Guidebook for Besançon
Food Scene
Inventive and diverse menu that changes regularly based on available, fresh and local ingredients. Great wine list. Try to eat on their beautiful terrace when the weather is nice. Reservations recommended.
9 Einheimische empfehlen
La pension
22 Rue BersotInventive and diverse menu that changes regularly based on available, fresh and local ingredients. Great wine list. Try to eat on their beautiful terrace when the weather is nice. Reservations recommended.
Fabulous Art Nouveau brasserie with delicious food and wine. Just a few doors down from the apartment.
7 Einheimische empfehlen
Brasserie Du Commerce
31 Rue des GrangesFabulous Art Nouveau brasserie with delicious food and wine. Just a few doors down from the apartment.
If you love fondue, you won't find any better than this. Worth the climb up the hill to get there. They have many different kinds of fondue--my personal favorite is the wild garlic fondue. Reservations recommended.
Le Caquelon
7 Rue RichebourgIf you love fondue, you won't find any better than this. Worth the climb up the hill to get there. They have many different kinds of fondue--my personal favorite is the wild garlic fondue. Reservations recommended.
Large selection of tea, coffee and hot chocolate, including iced and frozen selections in the summer. You can also buy your tea and coffee to take home, as well as many different kinds of teapots and coffee makers.
Identité Café
9 Rue d'AnversLarge selection of tea, coffee and hot chocolate, including iced and frozen selections in the summer. You can also buy your tea and coffee to take home, as well as many different kinds of teapots and coffee makers.
Inventive and diverse menu that changes regularly based on available, fresh and local ingredients. Great wine list. Reservations recommended.
13 Einheimische empfehlen
Le Café Café
36 Rue Claude PouilletInventive and diverse menu that changes regularly based on available, fresh and local ingredients. Great wine list. Reservations recommended.
One of the best bakeries and chocolate shops in town is just a minute away. Stop here for sweet and savory pastries, macarons, cakes and chocolates.
Aux Chocophiles Heureux
54 Rue des GrangesOne of the best bakeries and chocolate shops in town is just a minute away. Stop here for sweet and savory pastries, macarons, cakes and chocolates.
One of the best restaurants in Besançon. Serves delicious traditional French food with a great wine list. Reservations recommended.
Le Poker d'As
14 Rue du Clos Saint-AmourOne of the best restaurants in Besançon. Serves delicious traditional French food with a great wine list. Reservations recommended.
Loaded baked potatoes with a variety of topping choices, including "Indian chicken" and "tartiflette". Personal favorite.
Le 100 Patates
24 Rue de la MadeleineLoaded baked potatoes with a variety of topping choices, including "Indian chicken" and "tartiflette". Personal favorite.
Cozy bar/café that also does a great lunch. Occasional live music in the evenings.
7 Einheimische empfehlen
The Green Man
21 Rue PasteurCozy bar/café that also does a great lunch. Occasional live music in the evenings.
Cozy restaurant with inventive seasonal dishes by day, great spot for drinks and occasional live music by night. Check out their Facebook page for the lunch menu, which changes daily. Lunch reservations recommended.
18 Einheimische empfehlen
Le Tandem
16bis Quai VaubanCozy restaurant with inventive seasonal dishes by day, great spot for drinks and occasional live music by night. Check out their Facebook page for the lunch menu, which changes daily. Lunch reservations recommended.
Italian restaurant with delicious food and fabulous decor. Reservations recommended but not always necessary.
The Little Italy Shop
3 Rue ProudhonItalian restaurant with delicious food and fabulous decor. Reservations recommended but not always necessary.
Café that does a delicious brunch on Sundays. Vegetarian and vegan friendly.
9 Einheimische empfehlen
Öst Café
23 Quai Veïl PicardCafé that does a delicious brunch on Sundays. Vegetarian and vegan friendly.
Al Sirocco
1 Rue ChiffletDelicious Italian restaurant with the best pizza in town. Reservations recommended.
Fabulous place for meat lovers, with locally sourced meat, homemade fries and a great wine list.
7 Einheimische empfehlen
L'Effet Boeuf
3 Rue MairetFabulous place for meat lovers, with locally sourced meat, homemade fries and a great wine list.
Sightseeing
Up on the hill above Besançon, the Citadelle has stunning views of the city and surrounding area, as well as a zoo and several museums including a French Resistance museum.
50 Einheimische empfehlen
La Citadelle
Up on the hill above Besançon, the Citadelle has stunning views of the city and surrounding area, as well as a zoo and several museums including a French Resistance museum.
Beautiful, intricately sculpted triumphal arch built in the 2nd century that has withstood the test of time. On the way up to the Citadelle.
9 Einheimische empfehlen
Porte Noire
Rue de la ConventionBeautiful, intricately sculpted triumphal arch built in the 2nd century that has withstood the test of time. On the way up to the Citadelle.
Arts & Culture
Besançon has been called the watch capital of France, and this museum is dedicated to Besançon and the surrounding region's relationship with all things time related. Climb up to the top of the converted tower for stunning views of the city. Free on Sundays.
