Besançon, Administrative capital in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
The city lies within a natural loop formed by the Doubs River, surrounded by hills that reach elevations of up to 500 meters.
Originally named Vesontio, the settlement served as the primary town of the Sequani Gauls before Julius Caesar captured it in 58 BCE.
The Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeology, established in 1694, contains an extensive collection of European paintings and classical antiquities.
The local transportation network includes tram services and rail connections to major French cities and neighboring European countries.
The watchmaking industry, introduced by Swiss refugees in the 18th century, established Besançon as France's primary center for timepiece manufacturing.
Location: Doubs
Location: arrondissement of Besançon
Location: Grand Besançon Métropole
Elevation above the sea: 324 m
Shares border with: Montfaucon, Morre, Pirey, Pouilley-les-Vignes, Serre-les-Sapins, Tallenay, Thise, Vieilley, Avanne-Aveney, Beure, Fontain
Address: 25000 Besançon, France 25000 Besançon
Phone: +33381615050
Email: besancon@besancon.fr
Website: https://besancon.fr
GPS coordinates: 47.24222,6.02139
Latest update: May 26, 2025 19:01
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.
The Burgundy-Franche-Comté region contains several major lakes of various origins. Lake Saint-Point stretches 6 kilometers in length and ranks as France's second largest natural lake. Lake Vouglans covers 1500 hectares, forming a reservoir along the Ain gorge. The Jura area features ancient natural lakes such as Lake Chalain, formed thousands of years ago. The Belvédère des 4 Lacs provides a viewpoint overlooking the Jura lakes. In the Morvan, historic reservoirs like Lac des Settons enable water activities. The reservoirs of the Canal de Bourgogne reflect the region's waterway heritage. Many of these bodies of water offer swimming facilities and equipment for water sports. The lakes are distributed across different natural landscapes of the region, from the Morvan to the Jura mountains.
Citadel of Besançon
1.5 km
Besançon Cathedral
1.2 km
Birthhouse of Victor Hugo
1 km
Muséum de Besançon
1.8 km
Musée des Beaux-Arts et d'Archéologie de Besançon
250 m
Porte Noire
1.1 km
Astronomical clock of Besançon
1.2 km
Synagogue of Besançon
99 m
Theater of Besançon
940 m
Granvelle palace
826 m
Hôpital Saint-Jacques de Besançon
679 m
Time museum
824 m
Château de la Juive
3.2 km
Fort of Planoise
4.8 km
Château de Montfaucon
4.3 km
Église de la Madeleine
298 m
Fort of Beauregard
1.2 km
Basilica of Saint-Ferjeux
2.7 km
Collège Victor-Hugo
565 m
Funiculaire de Bregille
1 km
Besançon amphitheatre
532 m
Temple maçonnique de Besançon
515 m
Kursaal de Besançon
936 m
La Rodia
1.9 km
Besançon Astronomical Observatory
2.5 km
Fort de Chaudanne
1.7 km
Prefecture hotel of Doubs
1 km
Fort Griffon
224 mReviews
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