Here are some of my impressions I'd like to share with you.
Belfort
Though the territory of Belfort is the smallest département in France there is a lot to discover.
Very impressing is the town of Belfort with the citadel and the famous Lion. The fortress offers also an underground trail audioguide (not open in winter), history museum, museum of Fine Arts and museum of Modern Art. Take your time to walk along the many paths (up and down) and enjoy the view of City and surroundings.
Very impressing is the town of Belfort with the citadel and the famous Lion. The fortress offers also an underground trail audioguide (not open in winter), history museum, museum of Fine Arts and museum of Modern Art. Take your time to walk along the many paths (up and down) and enjoy the view of City and surroundings.
Go for a stroll through the center and have a coffee at the place in front of the cathedral (with view onto the fortress).
As I said I was there twice (Nov. / July) and enjoyed the different moods.
As I said I was there twice (Nov. / July) and enjoyed the different moods.
- there are many free parkings
- Accomodation: if you want to discover the close surroundings this might be a good Hotel for you. I stayed at Hotel Campanile Belfort-Montbeliard. It's right off the highway and opposite the SNCF Train Station. For a very good price you get a business room, with coffee/tea making facilities, hairdryer, TV. Small but fresh breakfast and parking opposite. Very friendly staff.
Ronchamp
I bet you have already seen pictures of the lovely Notre-Dame-du-Haut chapel. You drive through a little town/village and take the street to the church; first, I thought I was wrong, driving through the woods without anything around. All of a sudden you see the parking space (and the buses). The chapel is located on top of the hill with unobstructable view over the valley.
It was built by Le Corbusier and has a very special architecture. I went in November so that there were not too many tourists. But as you can see on the photos...the weather was beautiful.
Luxeuil-les-Bains
Leaving Roncamp I drove through beautiful countryside towards Luxueil-les-Bains. It is of the small towns in the region known for the thermal springs. The thermal bath is the oldest in France. Today's modern bath is within the historical buildings in the park. The basilica is also worth seeing.
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Montbeliard
Belfort and Monteliard are not too far from each other (and during my first visit my hotel was located halfway; see above). Monteliard is a beautiful little old town with pedestrian area, towered by the castle. Several churches, nice shops,...
Good for a stop.
TIP:
- Hotel: see separate post
- Restaurant: at the Hotel they recommended the Little creperie and we had a good time eating first galettes, second crepe...drinking different ciders.
http://www.creperie-montbeliard-lesalizes.fr/
- The local Christmas Market (spread througout town) is regarded as one of the most beautiful in France
Besancon
It is the capital of the Franche-Comté, but we didn't expect to like Besancon that much. The city is really special so that we decided to return and spend the night there.
http://www.besancon-tourisme.com/en/
Citadel
The Vauban citadel dominates the entire city. It is really worth visiting; but take enough time a there are a couple of Museums, a zoo, exhibitions, etc. ...and you should definitely take a tour on the outer walls.
Other places to visit:
Victor Hugo Birthplace, courthouse, fountains, places, Le Kursaal, La City, different gates, astronomical clock, several churches
TIP:
- Parking:
park your car on one of the P&R spaces on the other side of the river and take the bus. You'll get a tour through the city and get off at the fortress. Take a one way ticket and enjoy a nice walk from the fortress to the City Center. - City Walks:
In the Tourist Office you'll get maps with different theme walks. Great way to discover the City.
- Boat trip:
We didn't have the time for a boat trip, but I will go for it the next time.
Highlight: you go through a tunnel under the citadel mountain. very cool. - Hotel: Ibis Hotel Centre Ville
Directly in the Center with closed parking, we were very surprised. The 3-star hotel is very clean, modern, has free wifi and very helpful staff. The triple bedroom was more like a Junior Suite with a divider; the room is very big, the bathroom small, but with daylight.
Breakfast was surprisingly good: fresh fruit, different kinds of bread, cake, eggs, fruit juices.
Ornans
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