franche-comté in brief

Transcription

GETTING TO KNOW
THE REGION
INTRODUCTION
TO FRANCHE-COMTÉ
Getting to know Franche-Comté is about
understanding it and discovering its secrets through
outings and visits, whose diversity can surprise the
roaming tourist. It is a land of contrasts and character,
sometimes mysterious, always rich in culture in
all senses of the term, which has a tradition of
openness and freedom as its watchword. FrancheComté has proved its ability to preserve its rich
historical heritage and landscapes, and welcomes all
travellers keen to open doors and and climb mountains!
FRANCHE-COMTÉ
IN BRIEF
It is a region of diverse landscapes, of sometimes
tumultuous history and continually striking contrasts
- Franche-Comté is an invitation to travel and to
explore. A formerly Spanish region, its past has
left a rich heritage and its climate gives it a strong
character, which shows its gentle side with the right
approach. It is a land of freedom, with wide open
spaces offering travellers and dreamers the chance
to escape into country byways or into their thoughts.
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AREAS
OF FRANCHE-COMTÉ
Franche-Comté
In terms of its physical geography, the area from
the Saône Valley to the summits of the Vosges
and the Jura forms the golden triangle of FrancheComté. Its political geography gives it a hexagonal
shape, marked out by boundaries with the RhôneAlpes region, Burgundy, Champagne-Ardenne,
Lorraine, Alsace and Switzerland, with which it
shares a border of over 230km. In administrative
terms, it consists of four départements: the Doubs,
the Haute-Saône, the Jura and the territory of Belfort. In any event, Franche-Comté is one of the
smallest regions of France (16,200km2 or 3% of
the national landmass), which gives it a particular
unity, reinforced by its remarkable past.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Doubs
• The Haute-Saône
• The Jura
• The region of Belfort
LOCATION AND ACCESS:
FRANCHE-COMTÉ IN BRIEF / GEOGRAPHY
CONTACTS
Comité Régional du Tourisme de Franche-Comté
Tel.: +33 800 2006 2010
Website: www.franche-comte.org
Email: [email protected]
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COUNTRY TOWNS
Franche-Comté
There are 1.1 million inhabitants unevenly spread
across the Franche-Comté region, half of the population being located around the Doubs river (from Dole
to Montbéliard via Besançon) and in the urban area of
Belfort to the north.
Franche-Comté is a perfect example of the concept of
country towns, with an average population distribution of 71 per km2, which is significantly lower than the
French national average. It is therefore a rural region
with only two urban centres - Belfort-Montbéliard and
Besançon - exceeding 100,000 inhabitants.
The other prefectures - Lons-le-Saunier in the Jura
and Vesoul in the Haute-Saône - are home to around
30,000 people. With the exception of Dole, the capital
of the former Comté, the other towns of the region
(Pontarlier, Sochaux and Audincourt in the Doubs;
Champagnole and Saint-Claude in the Jura; and Gray,
Lure and Luxeuilin the Haute-Saône) do not exceed
this number.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• Besançon, the regional capital
• The Franche-Comté small towns of
character
• The ‘imperial-style’ bell towers of
CONTACTS
Franche-Comté
• Dole, the former regional capital
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Tel.: +33 800 2006 2010
A REGION
OF CONTOURS
Franche-Comté
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Mont d’Or
• The Parc Naturel Régional des
Ballons in the Vosges
• The lakes region in the Jura
The geography has a number of peculiarities: the Ballon d’Alsace (1,247m) is part of Franche-Comté but
not the Crêt de la Neige, which as the highest point
in the Jura is not located in the département of the
same name!
However, the region does boast two mountainous
massifs: the southern Vosges and the mountains of
the Jura. But these massifs are not the only reason
for the contours of Franche-Comté. Its waters also
have their role to play. The valleys provide a contrast
to the summits in the same way that in the mountains,
water is a rich natural resource. And nowhere is this
more true than here. Notable exceptions are the indolent River Sâone and the Rivers Doubs, Ain and Loue,
which are the main rivers coursing through the region
across more than 5,000km.
And what to say of the 1,000 lakes carved out of the
sandstone of the Vosges, the lakes of Little Scotland
in the Jura, the lakes in the Bresse region and the
Scandinavian lakes and peat bogs in the Haut-Doubs?
A final word in this rapid overview goes to Montalembert: “Franche-Comté is like the Tyrol of France: its
monuments are its grandiose and picturesque natural
landscapes”.
CONTACTS
Tel.: +33 800 2006 2010
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PREHISTORIC RICHES
Franche-Comté
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Gallo-Roman theatre
of Mandeure
• The black guardian portal
of Besançon
• The lakeside town of Chalain
• The traces of dinosaurs in Plagne
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The people of Franche-Comté were among the last
to become French, but were they the first on national
soil? The oldest human bones, dating back 400,000
years, were discovered in Vergranne, up-river from
Besançon, in one of the many caves dotted about this
Karst landscape.
It is also in the Jura, on the banks of Lakes Clairvaux
and Chalain, that the earliest lakeside Neolithic sites
in France have been identified. And a Jura village, La
Tène, gives its name to the second Iron Age. Admittedly, it is located at the base of the Swiss side of
the massif, but were these borders recognised at the
time?
During the Iron Age, the region was already a crossroads and staging post between the Mediterranean
and the lands of the North.
This was the source of its prosperity after the Sequani,
the first sedentary people, settled here during the Gallo-Roman era, with Vesontio (Besançon) as the capital
of the Provincia Maxima Sequanorum, which included
a large part of present day Switzerland. The amphitheatre of Epomanduorum (Mandeure in the Doubs),
the second largest in France, and the sacred thermal
baths in Villars d’Héria in the Jura testify to this.
CONTACTS
Tel.: +33 800 2006 2010
MONKS AND BARBARIANS
Franche-Comté
The region was doubly invaded between 2nd and 5th centuries. Firstly by the Barbarians, justifying the arrival of
the Burgundians to defend the region, before the arrival
of the Franks. And secondly by the first monks to settle in the region. The Jura mountains were a monastic
destination of preference: the example of the hermits
St Romain and St Lupicin led to the foundation of the
Saint-Claude Monastery, visited by pilgrims from all over
France. St Colomban came from Ireland to convert Gaul
and founded the Monastery of Luxeuil. In the field of religion, the region stands out – here, the founder of the 9th
century Abbey of Gigny in the Jura applied the precepts
that he later developed at Cluny and which from then
onwards spread throughout Christianity.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Abbey of Baume-les-Messieurs
• Luxeuil-les-Bains
• Saint-Claude
• The Church of Saint Ferjeux
in Besançon
CONTACTS
Tel.: +33 800 2006 2010
THE FRANCHE-COMTÉ IN BRIEF / GEOGRAPHY
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GERMANIC,
SPANISH AND INDEPENDENT
Franche-Comté
“Besançon, an old Spanish town.” There is a kernel
of historical truth in this quotation by Victor Hugo
about the town of his birth.
After the dividing up of Charlemagne’s kingdom,
the County of Burgundy belonged successively to
the Germanic Empire, the Kingdom of Spain and
to Holland following a series of alliances and conquests, interspersed with a few French periods.
From Frédéric Barberousse to Charles the Bold and
Charles V, the region saw a frenetic period, including, for example the capture of François I by local
people in Pavie...
After this period of domination, the Comté could
enjoy independence, and thus became “Franche”.
Indeed, it held out alone during the French wars of
conquest in the 17th century...
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Palais Granvelle in Besançon
• The Lion boundary stone
• Dole, the former regional capital
• Ornans
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CONTACTS
Tel.: +33 800 2006 2010
FRANCHE-COMTÉ IN BRIEF / HISTORY
RESISTANCE
Franche-Comté
NOT TO BE MISSED
“Comtois rends-toi ! Nenni, ma foi” (“Surrender,
people of Franche-Comté! Nay, never!”) The proud
motto of the region is reminiscent of the famous
quotation from Waterloo: “The guard dies but never surrenders“, uttered by a general from FrancheComté...
This motto, which dates from the earliest wars
of conquest in the Comté, thus asserts the region‘s
character; it is also the final word on the history
which is specific to the region. It symbolises the
resistance, which was eventually overcome, to the
troops of Louis XI, Henry IV, Richelieu and Louis
XIV, who laid siege to all the fortified towns and
castles of the region. The Comté was annexed by
the Treaty of Nimègue in 1678.
The region also resisted the Reformation originating from neighbouring Switzerland and the French
Revolution: it was a little Vendée, very attached to
its clergy.
It later also resisted the Prussians in 1870: in Belfort, which endured a siege of more than 100 days
(the area‘s incorporation into France, becoming a
département in 1922, dates from this period),
and around Pontarlier, for the retreat of the Army
of the East in the snow. If there is common thread
running through the history of this region, it is surely the pride of its people.
• The Citadel of Besançon
• The Château de Joux
• The Lion of Belfort
CONTACTS
FRANCHE-COMTÉ IN BRIEF / HISTORY
Tel.: +33 800 2006 2010
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DISCOVER
THE REGION’S
CULTURAL HERITAGE
Franche-Comté possesses a cultural heritage which
shapes its identity, with historical sites included on
UNESCO’s World Heritage List (or in the process of
being included), great men who have written about or
left their mark on the region, towns of
character and educational, themed itineraries for visitors. From the fortifications designed by Vauban in
Besançon and Belfort, the Abbey of Baume-lesMessieurs and the Wine Trail of the Jura to the
network of Musées des Techniques et Cultures Comtoises, there are a host of possibilities for
visitors of all ages to explore the region.
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CHURCHES AND ABBEYS
Franche-Comté
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Abbey of Baume-les-Messieurs
• The pink sandstone Cathedral of
Belfort
• The Chapel of Notre-Dame-du-Haut
in Ronchamp
• The Temple of Saint-Martin in
Montbéliard
Sacred art has been firmly established in FrancheComté region for centuries.
Franche-Comté offers a large number of sites to explore for their architectural qualities or for their atmosphere. The churches, temples and chapels are of
a celestial beauty.
The Franche-Comté bell tower, a regional emblem if
ever there was one, known as the imperial bell tower,
tops the majority of churches in the region. Very often listed as historical monuments, the churches of
Franche-Comté are veritable museums with unparalleled interior riches. The altarpieces of FrancheComté are worthy of special visits. In wood, stucco,
stone or alabaster, they all incorporate the sacred
art of a region which has successfully preserved its
heritage over the centuries. From abbeys dating back
centuries, such as that of Baume-les-Messieurs, to
the most contemporary edifices, like the Chapel of
Notre-Dame-du-Haut in Ronchamp, Franche-Comté
is a true guardian of religious architecture.
The reformed church has also left its mark on the
region: Montbéliard is home to the Temple of SaintMartin, which was the first Protestant edifice built on
French soil.
CONTACTS
Tel.: +33 800 2006 2010
DISCOVER THE REGION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE / CULTURAL TESTIMONIES
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FORTS, FORTIFICATIONS
AND CHÂTEAUX
Franche-Comté
Over the centuries, the Franche-Comté has had
to serve as a bastion against invaders... And, in
another register, it became a choice location for
charming châteaux used for holidays and leisure.
The region is overflowing with military and leisure
edifices, inspiring the comment “we‘re dreaming history“, uttered by a former French President
when visiting the Château de Joux.
In the Doubs, half of villages still have their château
or the remains of a fortification.
In the Haute-Saône, châteaux dating from medieval
times form the basis of a visitors‘ circuit packed
with discoveries, retracing the history of a past
which embraces successive eras, styles and grand
aristocratic families.
The citadels and fortifications of Belfort and
Besançon are also remarkable edifices which are
symbolic of the fight against invaders and of the
fortification system designed by Vauban.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Château de Belvoir
• The Château d’Arlay
• The Château de Champlitte
• The fortified enclosure of Belfort
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CONTACTS
Tel.: +33 800 2006 2010
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
Franche-Comté
The archaeological sites of the Franche-Comté are
often the hidden face of vast archaeological remains
which are the hunting ground of the many historians seeking traces of our ancestors. These sites are
concentrated mainly in the Doubs, the Jura and the
Haute-Sâone. In Mandeure in the Doubs, the GalloRoman theatre dating from the 2nd century testifies
to all the technical and architectural splendour of this
population from Antiquity. This huge theatre seating
20,000 people is open to the public throughout the
year. Listed as an archaeological site of national interest, many excavations continue to take place at this
lakeside location.
Meanwhile, the tile kiln in Villers Farlay is an illustration of the characteristic craftsmanship of Gallo-Roman
builders - manufacturing earthenware tiles using a
production method which has hardly changed over
the centuries! With this dual outlook, Besançon is the
classic example of a modern town which has successfully been developed amidst the many Gallo-Roman archaeological remains with which it is blessed.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Gallo-Roman vestiges
in Besançon
• The museum of archaeology
in Lons-le-Saunier
• The church of Saint Martin
in Luxeuil-les-Bains
• The Crypt of Saint Valbert with its
80 sarcophagi
CONTACTS
Tel.: +33 800 2006 2010
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THE CITADEL OF BESANÇON
Franche-Comté / Doubs / Doubs-Tal, from Montbéliard to Besançon / Besançon
Perched on a slope, the Citadel of Besançon occupies a 11-hectare site. A town of 10,000 inhabitants could easily have been established here.
