Citadel of Besançon, Military fortress on Mount Saint-Etienne, Besançon, France.
The citadel extends over 11 hectares atop a hill, featuring three successive bastions and walls reaching 20 meters in height above the Doubs River.
Construction of the fortress began in 1668 under the direction of Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban, following Louis XIV's conquest of the Franche-Comté region.
Three museums within the citadel showcase regional history, natural sciences, and the Museum of Resistance and Deportation documenting World War II events.
The citadel remains open throughout the year with varying schedules, accessible by local bus services from central Besançon at 99 rue des Fusillés.
The underground gallery Communication 110 demonstrates military movement techniques, with preserved passages revealing historical defensive strategies of the 17th century.
Location: Besançon
Inception: 1668
Architects: Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban
Fee: Yes
Charge: 11 EUR
Part of: ciutadella, avantmuralla urbana i fort Griffon de Besançon
Address: rue des fusillés de la Citadelle
Website: http://citadelle.com
GPS coordinates: 47.23139,6.03250
Latest update: May 27, 2025 10:00
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.
Besançon Cathedral
288 m
Muséum de Besançon
363 m
Astronomical clock of Besançon
278 m
La Rodia
514 m
Musée de la Résistance et de la déportation de Franche-Comté
319 m
Porte taillée
543 m
Ecclesiastical Province of Besançon
286 m
Musée comtois
227 m
Palais archiépiscopal de Besançon
381 m
Tour Notre-Dame
284 m
Château d'eau de la source d'Arcier
343 m
Hôtel Boistouset
341 m
Hôtel Mareschal
346 m
Hôtel Bonvalot
336 m
Hôtel de Sorans
378 m
Vestiges archéologiques
369 m
Maison espagnole
413 m
Magasin du port Rivotte
238 m
Aquarium Georges BRESSE
342 m
Orant du cardinal Louis François Auguste de Rohan-Chabot
290 m
Maison, 26 rue Rivotte
369 m
Maison, 12 rue de la Vieille-Monnaie
401 m
Statue du cardinal Mathieu dans la cathédrale de Besançon
288 m
Maison, 28 rue Rivotte
347 m
Maison, 30 rue Rivotte
341 m
Chapelle des Clarisses de Besançon
369 m
Maison, 36 rue Ernest-Renan
412 m
Chapelle des Bernardines du Saint-Sacrement de Besançon
339 mReviews
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