A green tourism destination, Franche-Comté has a generous nature where rivers, forests, lakes and mountains meet. Ideal to recharge your batteries and spend time in the open air, it also invites you to discover its rich heritage and to taste its many gourmet specialties.
During your stay in Franche-Comté, several cities are essential stops. Go to Besançon, built around a meander of the Doubs river and surrounded by steep hills. While walking through the historic center, you will appreciate the Gothic cathedral of Saint-Jean, the astronomical clock and the house of Victor Hugo. But don't miss the Vauban citadel, the illustrious symbol of the city. Then go to Belfort to admire the Saint-Christophe cathedral, the town hall and the citadel at the foot of which stands the superb Lion of Auguste Bartholdi. But also visit Lons-le-Saunier, the city of salt, Vesoul for its old quarter and Luxeuil-les-Bains, the thermal city of pink sandstone.
Then leave on the many tourist routes that crisscross the Franche-Comté. For an escapade full of flavors, follow the roads of Comté and visit the farms, the cheese dairies and the cellars where the famous cheese is matured. Then take the "absinthe road", between Jura and Switzerland, or discover the numerous towns of character of the region: Baume-les-Dames, Arbois, Poligny, Gray... Near Arc-et-Senans, discover the impressive Royal Saltworks which was built at the end of the 18th century and which is a Unesco World Heritage Site. But also make a detour to Lods, one of the most beautiful villages in France, to the fort of Joux which overlooks the Pontarlier cluse and to the castle of Oricourt which dates from the 12th century.
Discover also the superb natural environment of Franche-Comté. On foot, follow the trails of the Southern Vosges, the itinerary of the Échappée Jurassienne or the sumptuous GR 5, 9 and 59. By bike, flirt with the border on the FrancoVéloSuisse, admire the Doubs valley on the Eurovélo 6 or ride your mountain bike along the Jura Zed. Enjoy the many rivers and lakes of the region for swimming or canyoning. In winter, take advantage of the many alpine ski resorts and Nordic ski areas such as the one in Prémanon. Finally, enjoy a good meal: Morteau or Montbéliard sausages, fondue, morbiflette, cancoillotte, coq au vin jaune, griottines...