The Musée du Temps in Besançon: a museum in a palace
Located in the heart of a prestigious Renaissance palace, the Granvelle Palace, the Time Museum retraces the great moments of watchmaking in Besançon, bringing together the history of time measurement and the history of the city.
The evocation of Besançon as a "watchmaking capital" is reflected in the museum through the city's heritage collections. In addition to the famous Leroy 01, long considered the most complicated watch in the world, the museum presents some of the instruments of the Besançon Astronomical Observatory, which certified the correct operation of the chronometers, as well as the educational material of the National Watchmaking School. In addition, the watchmaking collections offer an overview of the history of the discipline, with Ferdinand Berthoud and Antide Janvier representing some of the greatest names in watchmaking history.
At the same time, tapestries, famous people, relief drawings, historical paintings, furniture and objets d'art invite us to delve into the history of the place, the town and even the Franche-Comté region.
To finish, a panorama of the city's roofs is offered to visitors after contemplating Foucault's famous pendulum, located at the foot of the palace tower, which gives rhythm to the Earth's rotation.
Located in the heart of a prestigious Renaissance palace, the Granvelle Palace, the Time Museum retraces the great moments of watchmaking in Besançon, bringing together the history of time measurement and the history of the city.
The evocation of Besançon as a "watchmaking capital" is reflected in the museum through the city's heritage collections. In addition to the famous Leroy 01, long considered the most complicated watch in the world, the museum presents some of the instruments of the Besançon Astronomical Observatory, which certified the correct operation of the chronometers, as well as the educational material of the National Watchmaking School. In addition, the watchmaking collections offer an overview of the history of the discipline, with Ferdinand Berthoud and Antide Janvier representing some of the greatest names in watchmaking history.
At the same time, tapestries, famous people, relief drawings, historical paintings, furniture and objets d'art invite us to delve into the history of the place, the town and even the Franche-Comté region.
To finish, a panorama of the city's roofs is offered to visitors after contemplating Foucault's famous pendulum, located at the foot of the palace tower, which gives rhythm to the Earth's rotation.
Dates
Closing days
Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday
Opening periods
Opening times
Open to the general public:
Low season from 2 November to 31 March (excluding school holidays): Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday / 2pm-6pm
High season from 1 April to 31 October, and during zone A school holidays: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday / 10am-12.30pm 2pm-6pm
All year round: Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays / 10am-6pm non-stop
Groups welcome:
Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm
Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 6pm without interruption
Closed on
Closed on Mondays
Annual closures: 1 January, 1 May, 1 November, 25 December
from Mon 11/03 to Fri 12/19/2025 : Tue-Sun : from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
from Sat 12/20 to Wed 12/24/2025 : Tue-Fri : from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm / from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm - Sat, Sun : from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
from Fri 12/26 to Wed 12/31/2025 : Tue-Fri : from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm / from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm - Sat, Sun : from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
from Sat 12/20 to Wed 12/24/2025 : Tue-Fri : from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm / from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm - Sat, Sun : from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
from Fri 12/26 to Wed 12/31/2025 : Tue-Fri : from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm / from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm - Sat, Sun : from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Practical information
Group service
Thematic
Museum
Industry
Profession
New technology and images
History
Science and technology
Activities
Specific theme activities
Adult workshop
Junior workshop
Conferences
Temporary exhibitions
Visits for individuals
| Duration of the visit | 1 MINUTE |
Tours for groups
Services
Shop
Room rental
Rates
| MINI | Max | Additional information | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gratuities | 1st Sunday of the month | ||
| Base rate - full rate adult | 9 € | - | Combined ticket with the Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeology and Maison Victor Hugo |
| other prices | 7 € | - | Bisontin rate |
| other prices | 4.5 € | - | reduced rate |
Means of payment
Credit card
Payment cards
Cheques and postal orders
Cash
Eurocard - Mastercard
Visa