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Must-sees

A historically fascinating city, Besançon is on the UNESCO World Heritage List because of its Vauban fortifications.

Citadel

The fortress is one of Vauban's masterpieces, and it is said that its construction was so costly that Louis XIV enquired as to whether the walls had been made out of gold.

Museum of Fine Arts and Archeology

The oldest public collection in France, the Museum of Fine Arts of Besançon was created in 1694.

Museum of Time

The Museum of Time, in Granvelle Palace, combines history, timepieces, clockmaking and science.

Contemporary Art

The regional Fund for Contemporary Art is settled in the "Cité des Arts", gratifying the contemporary art in the whole city.

Victor Hugo's birthplace

No. 140, Grande Rue is the place to learn about and reflect upon the extraordinary heritage, both literary and political, that he left for us.

International music festival

The Besançon Franche-Comté Music Festival was created in 1948: it is one of the oldest and most prestigious music festivals in France.

UNESCO world heritage

After the Vauban Fortifications in 2008, It is now another flagship of Grand Besançon history which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site: watchmaking know-how

The astronomical clock

This incredible clock is considered a masterpiece of the genre. It has 30,000 moving parts and shows 122 indications.

BESANÇON TOURISME ET CONGRÈS

52 Grande rue (Hôtel de Ville, place du 8 Septembre) – 25000 Besançon

Opening times

Low Season:

From Monday to Saturday : 10am -12.30 and 1.30-6pm

On Sunday during school holiday and on June and September : 10am – 1pm

High Season – July and August:

From Monday to Sunday : 10am – 6pm

Closed on Bank holidays, except on High Season

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