roman triumphal arch was built around 175 AD under Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The fortifications and the Porte Noire therefore represent different periods and architectural styles. If you’re particularly interested in history and architecture, Besançon offers more than just one highlight.

Museums: watchmaking, art and archaeology

The Musée du Temps is housed in the Renaissance palace, Palais Granvelle, and traces the history of watchmaking in Besançon. The setting and subject complement each other: you can explore both the development of watchmaking and a Renaissance palace. The astronomical clock of Besançon adds another technical highlight; it is a masterpiece by Louis-Auguste Vérité.

The Musée des Beaux-Arts et d’Archéologie brings together different perspectives in its collections. It holds more than 6,000 drawings, as well as local, Mediterranean and Egyptian archaeological collections. If you prefer to focus on one clearly defined subject during your stay, there’s a specific option for that too: the Maison Victor Hugo presents the committed writer’s struggles in a contemporary, highly multimedia setting.

The citadel is also home to the Musée comtois, which has been awarded the “Musée de France” designation. You can therefore consider this museum visit in the context of its historic setting, while keeping it distinct from the city’s other collections.

Green spaces along the Doubs and by the citadel

The Parc de la Gare-d’Eau lies on the Doubs at the foot of the citadel’s fortifications. It is a suitable spot for picnics and walks. The Promenade Micaud has a different design: it is an English-style landscape park with views of the citadel’s steep slopes. These differences can help you choose the right place for an outdoor break: by the river and fortifications, or in a landscaped park overlooking the slopes.

Activities on the water and by bike

Commentated cruises on the Doubs loop are offered aboard the “Le Battant” and last around 1 hour and 15 minutes. The trip passes through two locks and the navigation tunnel built beneath the citadel hill. This gives you an approximate duration for planning your time; check the current timetable if you’re planning to take the cruise. The Société Nautique de Besançon also offers activities such as canoeing, kayaking and dragon boating.

Cyclists will also find specific route details: the “Boucle 4 – Les rives de l’Est bisontin” follows sections of the EuroVelo 6. Besançon is listed as both the starting and ending point of the “Boucle cyclo 4.” As routes may change, check the current route before setting out. When choosing a hotel, you can also consider whether culture, walks, activities on the Doubs or cycling routes are especially important to your stay.

Discover more destinations

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To the main travel overview: Doubs.