Time museum, Horology museum in Besançon, France
The Time Museum displays numerous timepieces, precision instruments, and chronometers across three floors of the Renaissance Granvelle Palace in Besançon.
The museum exhibits the Leroy 01, constructed in the early 1900s and certified as the most intricate timepiece of its period by the Paris Observatory.
Through its exhibitions, the museum demonstrates Besançon's central role in French watchmaking traditions and technical education during the industrial period.
Visitors can acquire a combined ticket for three museums, including the Time Museum, the Fine Arts Museum, and the Archaeology Museum, valid for one year.
The museum features a Foucault pendulum near the palace tower, which demonstrates the Earth's rotation through its perpetual movement pattern.
Location: Besançon
Official opening: 2002
Address: 96 Grande Rue, 25000 Besançon, France 25000 Besançon
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Friday 14:00-18:00; Saturday-Sunday 10:00-18:00
Phone: +33381878161
Website: http://mdt.besancon.fr
GPS coordinates: 47.23584,6.02691
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:45
The monuments and historical buildings of Besançon reflect 2000 years of architecture. The Vauban citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site, overlooks the old town. The center houses Saint-Jean Cathedral with its astronomical clock, Granvelle Palace with its Museum of Time, as well as numerous civil, religious, and military buildings from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. The squares, parks, and quays lining the Doubs complement this architectural ensemble.
Theater of Besançon
173 m
Granvelle palace
29 m
Kursaal de Besançon
127 m
Maison natale des frères Lumière
188 m
Église Notre-Dame
205 m
Église Saint-Maurice
45 m
Hôtel Terrier de Santans
203 m
Hôtel Petit de Marivat
145 m
Hôtel de Buyer
46 m
Fontaine des Carmes
86 m
Église des Carmes de Besançon
64 m
Les 2 Scènes
171 m
Hôtel de Mesmay
203 m
Hôtel de Clermont
106 m
Hôtel Camus
159 m
Hôtel de Maîche
152 m
Hôtel de Ligniville
51 m
Fontaine de la place Jean-Cornet
187 m
Maison, 131bis Grande Rue
131 m
Maison, 131 Grande Rue
131 m
Immeuble, 69 rue des Granges
179 m
Maison, 133 Grande Rue
168 m
Maison, 135 Grande Rue
181 m
Maison, 129 Grande Rue
124 m
Maison, 13 rue de la Préfecture, Promenade Granvelle
198 m
Maison, 86 rue des Granges
137 m
Maison, 80 Grande Rue
128 m
Immeuble, 110 Grande Rue
70 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes