From Wikitravel

Besançon is a city in Franche-Comté of France.

[edit] Get in

The best way to come to Besançon is by train (3 hours from Paris). Good connections from Lyon or Strasbourg.

By car (Highway : Autoroute A36) By bus (Eurolines)

[edit] Get around

The easiest way to get into this small town is by foot, although there is a cheap and regular bus network ([[1]])which is one of the best in France! (Tickets can be bought from the driver)

There is now a good system to rent bicycles wherever you are and to take it back wherever you arrive, which is combined with the bus network.

Two international airports, EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg and Lyon Saint-Exupéry International Airport, can be reached in about 2 hours.

[edit][add listing] See

The Citadel, built by the famous architect Vauban in the 17th century is the major attraction in this town, comprising both a museum and a zoo-where lions, baboons and fish you can touch all provide a fantastic experience for the young and old alike. There is the opportunity to see impressive views of the countryside and the town on a walk around its fortifications.

Besançon is a well-preserved Renaissance city and the historic part, located in the "Boucle" of the river is simply breath-taking with the remains of what is perceived to have been a theatre in Castan Square-eight Roman Corinthian columns among the most ancient of the town's attractions.

Granvelle Palace, the museum of time, is yet another must-see in this authentic French town. The Tuscan, Ionic and Corinthian columns along with three gothic windows, once the features the Granvelle Palace, have become part of the impressive museum of time; another riveting place to visit.

The museum of Fine Arts and Archeology, renowned as one of France's oldest and richest museums has collections from Primitive and Renaissance painters, and again provides a place that would be tragic to miss!

[edit][add listing] Do

There are many guided tours to satisfy all interests including around various museums and the town.

There is certainly no shortage of sport and leisure activities with canoe trips and other water sports, boat trips around the city, self-service bicycles, climbing, pony rides all being available.

As one has come to expect of a French town, Besancon has a plethora of cycle tracks which allow exploration further into its beautiful scenery - and they certainly do not disappoint. Velocity Besançon is 200 bikes spread over 30 stations - one every 300 meters in the heart of town! This system, successfully adopted in other major cities like Paris, Lyon and Aix-en-Provence, is really a form of "individual transportation". The first 30 minutes are free.

Cinemas include:

• Cinéma Marché Beaux-Arts
• Le Plazza Victor Hugo Ciméma art et essai.
• Cinéma Mégarama

[edit][add listing] Buy

Shops in Besancon cater for all needs and tastes with the shops ranging from department stores like Galeries La Fayette to small French boutiques.

Other shops include Promod, Pimkie, and various book, gadget and sports shops.

[edit][add listing] Eat

A tribute to the infamous Cuisine Francaise, the flavours of Besancon can be enjoyed throughout the town in various restaurants. Of course, these days, a city wouldn't be a city without its fair share of fast-food which manifests itself in a Subway and several chicken and pizza places.

French baguettes filled with savoury delights at reasonable prices and the city's famous cheese-Comté, make the impressive gastronomy often associated with the French commonplace throughout Besancon.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Possibly one of the most important things to consider when booking a weekend away or a holiday is where to stay, and luckily Besancon offers practically every type of accommodation imaginable, regardless of your budget.

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