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 The Besançon Citadel by Loeffle
The Besançon Citadel was built between 1668 and 1711 playing an integral part of Vauban's border fortification system (other examples are for example Belfort, Neuf-Brisach or Saarlouis) against the Germans. It extends over 11 hectares and stands more than 100 metres above the old town of Besançon, which lies below almost entirely encircled by River Doubs. The view is breathtaking as you can imagine.
The Citadel is a fortress that has been restored to a remarkable high standard and is not a unique cultural and tourist attraction.
For me the very special thing about the Besançon Citadel is the combination of a historical site which hosts modern museums. For example there's a small zoo in the ditches of the Citadel.
In addition to the zoo the Besançon Citadel hosts the following museums and exhibitions:
- Vauban exhibition and the ramparts
- Franche-Comté Museum (regional)
- Museum of the Resistance and the Deportations (WW II)
- Noctarium (dark world of small nocturnal animals)
- Insectarium (world of insects)
- Aquarium
During summer there are guided tours through the Citadel. You can also get audio guides.
The Besançon Citadel is open all year round with exception of January 1st and December 25 th. Museums are closed on Tuesday from November 1 st to Easter. No dogs admitted!
A miniature railway, a free bus from city centre (in summer), a café, snack bar, restaurant with panorama view over the city, a boutique, a bookshop and a seminar room can also be found there.
Prices (Citadel and all museums) 3,50 to 7 € Leave a Comment Address: High above BesançonPhone: + 33 (0) 3 81 87 83 33Website: http://www.citadelle.com Other Contact: sem.citadelle@besancon.com
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 L' Hôtel de Ville by Loeffle
On the right, an immense niche contained, up to the French Revolution, a bronze fountain representing Charles V astride a two-headed eagle; to this day it is surmounted by the town motto, Pleut à Dieu (“Pleasing to God”). The 15th century municipal aune (0.815 m) is on the extreme left of the facade.
L' Hôtel de Ville is located just across Saint-Pierre on Place du Huit Septembre. I refer to the warnings I included on that tip.
Anyway, Place du Huit Septembre offers some nice cafés and bars where you can sit outdoors. Especially in summertime a good and comfortable option. Prices are not too expensive (if you want to save money visit side roads) Leave a Comment Address: Old Town - Place du Huit Septembre
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 Victor Hugo's birthplace by Loeffle
In another house on Place Victor Hugo (northern end) Auguste and Louis Lumière (1862-1954 and 1864-1948) were born. They eventually invented cinematography.
You can see the "faces" of all these famous sons of Besançon in different windows at Place Victor Hugo. Leave a Comment Address: Place Victor HugoDirections: On Grand Rue between Place du Huit Semptember and Cathedral Saint-Jean
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 The Doubs in evening twilight by Loeffle
The loop it forms around the city of Besançon is very famous and therefore the river was very important for the founding of the city (see Citadel and overview page). For many centuries Pont de Battant (replacing the old Roman stone bridge which was part of the road connecting Italy with the Rhine Provinces) was the only bridge over the Doubs in Besançon.
The superb architectural sweep of the Quai Vauban punctuated by the arcades of the 17th century houses.
At Villers-le-Lac, the Doubs spreads out in large pools and soon turns into an impressive 27 meters waterfall, called Saut du Doubs (the Doubs Sault). Boat cruises are available from Villers-le-Lac.
The river gave its name to the Doubs department and makes its mark along its course. Its name (Doubs) originates in the Latin word "Dubius" meaning "doubtful". To achieve a distance of 90 km from its source to the point where it flows into the Saône river, it changes direction three times and flows 430 km with 190 km of navigable waterways. Leave a Comment Address: NW End of Old Town and SW of Pont de Battant
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 Church of Saint-Pierre by Loeffle
The neo-classical facade with its Corinthian colonnade surmounted by a pyramid-shaped tower may strike a bizarre note, but inside the dominating impression is one of unity. The many works of art include the woodwork of the choir, the pietà by Luc Breton and the original Stations of the Cross.
You will find Saint-Pierre easily: It is just across Hôtel de Ville on Place du Huit Septembre. Be careful! Most tourist are in this part of the town, so only thieves are there (own experience!) Leave a Comment Address: Old Town - Place du Huit Semtembre
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There are many activity opportunities and many places to visit in Besançon.Hotel de Ville,Palais de Justice,Eglise St.Madeleine,Musée des Beaux Arts are some of place that should be visited.If you want you can do a tour around the city with a bateau-mouche.Citadel is also very attractive place.There is a zoo and botanic garden in it.In summer many spectacles and festivals are made in it.
You may go there by bus (from Place du Huit Septembre).Many festivals,concerts especially jazz&classic and competitions such as chess (le concours d'échecs) are taken place throughout the year.There are also many beautiful parks in Besançon.
Besançon is a very beautiful city that should be visited.It is a wonderful,historical green city surrounded by natural beauty. Leave a Comment
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 by Pierre_Rouss
Classification: Wine Tasting , Hiking , Photography , Site Seeing Leave a Comment Directions: Around Lons-Le-Saulnier, between Arbois and St-Amour.
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 by Pierre_Rouss
Classification: Photography , Site Seeing Leave a Comment Address: North East of Besancon.
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Museum of the Resistance and Deportation
A poignant witness to this period of history
20 rooms spread over two floors examine, with the help of photographs,
writings, documents and original objects, themes linked to the
second world war; Nazism and its origins, the war and
the Vichy regime, the deportation, the resistance in
Franche-Comté, in France, Europe-wide and the Liberation.
Plan to spend one to two full days here. Leave a Comment
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 by Pierre_Rouss
Classification: Hiking , Cycling/Mountain Biking , Mountain Climbing , Rock Climbing , Photography , Site Seeing Leave a Comment
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- Mercure Parc Micaud
3 avenue Edouard Droz, Besançon - MERCURE BESANCON PRC MICAUD 3M
3 avenue Edouard Droz, Besançon - COMFORT INN PRIMEVERE
Espace industriel de Palente - 1 - Route de Marchaux (formerly Comfort Inn), Besançon - BESANCON-OUEST CHATEAUFARINE - CA
4 Rue Louis Aragon, Besançon - Inter Hotel De L Horloge Restaurant
Espace industriel de Palente - 1 - Route de Marchaux (formerly Comfort Inn), Besançon - Ibis Besancon Centre Ville
21 rue Gambetta, Besançon - Mercure Centre Hotel - Besancon
3 avenue Edouard Droz, Besançon - Campanile Besançon Ecole Valentin
1 Rue de Chatillon Espace Valentin, Besançon - Hotel Balladins Besancon Confort
9 Rue Leonard de Vinci, Besançon - Granvelle
13 Rue Lecourbe, Besançon - Le Relais De La Vallee Hotel Hyevre-Paroisse
Rue Principale, Besançon - Kyriad Besançon Ecole Valentin
58 Rue des Maisonnettes Ecole-Valentin, Besançon - Citea Besancon
11 Avenue Louise Michel, Besançon - Inter Hotel de l'Horloge (formerly Comfort Inn)
Espace industriel de Palente - 1 - Route de Marchaux (formerly Comfort Inn), Besançon - Citea Residence Besancon
11 Avenue Louise Michel, Besançon
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