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Besançon

Capital of the Franche-Compté

Quai Vauban, Besancon

Besançon started out as the Gallo-Roman town of Vesontio and has a 2nd Century Triumphal Arch to prove it. During the following centuries its location, together with a rocky outcrop on a meander of the River Doubs, made it an ideal stronghold but surprisingly it was not until 1675 that building a Citadelle/Fortress was commenced by Vauban on the orders of the Sun King Louis XIV.

In fact Besançon only became part of France officially in 1678 when it acquired the Franche-Compté. It has close links to Switzerland - the border is only a short distance away and has retained clock and watch making businesses in the city.

What to see:

The Citadelle is a must and there is a zoo and several museums.

The great writer Victor Hugo was born here at 140 Grande Rue

Bourgogne-Franche-Compté

Text © Paul Shawcross

Image by Zairon