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Citadelle de BesançonDominating the city from Mt St-Etienne, more than 100 vertical metres above the old town, the 17th-century Citadelle de Besançon – designed by Vauban for…
Must see attractions in Besançon
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Musée du TempsLiteral and figurative interpretations of time are woven together at the Musée du Temps, which places allegorical paintings about the passage of time next…
- MMusée des Beaux-Arts et d’Archéologie
France's oldest public museum, founded in 1694, is famous for its stellar collection of local Gallo-Roman archaeology; its Cabinet des Dessins, with some…
- HHorloge Astronomique
The base of 18th-century Cathédrale St-Jean's bell tower houses an incredible astronomical clock, powered by 11 weights, that has run the church's bells…
- PPorte Noire
Erected in AD 175 in honour of Marcus Aurelius, this 16.5m-high Roman triumphal arch stands very near where the columns of a Roman theatre and the…
- MMaison Natale de Victor Hugo
This spiffy museum gives an engaging account of the life and works of Besançon's best-known literary son, Victor Hugo, famous for masterpieces such as Les…
- CCathédrale St-Jean
The earliest parts of Besançon's cathedral date to 1127. Though heavily modified in ensuing centuries, following a 13th-century fire and the collapse of…
- HHôtel de Ville
Dating in its earliest parts from the late 14th century and later decorated with Italian Renaissance-style flourishes, Besançon's town hall was gutted by…
- FFRAC Franche-Comté
Behind the chequerboard timber façade of this riverside gallery are ever-changing contemporary art exhibitions. The distinctive building, FRAC's home…
- PParc Micaud
Created in the 19th century, this leafy promenade is the ideal spot to stroll by the Doubs River and it's popular with local cyclists. It's a good place…
- ÉÉglise de la Madeleine
This 18th-century neoclassical church towers over place Jouffroy, at the foot of the Battant district.