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Besancon, Doubs, Franche-Comté

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Nestled in a bend of the Doubs River, Besançon is a gem of the Franche-Comté region in France. With its rich historical and cultural heritage, this city will captivate and enchant its visitors. Explore the majestic Citadel of Besançon, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and dive into the fascinating history of the region with exceptional museums like the Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeology. Marvel at t...See more

Walking around Besancon

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Hikes for all levels in Besancon.
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Pontarlier
45 km

Pontarlier

Roaming along the roads of the historical centre, this city tour will take you on a discovery of Pontarlier’s emblematic locations: architectural, historical and symbolic city buildings, the banks of the Doubs and a viewpoint over the city. From the Tourist Office (), descend rue de la Gare to rue de la République.Head to Place d’Arçon, on your left. From here, you can see the Saint-Pierre gate at the end of the road.From the square, take rue de la Halle near the theatre. At the end of the road, head to the old barracks via place des Bernardines and place Cretin, on your right. Go to the bridge across the Doubs by heading through place Jules Pagnier and rue de Morteau.From here, make a round trop (1.2 km) to the Armand Guy distillery via rue des Lavaux.On returning to rue de Morteau, enter the park on the edge of the Doubs and follow the embankments on a little adapted path; this will take you to the other side of the park. Join up with rue de la République by leaving the park through rue Julez Mathez, where you will find the Jeanne d’Arc high school.   On arriving at rue de la République, head left until you reach another bridge over the Doubs. From here, make a round trip to the Hospital to observe its facade and the two chapels that can be seen from the road.On returning to rue de la République, after crossing the bridge once more, head down rue Montrieux and take rue Gambetta on your right to reach place Saint-Bénigne and the church. From the square, head to the train station vie rue Tissot. From here, you can head directly to the Tourist Office via rue de la Gare. You can also make a round trip of under 2 km to the Chapelle de l’Espérance, with a stunning viewpoint over the whole city. It can be accessed by heading down rocade George Pompidou until you come to rue du Stand, then head under the railway and take rue de la Chapelle (yellow waymarking) directly to the viewpoint.

2 h
5.1 km
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Trip around Remoray lake
55 km

Trip around Remoray lake

A quick peddle around the National Natural Reserve of the Remoray lake and the Saint Point lake, a circuit with diverse relief and marked by a belvedere that opens onto both lakes in the green valley of the High Doubs. From the centre of REMORAY, ) take the “route des Grandes Plaines” to your right (red MTB waymarking no. 12), which gradually ascends to a forest massif towards La Côte. Take a small muddy trail to the left, and join up with a forest path, continuing again to the left for around 900 m. In the wide bend to the right, turn left (MTB crossing) and exit onto a pasture. Follow the path to your left and then the white path that leads to Sur la Côte. Head up the earthy path to the right, through the pastures, towards la Grande Combe. Branch off to the left on a white path that heads into the forest and, after around 600 metres, turn right onto a grassy trail. From here, follow a succession of small muddy, grassy or stony trails that soon meet up with a forest road. Head down the road to your left, head past the Les Trois Portes chalet and branch off to the right to follow a path along the forest for around 1 km.Branch off to the left again and follow the forest path that meets up with a forest road after 450 m. Follow this road to the left for 150 m and take the path to the right.Joining up with a wide forest path just before descending to the village of Boujeons, do not miss the trail that turns left straight away (MTB path) and crosses through the pastures until coming to the village of Boujeons. Take the main village road by turning left, then turn right down towards the village sawmill. Cross a small bridge and leave the village, taking the tarmac road that ascends to your left and turns into a white path through the pastures until you reach La Plaine à Chaillet. Cross the pasture by turning left, then take the forest trail that opens onto a white path. Shortly after, turn left (MTB path) and cross the pastures using a small grassy trail until you come to Les Brétilles, just above Le Brey. Take the road to the left, without heading all the way down to the main road, and then follow a stony path that ascends into the forest through a clearing. Branch off to the right on a forest track that heads up to the BELVEDERE OF THE TWO LAKES (BELVEDERE DES DEUX LACS). Head down a small muddy trail to a road, then turn right to reach theRF Marcel Goux Parking lot. Head left to the Buclet intersection on the road towards Remoray. Follow the road to your left for 100 m and take the parallel forest path that once again comes out onto this road. Head up to REMORAY after crossing the bridge over the Drésine, a small river that feeds the Remoray lake.

