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Franche-Comte, France tourist information

Franche-Comte is found to the east of France - the region borders onto Switzerland, so as you head towards the east of the region you start to leave the rolling countryside and smaller peaks of the Jura mountains, cross the high plateaux, and enter the Alps 'proper' 

Much of the countryside is an unspoiled mix of forests and open country, interspersed with lakes and rivers, and it is for 'the great outdoors' that most visitors come to the region.

Places to visit in Franche-Comte

- Parc Regional du Haut-Jura

- the Chapelle de Notre-Dame-du-Haut, at Ronchamp, 20km north-west of Belfort, is one of Le Corbusiers most famous buildings

- Besancon and Dole are in the centre of the region, as is the Royal saltworks at Arc-et-Senans

- the valley of the Loue River, and the village at Ornans, are further to the east, also Lods (a classified most beautiful village).

The historical border town of Pontarlier is also to the east of the Franche-Comté region, on the edge of the Jura mountain range.

- the cluster of towns including Arbois, Poligny, and Salins-les-Bains

- two further 'most beautiful villages' can be seen in the southern part of the region - 8 km NE of Lons-le-Saunier is Baume-les-Messieurs, and 10 km SW of Poligny is Chateau-Chalon.

Nearby Lons-le-Saunier also deserves a visit if you are visiting this part of Franche-Comté.

Franche-Comté - travel information

Map of Franche Comté, France