View from the Citadel

The viewpoint from the citadel, in Besançon

The citadel of Besançon offers an exceptional panorama over the Boucle of the Doubs and the old town. The Besançon audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this magnificent view, one of the finest of the town, from the top of the ramparts of Vauban.

The panorama over the Boucle of the Doubs

From the top of the ramparts of the citadel, perched at the summit of Mount Saint-Étienne, one of the finest panoramas of Besançon opens up. The gaze plunges over the Boucle, the almost-closed meander of the Doubs that encloses the old town, revealing in a spectacular way this exceptional natural site that made the defensive fortune of the town. You make out the roofs of the old town, the bell towers, the cathedral, the course of the river and its bridges, as well as the wooded hills that surround Besançon. This overall view allows you to understand at a single glance the unique geography of the town. It is one of the most striking and memorable viewpoints of Besançon.

What to see

Here you enjoy the exceptional panorama over the Boucle of the Doubs that encloses the old town, its roofs, its bell towers, the cathedral, the river and its bridges, and the wooded hills, from the ramparts of the citadel of Vauban. This viewpoint reveals the unique geography of Besançon. It is a must-see stop, especially on a clear day.

Practical information

The viewpoint is discovered from the ramparts of the citadel, at the top of Mount Saint-Étienne, in Besançon, reachable on foot by a climb. It is part of the visit of the citadel, which follows its own hours and conditions, which vary. The panorama is particularly beautiful on a clear day. It is best to check the arrangements before coming.

What can you see from the citadel of Besançon?

An exceptional panorama over the Boucle, the meander of the Doubs that encloses the old town, with its roofs, its bell towers, the cathedral, the river and its bridges, and the wooded hills that surround Besançon.

Where to admire the viewpoint from the citadel?

From the ramparts of the citadel, at the top of Mount Saint-Étienne, in Besançon, in France.