Besançon indeed left us with unforgettable memories. Although the memory as a whole wasn’t entirely the city’s doing, it’s still a cozy and beautiful old town worth a stop, especially when traveling by car from Finland to the French Riviera or Spain. Here are some highlights of Besançon’s attractions.
Historic Center of Besançon
The charming historic center, located in the heart of the city, offers a true old-town atmosphere: beautiful stone houses, medieval churches, and narrow streets filled with small shops and cafes where you can easily pass the time. Besançon’s history dates back 2000 years, and it has been inhabited ever since.
Riverwalk
The Doubs River, which runs through the city center, divides the downtown area, and a pleasant riverside promenade has been built along its banks, ideal for a leisurely stroll. On both sides of the river, you’ll find many different cafes and pubs to suit every taste. It was nice to sit here and admire the beautiful city and the passing people.
Besançon Citadel
Atop a hill behind the city center stands the Citadelle de Besançon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that watches over the city. The fortress itself is truly impressive, offering stunning views of the city from above.
You can visit the front part of the fortress for free, and there are also a zoo and a few museums inside. We were here just before closing time, so we didn’t venture further inside. On the free side of the fortress, you can see monkeys and goats (one of which was really aggressive and almost broke through the fence).
Museum of Time
The museum of Times is housed in the beautiful Renaissance building of the old town, Granvelle Palace. As the name suggests, the museum is focused on time, its measurement, and tells the history of clockmaking in Besançon. You can also enjoy a city view from the palace tower. Besançon is known as the capital of time, with clockmaking being a strong part of the city’s growth.
Square Granvelle
Surrounded by old stone houses, this small park, Square Granvelle, is a lush oasis amidst the city streets. In the center of the park stands a beautiful and romantic music kiosk. There is also a nice terrace on the edge of the park where you can enjoy lunch or a cup of coffee.
Square Castan
Square Castan, A park on the outskirts of the old town with historical ruins dating back to Roman times. This park is on your way if you walk from the city center towards Besançon Citadel.
Cathédrale Saint-Jean de Besançon
The grand Besançon Cathedral is located at the foot of the citadel, and as you walk to the fortress, you’ll pass by it. The cathedral houses Bartelomeo’s painting from the 16th century and an astronomical clock, a masterpiece of Besançon’s clockmaking. The cathedral is open year-round, and guided tours are available.
Parc de la Gare-d’Eau
A large and well-maintained park along the river on the outskirts of the old town, bordered by the old fortress wall. A perfect place to relax away from the city’s hustle and bustle and enjoy the beautiful riverside scenery.
Our stop in Besançon came unexpectedly, but this 5-day stop could have happened in a worse destination. We enjoyed our time here immensely and can happily recommend this history-filled city to other travelers.
