Pontarlier, Administrative center in Doubs, France
Pontarlier is a commune in the Doubs département of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, located roughly midway between Besançon and the Swiss border. The town stretches along the Doubs River through a wide valley and serves as the administrative seat for the surrounding arrondissement, which includes several smaller villages and hamlets.
The town grew along an important trade route connecting inland France with Switzerland, and the flow of goods brought steady growth over the centuries. A devastating fire in 1736 destroyed much of the built area, prompting a redesign with wider streets during reconstruction.
The municipal museum presents exhibits about regional history and industrial heritage, with particular attention to the traditional production methods of absinthe.
The town center is easy to explore on foot, with most shops and public facilities located close together. Market days on Thursday bring extra activity to the central streets, making it a good time to visit if you want to see daily life in action.
Several small distilleries in town keep the production of absinthe alive, a spirit that was made here as early as the 18th century and later banned in many countries. Visitors can learn about the distillation process and the herbs used at some of these operations.
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