Visit Franche-Comte
Between France and Switzerland, between plains and mountains, Franche-Comté has some interesting towns and villages - and some impressive scenery with vineyards and lakes, forests and mountains, as scenic backdrop
Selected places to visit in Franche-Comte
Belfort
Besancon
Chateau-Chalon
Lons-le-Saunier
Loue River Valley
Luxeuil-les-Bains
Montbeliard
Ornans
Pontarlier
Ronchamp Chapel
Salins-les-Bains
Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans
Vesoul
Visit Franche-Comté
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'.
There are four French departments in Franche-Comté: Haute-Saone (north), Territoire-de-Belfort (north-east), Doubs (central), and Jura (south):
Haute-Saone / Territoire de Belfort (north Franche-Comté)
The most important towns here are Belfort itself, and Vesoul, capital of the Haute-Saone department.
The Chapelle de Notre-Dame-du-Haut, at Ronchamp, 20km north-west of Belfort, is one of Le Corbusiers most famous buildings and a big attraction for his followers.
The towns of Gray and Luxeuil-les-Bains are also to visit.
Doubs (central Franche-Comté)
See the town of Besancon, capital of the Franche-Comte region, and the Royal saltworks at Arc-et-Senans,
See also the town and castle at Montbeliard, and the town of Baume-les-Dames.
Visit the village at Ornans, then also visit Lods (a classified most beautiful village). The historical border town of Pontarlier is on the edge of the Jura mountain range.
Jura (south Franche-Comté)
Dole is an attractive town in the Jura department of the Franche-Comte region, known especially for the impressive Dole Collegiale.
Explore also the cluster of towns that includes Arbois, Poligny, and Salins-les-Bains, and the town of Moirans-en-Montagne, best known for its toy museum.
Two 'most beautiful villages' can be seen in the southern part of the region near Lons-le-Saunier at Baume-les-Messieurs, and Chateau-Chalon.
General Franche-Comte information
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 - a couple of natural highlights include the Parc Regional du Haut-Jura and the valley of the Loue River (passes through the Doubs and Jura departments).
See more ideas at Franche-Comté tourist information, with more towns, national monuments, national parks, towns in bloom etc across the Franche-Comte region.
Map of Franche-Comte
'most beautiful village'
Heritage site
National monument
Place of interest
Page in French? See Franche-Comte (Francais)

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