11 Best Things to Do and See in Besançon
Exploring Besançon on foot is one of the best ways to feel the city’s atmosphere, connect its landmark places and discover its neighbourhoods at a more natural pace.
In this guide, you will find the attractions not to miss when planning a walking route in Besançon, with simple reference points.
To go further, you can also enjoy a private guided tour in Besançon. It is a smoother way to connect places, understand details you might miss on your own and enjoy a more human, personal discovery adapted to your trip.
1. Citadel of Besançon
Overlooking the Doubs loop, the Citadel of Besançon is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. This vast fortress offers visitors ramparts, courtyards, panoramic views over Besançon, and several discovery areas that tell the story of the site’s heritage. It is also home to museums and lively spaces where you can explore history, nature, and culture in a remarkable setting. A visit to the citadel combines viewpoints, military architecture, and a leisure walk in the heart of a listed historic site.
2. Museum of Besançon
The Besançon Museum invites visitors to discover a space dedicated to nature, zoology, and scientific collections, right in the heart of Besançon. Here, you can explore taxidermied animals, natural history specimens, and educational displays that help you better understand the diversity of life. The museum appeals to curious visitors and families alike, with a visit that combines observation, discovery, and awareness of species conservation. It is an interesting stop to enrich a cultural walk through the city while learning more about the animal kingdom and the natural sciences.
3. Museum of Time in Besançon
Located in a former palace in the heart of Besançon, the Museum of Time invites visitors to discover the history of timekeeping and the city’s rich watchmaking heritage. It features collections of objects, scientific instruments, watches and mechanisms that trace the evolution of techniques and craftsmanship. The tour also highlights the building’s architecture and offers a visit that is both cultural, scientific and heritage-focused, ideal for understanding the close link between Besançon and watchmaking.
4. Water Station Park
The Parc de la Gare d’Eau in Besançon is a large walking area valued for its lush, peaceful riverside setting. Visitors will find lawns, paths ideal for walking or cycling, and beautiful views over the surrounding landscape. This spot is perfect for taking a break, enjoying a picnic, or simply relaxing outdoors. Easy to access, it is a pleasant stop for both locals and visitors looking for nature in the heart of the city.
5. Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeology of Besançon
The Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeology of Besançon is a must-see for discovering the city’s artistic and heritage treasures. It showcases a wide collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings, and archaeological objects, presented in an itinerary that blends ancient art with more modern works. The museum lets visitors explore different civilizations and periods in art history, in a setting that invites discovery. It is an ideal place for culture lovers as well as for visitors curious to learn more about Besançon’s heritage.
6. Micaud Park
Micaud Park is a city park in Besançon, offering a riverside walking area overlooking the Doubs. Its paths, grassy areas, and greenery make it a pleasant place to pause in the middle of the city. The park is also notable for its setting, close to the center, beside the water, and with a quiet neighborhood feel. It offers a simple, natural atmosphere closely tied to everyday life in Besançon.
7. Les Halles Beaux-Arts
Located in the heart of Besançon, the Halles Beaux-Arts offer a lively gourmet stop, where visitors discover a friendly covered market, appreciated for its stalls of fresh produce and local specialties. In this bustling place, people come as much to shop as to enjoy the lively atmosphere, the colors of fruits and vegetables, cheeses, cured meats, and regional products. The Halles Beaux-Arts are therefore a practical and welcoming place to experience everyday life in Besançon and the local way of life.
8. Square Granvelle
In the heart of Besançon, Square Granvelle is a pleasant city park where people come to take a break in the shade of the trees, read on a bench, or stroll through its well-kept grounds. Located near the historic center, it offers a peaceful space appreciated by both locals and visitors, with lawns, shaded paths, and an atmosphere designed for relaxation. It is a simple and tranquil place, ideal for a short walk between two sightseeing stops in the city, in a green and restful setting.
9. Battant Bridge
Battant Bridge connects the two banks of the Doubs in the heart of Besançon and offers a lovely view of the city center, between lively riverbanks and riverside scenery. As you cross it, you can enjoy views of the river, the quays and the facades lining this historic area. It is also a convenient crossing point for reaching several shopping streets and riverside walks along the Doubs on foot. Depending on the time of day, the area takes on a different atmosphere, quieter in the morning and livelier during the day.
10. Victor Hugo Birthplace, Besançon
Victor Hugo’s birthplace in Besançon invites visitors to discover the place where the writer’s childhood took shape, in a setting rich with memory. Housed in a historic residence in the city center, this space offers a visitor route dedicated to Victor Hugo, his family background and his connection with the city. Visitors will find key points about his life, his work and his era, as well as displays that help explain the importance of this major figure in French literature. It is a popular cultural stop when exploring Besançon.
11. Le Petit Train of Besançon
The Little Train of Besançon is a pleasant way to discover the city by passing through its main districts and iconic landmarks aboard a small tourist train. This route lets you catch a glimpse of the historic center, the banks of the Doubs River, and several viewpoints over Besançon’s monuments, while enjoying a guided tour that is accessible to everyone. It is an ideal attraction for getting your bearings in the city, admiring its heritage without effort, and enjoying a friendly ride with family or friends.
Antony M
During my travels, I looked for guides who spoke my language. This search turned out to be long and tedious. That is why I created MYTOGU (My Tourist Guide): a matching site between tourists and professional tourist guides.
