Franche-Comte
Visit Franche-Comte, France
Between France and Switzerland, between plains and mountains, Franche-Comté has some interesting towns and villages - and some impressive scenery with vineyards and lakes, forests and mountains, as scenic backdrop
General information
Visit Franche-Comté
Franche-Comte is found to the east of France and borders onto Switzerland. As you head towards the east of the region you start to leave the rolling countryside and smaller peaks of the Jura mountains, cross the high plateaux, and enter the Alps 'proper'.
There are four French departments in Franche-Comté: Haute-Saone to the north, Territoire-de-Belfort in the north-east, Doubs in the centre of the region and Jura to the south.
Haute-Saone / Territoire de Belfort (north Franche-Comté)
The most important towns here are Belfort itself, and Vesoul, capital of the Haute-Saone department.
The Chapelle de Notre-Dame-du-Haut, at Ronchamp, 20km north-west of Belfort, is one of Le Corbusiers most famous buildings and a big attraction for his followers.
The towns of Gray and Luxeuil-les-Bains are also to visit, and a trip the the beautiful village of Pesmes is recommended.
Doubs (central Franche-Comté)
See the town of Besancon, capital of the Franche-Comte region, and the Royal saltworks at Arc-et-Senans,
See also the town and castle at Montbeliard, and the town of Baume-les-Dames.
Visit the village at Ornans, then also visit Lods (a classified most beautiful village). The historical border town of Pontarlier is on the edge of the Jura mountain range.
Jura (south Franche-Comté)
Dole is an attractive town in the Jura department of the Franche-Comte region, known especially for the impressive Dole Collegiale.
Explore also the cluster of towns that includes Arbois, Poligny, and Salins-les-Bains, and the town of Moirans-en-Montagne, best known for its toy museum.
Two 'most beautiful villages' can be seen in the southern part of the region near Lons-le-Saunier at Baume-les-Messieurs, and Chateau-Chalon.
General Franche-Comte information
Much of the countryside is an unspoiled mix of forests and open country, interspersed with lakes and rivers, and it is for 'the great outdoors' that most visitors come to the region - a couple of natural highlights include the Parc Regional du Haut-Jura and the valley of the Loue River (passes through the Doubs and Jura departments).
Places to Visit
Selected places to visit in Franche-Comte
A quiet town typical of the Jura, Arbois was once home to the laboratory of Louis Pasteur
Stunning location for this pretty village dominated by a large abbey complex
An important regional town, Belfort is overlooked by the massive walls of its fortified citadelBelfort
There is a great deal to discover in Besancon, including a cathedral and an impressive Museum of Fine ArtsBesancon
Stunning location for the jura village at Chateau-Chalon, a classified 'most beautiful village in France'Chateau-Chalon
A small village in an idyllic riverside location, Lods is beautifully lit in summer evenings
The bustling local town of Lons-le-Saunier is also home to the odlest dinosaur skeleton in France!Lons-le-Saunier
See the scenic highlights, walks and picnic spots along the pretty valley of the Loue riverLoue River Valley
The popular Jura town of Luxeuil-les-Bains is best known for its impressive 13th century basilicaLuxeuil-les-Bains
Montbeliard is an intersting town dominated by a large castle on a clifftop above the town centreMontbeliard
The high altitude town of Pontarlier is on the edge of the Jura mountains close to SwitzerlandPontarlier
The view of the houses along the riverfront in Ornans is one of the highlights of a visit to the JuraOrnans
World famous chapel designed by Le Corbusier to replace an earlier church that had been destroyedRonchamp Chapel
Salins-les-Bains is a fascinating glimpse into this historically important salt industrySalins-les-Bains
The Royal Saltworks is a fascinating 19th century industrial complex 
With an interesting historic centre, Vesoul also has easy access to popular Jura scenic attractionsVesoul
Franche-Comte markets
Market towns & days in Franche-Comte
all markets in morning unless otherwise stated
Arbois: FridayAudincourt: Saturday
Belfort: Wednesday & Thursday & Sunday & Monday & Friday
Besancon: Wednesday & Tuesday & Thursday all day & Sunday & Saturday & Friday
Bethoncourt: Friday
Bletterans: Tuesday
Champagnole: Saturday
Clairvaux-les-Lacs: Wednesday
Dole: Tuesday & Thursday & Saturday
Fesches-le-Chatel: Friday
Gray: Tuesday & Friday
Jussey: Tuesday
Levier: Wednesday
Lons-le-Saunier: Thursday all day
Lure: Tuesday
Melisey: Wednesday
Montbeliard: Tuesday & Saturday
Morez: Saturday all day
Pontarlier: Thursday
Saint-Amour: Saturday
Saint-Claude: Saturday
Saint-Loup-sur-Semouse: Monday
Saint-Sauveur: Sunday
Sochaux: Thursday
Valentigney: Tuesday
Vesoul: Thursday & Saturday
Highlights
Classified tourist sites to visit in Franche-Comte
Listed below are some of the main places and destinations in Franche-Comte that have received 'official' tourist classifications.
National Monuments
Regional Natural Parcs
Haut-Jura
Listed 'Remarkable Gardens'
Jardin à la Faulx
Jardin des jeux du château d'Arlay
Parc de l'Etang
Roseraie du Chatelet
Sites of Natural Beauty
Gouffre de Poudrey
Lac de Lamoura
Saut du Doubs
4* Towns in Bloom
Belfort
Mandeure
Moffans-et-Vacheresse
Montbeliard
Rougegoutte
Zoo or wildlife park
Citadelle de Besançon
Franche-Comté information
- General information
- Suggested places to visit
- Markets in Franche-Comte
- Franche-Comte map
- Tourist highlights
- See an index of places for each department: Haute-Saone communes, Doubs communes, Jura communes
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