Créé par Romane, le 7 mai 2026
Votre guide Ryo
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Visit Besançon? What a magnificent idea! This small city in eastern France close to the Swiss border has more than one trick up its sleeve, and boasts numerous monuments, sites, and activities to do.
If you're looking for a place to stroll, away from the crowds and the daily grind of city life that can sometimes be complicated and tiring, know that you're in the right place. Besançon has the gift of pleasing visitors with just a simple glance. Its tranquility, calm, and peacefulness have a lot to do with it. It's the ideal place to retreat for some time during a short stay, take a good breath of fresh air, and let things flow as you please.
What to do in Besançon?
1. Saint-Jean Cathedral
Category: €€/Cultural
Description: How about starting with a monument you won't see anywhere else? The mother church of the diocese, which is none other than Saint-Jean Cathedral, is the very emblem of the city of Besançon, commanding respect. Visiting it will immerse you in a world inspired by both Gothic and Baroque arts. Built in the 3rd century, in the middle of its edifice stands the legendary bishop's seat called the "cathèdre," which is none other than the symbol of just authority exercised by the bishop over the diocese. One of the cathedral's main attractions is of course the astronomical clock that stands proudly on its walls. Hearing the sound of the hands moving across the dial is most pleasant, while appreciating the silence around. Open daily from 9am to 6pm, Saint-Jean Cathedral is located on "9 de la Convention" street.
2. Quai Vauban
Category: Sports
Description: Close to the market square, Quai Vauban makes for a pleasant walk. Without leaving Besançon, since you stay in the city center, why not take a little break from visiting various monuments and spend some family time on a picturesque little stroll? We highly recommend going there a little before nightfall to enjoy an ice cream. The air is fresher, certainly, but it's also the moment when the sun takes its bow and leaves us for a few hours to make way for the gentle moon. A particularly magnificent sight! You and your little ones can cycle along the quay, play cards, rollerblade, or even do your little evening jog. This stone-faced rampart facing the sea, with the appearance of a pedestrian street, stretches for nearly 600 meters - you'll be as happy as a fish in water!
3. The Citadel of Besançon
Category: €€/Cultural
Description: The one inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage list turns many heads when they spot it! Don't hesitate to gain some height and almost take flight while overlooking the city. The Citadel of Besançon is very certainly THE flagship monument to visit in the region. At the same time, it's considered by many as the most beautiful citadel in France, that's saying something! Built at least three centuries ago by the very famous Vauban, we advise you to put on your sneakers and bring plenty of water, as you need to climb a 120-meter elevation before accessing it. But believe us, it's worth it! With ramparts easily reaching 600 meters, it's a place that seems intimidating at first sight. But once you're there, it will offer some of the best panoramic views you'll see in your lifetime. Located at 99 "fusillés de la Résistance" street, it's open daily from 10am to 5pm.
4. Château de Joux
Category: €€/Cultural
Description: Feeling royal? Perfect, because we suggest you visit a royal setting, "Château de Joux," a pure architectural gem. Sprawling over two large hectares, it's one of Besançon's most sacred monuments; every year, a large number of curious visitors enter and leave with stars in their eyes. Formerly, it was a state prison; the place has seen many famous personalities who marked French history pass through, like Mirabeau for example. The site forged with strength and rigor is surrounded by greenery, giving it an adventure film atmosphere. It's a thousand years of history and memories that are told through these walls in a guided tour lasting about 1 hour 15 minutes! Château de Joux opens from 10 am and is located in La-Cluse-Et-Mijoux. Have a great visit!
5. Stroll the streets and taste a local specialty
Category: €€/Gastronomic/Cultural
Description: A family shopping day, does that appeal to you? Visiting Besançon also means taking time to explore the neighborhoods, taste fresh market products, sip lemonade on a terrace... So many beautiful pleasant things to do! It will be the perfect opportunity for you to taste the cheeses and sausages that make the city's reputation; you can savor Comtois specialties in a restaurant with a cozy setting. Moreover, know that in the city, it's very easy to walk around on foot. Indeed, it's not like in big cities where you can get crushed at every turn. Here in Besançon, the streets are relatively safe, and the pedestrian streets, in particular, are very pleasant in the evening when the sun begins to fade little by little. Have a nice walk!
6. Porte Noire
Category: Cultural/Unusual
Description: Also called "the Arc de Triomphe," Porte Noire was built during the 2nd century. It's one of the city's oldest monuments, to the south, right at the spot that connects Rome to Vesontio. Interesting, isn't it? Strolling there should be sensational! 16 meters high and bearing Gallo-Roman architecture, it's an edifice that served at the time for great triumph ceremonies, when Roman emperors paraded with their armies as a symbol of victory. You can admire on the internal face a majestic representation of a battle between Barbarians and Roman infantry. Draw your camera, it would be a shame not to keep a memory of this monument so original and unique. Located at 3 Rue de la Convention, strolling at this place constitutes one of the best activities to do in the city of Besançon.