4 h
18 km
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The two lakes belvedere
58 km

The two lakes belvedere

A diverse circuit focused around the subject of water with, at its highest point, a belvedere over the Remoray and Saint-Point lakes. Starting in the BREY town hall parking lot, the trail (yellow and blue waymarking) heads down the village via the road just below the main road, before leaving the hamlet by passing alongside the D 437. The path - which is suitable for vehicles - heads towards le Fuverat and passes through the artisanal zone, before leading to a new fork. The trail continues on a forest road that descends to the left. After crossing the « Lhaut » stream, the itinerary meets up with a road, in this open forest, that you will follow to the left. Walk past the Capucins source to reach the Lhaut bridge. The trail then heads back uphill for around 10 meters along the D437 (Take care when crossing the road!). At the junction with a forest road, climb the embankment and take the trail that gradually ascends through the forest, to access "route de Remoray", in Buclet.  To the left the circuit joins the RF Marcel Goux parking lot to access the forest road and follows this road 100m uphill before taking a steep trail opening on to the TWO LAKES BELVEDERE. With your back to the belvedere, a trail runs through the forest, crosses a pasture, before coming to a road just under the Brey hamlet. This trail then ascends to the right towards les Bretilles. Return to your starting point by heading down the farm road with low walls and ash trees to your left (take care when crossing the D437).

2 h
5.2 km
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Alpine pastures along the ridges
58 km

Alpine pastures along the ridges

From the Mont-d’Or and its cliffs, a panoramic view will give you the breath of fresh air you may have been lacking during the ascent through the Morond and the ridges. This view is followed by a beautiful descent through the alpine pastures and forests that will please fans of short trails. From the Métabief Tourist Office () take the tarmac road that heads up towards MOROND.Follow this road (red MTB waymarking no. 77) heading through the crossroads at La Cheneau, La Fontaine aux Oiseaux, Tournant des Canons, Monrond and Sous le Monrond until you reach Sous la Citerne. From here, you can reach the summit of the MOROND to make the most of your first beautiful viewpoint. Take the “chemin des crêtes” until you come to the Mont d’Or parking lot. The Mont d’Or summit can be accessed by foot from here within 10 minutes.From the parking lot, follow the road to the Pâturages de la Grangette (La Grangette pastures).Branch off to your right on a narrow grassy trail that heads down through the pastures and wooded meadows. At La Barthelette, continue on the trail to your left which opens onto a little road. Take the road to your left, then turn right and continue on until you reach the alpine pasture farm of la Bartelette. Turn left and follow a grassy trail through the pastures, gradually ascending into the forest, and exit onto LA BOISSAUDE (). Head past the old farm and descend to your right on an open trail to join up with a tarmac road, you will soon come to LES GRANGES RAGUIN. Turn right after the building and take the muddy and stony path that runs along a meadow and then descends into the forest. Take the tarmac road and follow it for 700 m. Turn right onto a small trail to reach Les Toises. Continue to your right and reach the road in Les Meix. Turn right again and head through a small wooded area to reach Les Chapusets. Head approximately 700 m down the road to your left, before turning right and coming to Les Crétets and La Roche.Follow the road to your right until you reach the heart of LES LONGEVILLES (). Just before the church, turn right, head past the town hall and take the white path to your left until you reach Les Perrières and head on to the METABIEF TOURIST OFFICE.

4 h
20 km
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What to do in Besancon

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Enjoy the activities available in Besancon for moments of relaxation and fun.
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What to visit in Besancon

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Savor the local cuisine of Besancon.
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Where to eat in Besancon

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Come and taste typical dishes of Besancon.
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Where to sleep in Besancon

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Explore lodging possibilities in Besancon.
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Caution!
We have no information on the difficulty of this circuit. You may encounter some surprises along the way. Before you go, please feel free to inquire more and take all necessary precautions. Have a good trip! 🌳🥾