Explore Besançon and its surroundings
A destination at the crossroads of nature and culture.
Take advantage of the central location of Hôtel du Nord during your stay and explore Besançon, a city that effortlessly marries culture and nature. Designated a ‘City of Art and History’, Besançon is brimming with architectural treasures, fascinating museums and superb natural landscapes. You'll have a packed itinerary during your Besançon stop-over, whether visiting on your own, as a couple, with family or friends.
Besançon's must-sees combining heritage with culture
Start your explorations of the Comtois capital with the unmissable Citadelle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Towering over the city at a height of over 100m, it offers views as breathtaking as its fortifications, built according to the designs of famed French military engineer, Vauban. Just a stone's throw from Hôtel du Nord, discover the Saint-Jean Cathedral and its magnificent astronomical clock, a symbol of the city's watchmaking heritage. And right in the heart of the city, the Granvelle Palace and its Museum of Time plunge you into the region's watchmaking history.
Literature buffs will be enchanted by the Victor Hugo Museum, a space devoted to the life and struggles of the Besançon-born writer. And for a real journey through the ages, the Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeology offers a vast artistic panoply, stretching from prehistory to the 20th century. Just outside the city, the Musée des Maisons Comtoises (Museum of Comtois Buildings) offers a walk in the footsteps of the region's rural heritage in a 15-hectare nature reserve. Another great day out for the whole family!
Experience a vibrant cultural scene just a stone's throw from Hôtel du Nord
Hôtel du Nord lives to the rhythm of the performing arts with the Théâtre des 2 Scènes born out of a merger between Théâtre Ledoux and Théâtre de L'Espace on Rue Mégevand, the Centre National Dramatique on Avenue Édouard Droz, and the Comédie de Besançon, a boulevard comedy theatre on Rue de la Convention. These venues host a wide variety of shows, and the hotel is a popular meeting place for both comedians and audiences. Just a two-minute walk from the hotel, the Petit Kursaal and Grand Kursaal, located on Place Granvelle, offer an eclectic programme of shows, concerts, film screenings, conferences, seminars and festivals throughout the year.
For music lovers, the regional Conservatoire offers a rich programme and regularly hosts prestigious musical competitions. Besançon also dazzles with its International Music Festival and its renowned competition for young conductors - a must for all music enthusiasts. Contemporary art aficionados will appreciate the Fonds Régional d'Art Contemporain (FRAC), a place of discovery that stages major exhibitions and cultural events.
Local gastronomy
Besançon is also a city of gastronomic pleasures! Restaurants, bars and local markets are all there just waiting for you to discover the region's specialities. Why not try our Comté, Cancoillotte or Mont d'Or cheeses. Or perhaps a Morteau or Montbéliard sausage, accompanied by a glass of Jura wine or craft beer: everything needed to tantalise the senses and delight the taste buds!
Nature and walks in the surroundings of Besançon
Encircled by the Doubs river and bordered by seven hills, Besançon is a city where you can enjoy walking in close contact with nature. The many miles of riverbanks make for delightful strolls along the water's edge, while the surrounding hiking trails offer superb panoramic views over the rolling countryside. A stay at Hôtel du Nord in Besançon also enables you to take advantage of the proximity of the Jura Massif, an endless open-air playground that will appeal to all lovers of outdoor pursuits.