Would you like to discover Besançon along the water, with a view of the mountains? We take you to a green area.
The city of Besançon, in Franche-Comté, offers you outdoor activities for a total change of scenery.
The citadel of Besançon
Take a step up and admire the city from the region's leading tourist site. The Besançon citadel is a work of Vauban dating from the 17th century. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its remarkable architecture over a surface area of around ten hectares.
At its heart are three museums with the "Musées de France" label: the Musée Comtois, the Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation and the Besançon Museum.
Micaud Park
The Micaud promenade offers a natural setting in the heart of Besançon. Stroll along the banks of the Doubs to see the assets of the English-style park. Beautiful flowers bloom every year in the first days of spring and give a touch of colour to this green setting.
The walk will allow you to admire numerous viewpoints, notably on the Citadel of Besançon. Play areas and activities (such as a pony ride) punctuate the days of visitors to the park.
Besançon Zoo
The city's zoo is a very pleasant place to visit. It is an integral part of the Besançon castle and has incredible views of the historic site. At the corner of an enclosure, it is not uncommon to come across an animal keeper who takes care of the animals in the park.
They will be happy to tell you about the animals of the zoo to complement the various attractive and educational explanations. Lions, monkeys, birds and fish will enliven your day's visit.
The forest of Chailluz
Get out of town for a while and lose yourself in the Chailluz forest, which covers more than 1500 hectares. Hiking enthusiasts will enjoy walking along the marked paths to the rhythm of the birdsong.
Families can enjoy a picnic in the middle of nature in one of the many areas provided for this purpose. If you love animals, keep an eye out for them. Wild boars, fallow deer and stags are happy to come and meet you.
Granvelle Square
Let's go back to the city centre of Besançon for this last find in the middle of nature. The square Granvelle belongs to the palace of the same name which dates from the 16th century Renaissance.
It is located in the historic district of La Boucle and offers a walk under the trees. It is particularly popular with tourists in the summer, as they find themselves in the shade of the leaves in an old-fashioned setting.