60 Einheimische empfehlen
Museum der Zeiten
96 Grande RueBesançon has been called the watch capital of France, and this museum is dedicated to Besançon and the surrounding region's relationship with all things time related. Climb up to the top of the converted tower for stunning views of the city. Free on Sundays.
Art and archaeology museum with an impressive collection, including many Roman artifacts found throughout Besançon.
39 Einheimische empfehlen
Museum of Fine Arts and Archeology of Besançon
1 Pl. de la RévolutionArt and archaeology museum with an impressive collection, including many Roman artifacts found throughout Besançon.
World class museum dedicated to the history of the French Resistance and deportation in this area during World War II. Located at the Citadelle.
7 Einheimische empfehlen
Musee de la Resistance et de la Deportation
99 Rue des Fusillés de la RésistanceWorld class museum dedicated to the history of the French Resistance and deportation in this area during World War II. Located at the Citadelle.
Musee Comtois
99 Rue des Fusillés de la RésistanceMuseum dedicated to local regional history and customs. Located at the Citadelle.
Essentials
One stop shop for groceries, home goods, cosmetics and clothes. Don't forget your shopping bag (or you can buy one there) and that in France you bag your own groceries. Many shops are closed on Sundays, but Monoprix is open until 12:45pm.
15 Einheimische empfehlen
Monoprix
One stop shop for groceries, home goods, cosmetics and clothes. Don't forget your shopping bag (or you can buy one there) and that in France you bag your own groceries. Many shops are closed on Sundays, but Monoprix is open until 12:45pm.
Tiny shop with lots of locally made regional specialties--cheese, charcuterie, prepared foods, etc.
La P Tite Boutique
51 Rue des GrangesTiny shop with lots of locally made regional specialties--cheese, charcuterie, prepared foods, etc.
Pharmacie Centrale
33 Grande RueLarge pharmacy with all pharmaceuticals and toiletries you could need.
Shop where you can get everything you can imagine that is made locally--cheese, charcuterie, honey, wine, beer, crafts and more.
9 Einheimische empfehlen
Doubs Direct
6 Rue PasteurShop where you can get everything you can imagine that is made locally--cheese, charcuterie, honey, wine, beer, crafts and more.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great music venue on the river with a diverse program. Beautiful views of the river and Citadelle from their large deck. Check out their website for the concert schedule.
19 Einheimische empfehlen
La Rodia
4 Av. de ChardonnetGreat music venue on the river with a diverse program. Beautiful views of the river and Citadelle from their large deck. Check out their website for the concert schedule.
Music venue and nightclub that hosts a wide variety of genres. Check out their website for the schedule.
L'antonnoir
21 Rue de DoleMusic venue and nightclub that hosts a wide variety of genres. Check out their website for the schedule.
"Café concert" that hosts a few concerts a week. Great wine and beer, as well as a diverse liquor selection and "cocktail of the month". Check out their website for the latest.
6 Einheimische empfehlen
Les Passagers du Zinc
5 Rue de Vignier"Café concert" that hosts a few concerts a week. Great wine and beer, as well as a diverse liquor selection and "cocktail of the month". Check out their website for the latest.
Parks & Nature
Beautiful park along the river with a play space for kids. Great for a walk or a picnic.
31 Einheimische empfehlen
Parc Micaud station
Beautiful park along the river with a play space for kids. Great for a walk or a picnic.
Beautiful park along the river with a play space for kids. Great for a walk or a picnic.
17 Einheimische empfehlen
La Gare d'Eau
Beautiful park along the river with a play space for kids. Great for a walk or a picnic.
Fort of Beauregard
Hike up to this fortress for beautiful views of the city and surrounding area.
Hike up to this fortress for beautiful views of the city and surrounding area. You can hike up via the paved road or the forest trail.
8 Einheimische empfehlen
Fort de Chaudanne
Hike up to this fortress for beautiful views of the city and surrounding area. You can hike up via the paved road or the forest trail.
Hike up to this fortress for beautiful views of the city and surrounding area.
Fort de Bregille station
Hike up to this fortress for beautiful views of the city and surrounding area.
Entertainment & Activities
Zoo and natural history museum located at the Citadelle. Great for kids.
7 Einheimische empfehlen
Zitadelle von Besançon Zoo
99 Rue des Fusillés de la RésistanceZoo and natural history museum located at the Citadelle. Great for kids.
Movie theater with the latest films. For movies in English, be sure to look for VO (version originale) next to the title.
22 Einheimische empfehlen
Megarama
3 Rue Gustave CourbetMovie theater with the latest films. For movies in English, be sure to look for VO (version originale) next to the title.
Independent movie theater. For movies in English, be sure to look for VO (version originale) next to the title.
12 Einheimische empfehlen
Cinema Victor Hugo
6 Rue GambettaIndependent movie theater. For movies in English, be sure to look for VO (version originale) next to the title.
Theater for all different types of concerts and plays. Check their website for schedule and ticket info.
Kursaal
2 Pl. du ThéâtreTheater for all different types of concerts and plays. Check their website for schedule and ticket info.