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A city of fortifications
The city of Besançon is historic and beautiful, and lies in eastern France in the region of the Franche-Comté. It is not only a city of great beauty, but also of tremendous defensive strength. Built on a hilltop and surrounded on three sides by the River Doubs (pronounced ‘du’), it benefits from a naturally powerful defensive position, made all the greater by the genius of Vauban, the architect in charge of fortifications under Louis X1V. Many of these fortifications remain and can be visited, but the greatest of all is the majestic Citadelle, which crowns the hilltop and gives the town enormous character and grandeur.
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Best viewed by boat!
The best way to take an initial look at Besançon is by boat. In high season you can take a boat tour around the town on the river, and this not only gives exceptional views but is also is a very atmospheric and pleasant experience.
Once you are back on dry land, the town itself is well worth a further look. Typical of a fortress town of its period there is an inner and outer city, with the inner city surrounded by walls. A further example of Vauban’s defensive genius is seen in the complex and intricately planned system of moats between the inner city and the station.
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A great culture of art and learning
Besançon is historically a great seat of learning, and continues this tradition today. It is a lively and atmospheric city with a special ambience conducive to study and creativity. There are some world renowned schools and seats of learning here and the constant flow of students and visiting lecturers give the town a buzzing vibrancy.
It is also a wonderful place for connoisseurs of fine art, as it houses the Musée des Beaux Arts, which is thought to possess perhaps the richest collection of paintings outside the Parisian galleries.
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Fine wines and dining
Situated as it is in the Franche-Comté region, Besançon is no slouch when it comes to offering fine wine and food! The region is famed for its Jura wines, and also for the delicious Comté cheese and charcuterie produced from the fertile farmland of the surrounding area. The town is well supplied with restaurants and retail outlets where these delicacies can be purchased and tasted.
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How to get there
The TGV fast train runs into Besançon, which makes it easily and quickly accessible from the UK. Travel to Paris by plane or Eurostar and take the TGV from there.
The town itself does not have an airport, but both Basel-Mulhouse and Lyon airports are around two hours drive from Besançon. Air France, British Airways and easyJet fly to both Lyon and Basel-Mulhouse, while Lyon is also served by bmi and bmibaby.
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Property prices and availability in and around Besançon
The whole of the Franche-Comté region remains relatively undiscovered in terms of the foreign property market, so it is possible to find some real bargains here. There is a great variety of property available in and around the city, with differing styles of architecture reflecting the various influences on the town’s history.
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HOTELS IN BESANÇON
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4/5