Saint-Jean Cathedral

St. John's Cathedral, in Besançon

St. John's Cathedral is the main sanctuary of Besançon, famous for its renowned astronomical clock. The Besançon audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this major building, at the foot of the citadel.

The sanctuary with the astronomical clock

St. John's Cathedral is the main religious building of Besançon. Located at the foot of the hill of the citadel, at the end of the Grande Rue, it presents a long history, its oldest parts dating back to the Romanesque era, and was altered over the centuries. The building has the rare particularity of having two opposite apses, at each end of the nave. Inside, the cathedral keeps fine works of art and adorned chapels. But it is especially famous for its astronomical clock, a nineteenth-century masterpiece of watchmaking with countless dials and automata, which testifies to the watchmaking tradition of the region. A major sanctuary, St. John's Cathedral is discovered with respect.

What to see

You admire, with respect, the building with two opposite apses, its works of art and chapels, and above all its famous nineteenth-century astronomical clock with countless dials and automata, at the foot of the citadel. St. John's Cathedral is the major sanctuary of Besançon. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

St. John's Cathedral lies at the foot of the citadel, at the end of the Grande Rue, in Besançon, reachable on foot. A place of worship, it can be visited with respect for services; entry is generally free, but the astronomical clock is visited according to its own hours and conditions, which vary. It is best to check them before coming and to respect the sacred character of the place.

What is the astronomical clock of the cathedral of Besançon?

A nineteenth-century masterpiece of watchmaking, with countless dials and automata, kept in St. John's Cathedral, which testifies to the rich watchmaking tradition of Besançon and the region.

Where is St. John's Cathedral?

At the foot of the citadel, at the end of the Grande Rue, in Besançon, in France.