Square Castan

The Castan Square, in Besançon

The Castan Square is a charming archaeological garden of Besançon, which keeps remarkable Roman vestiges. The Besançon audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this haven of greenery and history, at the foot of the cathedral.

The garden with the ancient columns

The Castan Square is a small public garden of great poetry, nestled in the heart of Besançon, at the foot of the hill of the cathedral and near the Porte noire. What makes its originality is the Roman archaeological vestiges that it highlights in a green setting: ancient columns stand among the trees, the last witnesses of buildings of the town of Vesontio, perhaps linked to a water supply system or a nymphaeum. Laid out in the nineteenth century by the archaeologist Auguste Castan, who gave it his name, this romantic square harmoniously blends nature and the ancient ruins. It is a place of peaceful promenade and a testimony of the Roman past of Besançon.

What to see

You admire the Roman ancient columns standing among the trees, the last vestiges of buildings of the town of Vesontio, in a charming garden laid out by the archaeologist Auguste Castan, at the foot of the cathedral and near the Porte noire. The Castan Square blends nature and history. It is a peaceful stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Castan Square lies at the foot of the hill of the cathedral, near the Porte noire, in Besançon, reachable on foot. It is an open-air public garden, generally freely accessible. The promenade is particularly pleasant in fine weather.

What does the Castan Square keep in Besançon?

Roman archaeological vestiges, including ancient columns standing among the trees, the last witnesses of buildings of the town of Vesontio, highlighted in a garden laid out in the nineteenth century by the archaeologist Auguste Castan.

Where is the Castan Square?

At the foot of the hill of the cathedral, near the Porte noire, in Besançon, in France.