Franche-Comte places to visit and attractions
Below you can explore some of the most popular highlights and places of interest in the Franche-Comte region. See also our Franche-Comte travel guide.
Arbois (Jura)
After exploring the old town centre in Arbois you can visit the scenic Cirque de Fer à Cheval nearby See Arbois guide
Baume-les-Messieurs (Jura)
The attractive village of Baume-les-Messieurs is surrounded by cliffs and steep wooded slopes and dominated by its 13th century abbey See Baume-les-Messieurs guide
Belfort (Territoire-de-Belfort)
The town of Belfort and its citadel are pleasant to exlore when you are in the southern Vosges region See Belfort guide
Besancon (Doubs)
The citadel, cathedral and some impressive 16th century townhouses are among the highlights to discover in Besancon See Besancon guide
Chateau de Cleron (Doubs)
The gardens of the Chateau de Cleron can be seen next to the Loue River in the village of Cleron in Doubs See Chateau de Cleron guide
Chateau de Joux (Doubs)
The Chateau de Joux is an imposing clifftop castle with a 1000 year history close to Pontarlier See Chateau de Joux guide Advertisement
Chateau-Chalon (Jura)
One of the key reasons to visit the pretty village of Chateau-Chalon is its hilltop position with lovely views across the vineyards in the valley below See Chateau-Chalon guide
Dole (Jura)
The Collegiale Church that dominates the town skyline is the principal attraction in Dole, and a stroll along the river banks See Dole guide
Lods (Doubs)
Lods is quite small but very pleasant to explore, in particular the village along the waterfalls on the Loue river See Lods guide
Lons-le-Saunier (Jura)
Lons-le-Saunier is a traditional local town of the Franche-Comté region, well placed to explore the Jura See Lons-le-Saunier guide
Luxeuil-les-Bains (Haute-Saone)
In Luxeuil-les-Bains, established as a spa town since Roman times, you can also see Saint Peter's basilica and some 15th century townhouses with ornate stonework See Luxeuil-les-Bains guide
Montbeliard (Doubs)
It is the castle in Montbeliard, on a raised rocky platform, that dominates the town centre See Montbeliard guide
Mouthier-Haute-Pierre (Doubs)
The small village of Mouthier-Haute-Pierre is well placed to explore the source of the Loue river and several other scenic highlights in Doubs See Mouthier-Haute-Pierre guide
Ornans (Doubs)
The highlight of your visit to Ornans is the section along the Loue river, crossed by old stone bridges and with lovely houses on the riverside See Ornans guide
Pesmes (Haute-Saone)
The quaint village of Pesmes is one of the prettiest in Franche-Comté and also has several individual places of interest See Pesmes guide Advertisement
Pontarlier (Doubs)
Pontarlier is usually visited as part of a trip to enjoy the local scenery and outddor activities, and has several monuments of note See Pontarlier guide
Ronchamp chapel (Haute-Saone)
The Ronchamp Chapel is the best known work by architect Le Corbusier to be seen in France See Ronchamp chapel guide
Saint-Hippolyte (Doubs)
Saint-Hippolyte is in a beautiful position on the confluence of the Doubs and Dessoubre rivers See Saint-Hippolyte guide
Salins-les-Bains (Jura)
The salt mines at Salins-les-Bains operated from the 13th - 20th century and are now an important local attraction and a UNESCO world heritage site See Salins-les-Bains guide
Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans (Doubs)
The Royal Saltworks at Arc-et-Senans is an entire factory and living spaces that were once the centre of the important local salt industry See Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans guide
Vesoul (Haute-Saone)
Although lacking major monuments, Vesoul is a pleasant town to visit with some attractive buildings and a nice park See Vesoul guideFor more information see the Franche-Comte guide
Tourist attractions to visit in Franche-Comte
The following sites have received official "tourist classifications"...
UNESCO world heritage sites
Besancon citadelle (Vauban fortifications): See tourist guide
Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans: See tourist guide
Villages classified as "most beautiful villages"
Baume-les-Messieurs: See tourist guide
Chateau-Chalon: See tourist guide
Lods: See tourist guide
National Monuments
Astronomical clock of Besancon: See tourist guide
Towns classified as Recommended Detours
Pontarlier: See tourist guide
Salins-les-Bains: See tourist guide
Regional Natural Parcs
Haut-Jura
Secteur Sauvegardé (protected historical town centre)
Besancon: See tourist guide
Dole: See tourist guide
Towns of Art and History
Arbois: See tourist guide
Besancon: See tourist guide
Dole: See tourist guide
Salins-les-Bains: See tourist guide
4* Towns in Bloom
Belfort: See tourist guide
Mandeure
Moffans-et-Vacheresse
Montbeliard: See tourist guide
Rougegoutte
Zoo or wildlife park
Citadelle de Besançon
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