Major sites to see in Burgundy-Franche-Comté

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At the top of the Citadel of Besançon

Miles of walls, 'Tenaille' defences, gatehouses, curtain walls, towers and more. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2008 as part of the Vauban fortifications, this wonderfully restored fortress is where everything happens in Besançon. Museum of the Resistance and Deportation, Comté Museum, Espace Vauban, zoological gardens - there's something here for everyone!

The canal bridge to Digoin

This ingenious system, with its 11 arches, enables the canal alongside the Loire to cross the river. It was built of cut stone from 1834 to 1838 and was enlarged in 1870. It is one of the first large canal bridges in France, 243 m long.

The Hospices de Beaune

Famous throughout the world for their roof of glazed and coloured tiles, the Hospices de Beaune have been a place of welcome for the infirm, orphans and sick since the Middle Ages. Icon of Burgundy, the building, at the crossroads of Burgundian and Flemish styles, today houses a museum. Without doubt the Hospices de Beaune are also famous for the annual sales of the grands crus, which attract wealthy wine lovers from all over the world on the 3rd Sunday in November.

Alesia, a decisive battle

The image of Vercingetorix in Alesia, weapons at his feet, in front of a victorious Caesar, once appeared in all history books. Long forgotten, the Gallic chief became, from the 19th century, a symbol of Celtic resistance to the invader. After many expert battles, it is now established that the battle of Alesia which opposed him to Caesar in 52 BC and ratified the colonization of Gaul took place at Alise-Sainte-Reine.

Saline Royale d'Arc-et-Senans

The saline royale d'Arc-et-Senans is well worth a visit. This industrial utopia imagined by Claude-Nicolas Ledoux was intended for salt production and was built between 1775 and 1779. With a circular shape, the royal saltworks housed places of habitation and production, 11 buildings in all. From the EuroVelo 6 itinerary, a cycle path will take you to the salt marsh through the forest of Chaux (about 15 km).

Sardy's impressive lock scale

To allow the crossing of important elevations over a short distance, canal engineers imagined a succession of very close locks called "lock scale". The Sardy lock, which comprises 16 locks over 3.5 km, is one of the most beautiful examples of these surprising engineering structures and one of the most spectacular sites on the canal. The lock houses are occupied here by artists and craftsmen who propose visits and exhibitions in season.

L'observaLoire à Digoin

Vous saurez tout de l’histoire et du fonctionnement de la Loire et de ses canaux, grâce à cette visite ludique et interactive en amont du pont-canal.

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