A masterpiece by Vauban and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Citadelle de Besançon is considered one of the finest citadels in France.
Towering more than 100 metres above the old town of the Franche-Comté capital, nestled in a bend of the river, it offers spectacular panoramic views from its ramparts walkways. As well as the beautifully restored architectural complex covering 12 hectares, the Citadel houses three “Musées de France” behind its walls, making for fascinating visits.
The Musée des Beaux-Arts et d'Archéologie
After four years of closure for renovation work, Besançon's Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeology has reopened its doors in the very heart of the city.
France's oldest public collection, founded in 1694, can be proud of the wealth of its holdings: an internationally renowned collection of European graphic art (more than 6,000 drawings), a significant archaeological heritage (Egyptian, Mediterranean and regional collections), numerous sculptures, ceramics and pieces of gold and silverwork, and an exceptional collection of paintings from the late 15th to the 20th century.
The Musée du Temps
Set in the sumptuous surroundings of the Palais Granvelle, the Museum of Time welcomes visitors curious to discover the masters of Time's obsessive quest for measurement. You wander through a maze of superb rooms, pondering Galileo's theories: “The sun lies, the clock tells the truth”?
Besançon was known as the capital of watchmaking; here it becomes the capital of Time: from astronomical clocks to the echo of frequency, from quartz piezoelectricity to atomic clocks. Unique and striking.
Victor Hugo's birthplace
The house where the poet was born on 26 February 1802 celebrates the writer's commitments and main causes. An exhibition space open to all, educational and engaging, it is designed not as a museum but as a living space for reflection on themes dear to the poet and still relevant today: freedom of expression, poverty, equality and justice, childhood and education, the freedom of peoples and the Republic.
The boat “Le Vauban”
Departs from Pont de la République, Besançon city centre. Guided tour aboard the boat “Le Vauban”: breathtaking views of the Citadel and the fortifications surrounding the old town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), passing through locks and the 375 m underground canal beneath the Citadel.
Duration: approximately 1 hr 15 min.
Parc Micaud
Located in the heart of Besançon, Parc Micaud is a true haven of greenery and tranquillity. Bordered by the meanders of the Doubs, this English-style garden charms visitors with its shady paths, majestic trees and colourful flowerbeds. With its fountains, historic bandstand and children's play areas, there is something for everyone, plus views of Vauban's fortifications as a bonus.
A stroll, a jog or simply a quiet break: extend your walk along the banks of the Doubs to make the most of Besançon's unique atmosphere.
