Besançon

Join the Hipporoller Challenge

Help the Travel Guide reach 20,000,000 characters and we'll donate 63 hipporollers worth over $6000. Read more.

On Travellerspoint

• 1 Besançon Hostels

Contributors

• Utrecht (67%)
  from http://utrecht.travellerspoint.com
• arif_kool (33%)

Help contribute to this article to share the ad revenue.

Introduction

Besancon is the capital of the department of Doubs and is the principal town of the Franche-Comte region of eastern France. The town which lies on the Doubs rivers is close to the border with Switzerland and is around 325 kms east of Paris. The historic centre of the town has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
It has almost 250,000 inhabitants in the metropolitan area and is located at the edge of the Jura Mountains.
For more information, have a look at the official Besancon tourist website.

Neighbourhoods

• Centre Chapelle de Buis
• Butte Grette
• Saint-Ferjeux Rosemont
• Battant
• Chaprais Cras
• Vaite Clairs-Soleils
• Foret de Chailluz
• Saint-Claude Torcols
• Palente Orchamps Saragosse
• Bregille
• Velotte
• Planoise Chateaufarine
• Tilleroyes
• Montrapon Montboucons

Sights and Activities

The city's old and historic centre is one of the most beautiful foud in any of the major towns of France. The loop of the meandering Doubs river encircles the old town, while the Vauban's imposing Citadelle blocks off the neck, adding to the beauty of the town. The historic centre has a number of classical stone building some dating back to the Middle ages and others to the Renaissance period. Some of the most visited monuments of the city are:

• Ancient Roman ruins
• Well preserved historic centre
• Vauban's Citadelle
• Cathederal of St Jean
• Several Spanish Renaissance style buildings
• The River frontage
• The 16th century Palais Granvelle

Events and Festivals

Weather

Weather in Besancon varies from warm agreeable weather in summer (June - September) to cold winternights from December to February. Average highs during summer are around 23 to 26 degrees Celcius while average temperatures in winter are around 5 degrees with frost at night. Snowfall is not abundant but possible during these months. Precipitation is fairly even throughout the year with mostly between 80 and 100 mm a month, a little more in summer.

Getting There

By Plane

The closest airports with a significant number of flights throughout Europe are the Euro Airport near Basel and the Geneva Airport.
The Euro Airport Mulhouse/Freiburg/Basel has most flights with many lowcostairlines serving the area, including flights to Turkey, other southern Europe destinations as well as many cities throughout the west and central parts of the continent.
The Geneva Cointrin Airport has more flights, including lots of flights to places outside Europe. It also has many flights with lowcostairlines like Easyjet.
Lyon Airport is also still relatively convenient though with less flights compared to Geneva. Even Paris Charles de Gaulle with a good TGV link is possible.
From the above airports you can travel by car, ranging from 1,5 hours (Euro Airport) t 4 hours (Paris). Geneva and Lyon are 2-3 hours away.

By Train

There is a direct TGV link from Paris (including Charles de Gaulle Airport), taking about 3 hours, and a direct linke to and from Lille, taking an hour longer.

By Car

Besancon is located just south of the A36 highway, which runs east from the Route du Soleil (starting south of Dijon) towards Mulhouse.

By Bus

Buses travel to a number of cities, including smaller towns and villages in the region.

By Boat

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

By Foot

By Bike

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Budget

Mid-Range

Upscale

Work

Learn

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

Post