Advice

A little break in your visit to quickly share some extra highlights that didn’t make it into the main itinerary. Besançon may not be on everyone’s travel radar, but it’s full of surprises for those who take the time to explore. If contemporary art is your thing, don’t miss the FRAC Franche-Comté.

This vibrant venue houses more than 700 works by over 300 artists, and its program changes throughout the year with temporary exhibitions, concerts, performances, and talks. The perfect place to broaden your artistic horizons. On the nature side, remember that Besançon has been voted France’s greenest city.

Its six wooded hills and riverside parks offer plenty of fresh-air escapes. Take a stroll along the Micaud Promenade or through Chamars Park, where flowers, majestic trees, and the occasional view of the citadel await—just look up at the right moment. The city’s military history goes well beyond the citadel itself.

Hidden among the greenery, the Griffon, Beauregard, and Bregille forts also tell the story of Besançon’s defensive past. They’re ideal for combining heritage with a scenic walk, all without leaving town. And if you feel like venturing a bit further, two nearby spots—less than a 20-minute drive away—are well worth it.

First, the Osselle Cave, with centuries-old underground galleries, stunningly colored rock formations, fascinating minerals, and even the skeletons of cave bears. Then, at the foot of the Jura Mountains, the Musée des Maisons Comtoises: a vast open-air museum that takes you back to rural Franche-Comté of centuries past, with 35 authentic buildings from farms to Comté cheese dairies. There you have it—with all this, you’ll have plenty to do if you decide to stay a little longer in the area.