The Citadel has a dual heritage. Firstly, there is
its primary vocation as a defensive fortress, brilliantly constructed, which had little opportunity to
be tested in the military arena. Then there is its
cultural and historical heritage, which it is now devoted to preserving and presenting to the public.
Ranked in first place among tourist destinations of
Franche-Comté in terms of number of visitors per
year, and elected “tourist destination of the year“
by the Ministry of Tourism in 2003, the Citadel is
today the pride of local residents. It harbours within
its walls a remarkable circuit which introduces visitors to its history and its contemporary features. It
is a unique and unexpected experience, in a fortress which is a listed historical monument. The
Citadel is home to the Museum, the Espace Vauban
and the Musée Comtois.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The fortifications of Besançon,
included on the UNESCO World
Heritage List.
• The Musée du Temps (Museum of
Time)
• Craft shops and stalls
• Theatrical tours around the Citadel
LOCATION AND ACCESS: D4
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CONTACTS
Citadelle of Besançon
99 rue des Fusillés - 25042 Besançon Cedex 3
Tel: +33 3 81 87 83 33
Fax: +33 3 81 87 83 34
Website: www.citadelle.com
DISCOVER THE REGION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE / MAJOR HISTORICAL SITES
THE ROYAL SALTWORKS
OR THE IDEAL CITY
Franche-Comté / Doubs / Valley of the Doubs, from Montbéliard to
Besançon / Arc-et-Senans
The Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans are factory works dating from the 18 th century, designed
by Claude-Nicolas Ledoux. Included on UNESCO‘s
World Heritage List, the saltworks were originally intended for the production of salt.
With an original mode of operation and unusual
architecture, the saltworks also embody the philosophical ideas of their architect, projecting the concept of an ideal city. It is an exceptional construction
in the history of industrial architecture, functioning
as a single living space which integrates the production site and the workers‘ homes.
The Royal Saltworks are a prestigious monument,
and today is a vibrant location, very much a part of
the region‘s heritage, all thanks to the boldness of
the designer. For nearly 30 years, it has been home
to the Institut Claude-Nicolas Ledoux, a European
cultural centre. The permanent exhibitions and temporary events receive over 120,000 visitors each
year.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Salt Museum in Salins-lesBains
• Arbois, a remarkable location for
wine-tasting
• The Maison Pasteur in Arbois
• The barracks of 14 in the forest of
Chaux
LOCATION AND ACCESS: E3
CONTACTS
Saline Royale - 25610 Arc-et-Senans
Tel.: +33 3 81 54 45 45
Website: www.salineroyale.com
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THE CHÂTEAU DE JOUX
Franche-Comté / Doubs / Montagnes du Jura / La Cluse-et-Mijoux
NOT TO BE MISSED
• Pontarlier, the absinthe capital
• The Obertino bell foundry
• The cell of Toussaint Louverture
• The Fort of Larmont
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Bearing witness to its extraordinary past, the Château
de Joux has assumed numerous guises.
Firstly, on account of its position at the crossroads of
the main commercial routes, the Château was an obligatory place of transit for anyone wanting to travel
from the Roman Empire to the Jura, from Burgundy to
Flanders or from the Champagne region to Italy.
A synthesis of 1,000 years of developments in the history of fortification, the Château de Joux witnessed
major European conflicts: visited in transit by Charles
the Bold in 1476, occupied during the Thirty Years
War in 1639, surrendered during the French conquest
of Franche-Comté in 1674… In the 18th century, the
Château took on a new role as a state prison (with
the same status as the Bastille). At a time when the
first signs of revolt were beginning to rumble, future
protagonists in the French Revolution such as Count
Mirabeau were subjected to the rigours of prison in
the Château de Joux. This was also the prison where
Toussaint Louverture, the Haitian officer and leading
campaigner for the abolition of slavery, died on 7 April
1803. For this reason, and in order to ensure that this
dark episode of history is not forgotten, the Château is
at the heart of the abolition of slavery discovery tour.
CONTACTS
Château de Joux - 25300 La Cluse-et-Mijoux
Tel: +33 3 81 69 47 95
Fax: +33 3 81 69 53 11
Website: www.chateaudejoux.com
THE CHAPEL OF NOTRE-DAMEDU-HAUT IN RONCHAMP
Franche-Comté / Haute-Saône / Vosges du Sud / Ronchamp
In the Haute-Saône, a small town is home to a
grand Lady who dominates a very picturesque
valley: Notre-Dame-du-Haut, the famous chapel
in Ronchamp, designed by the equally famous
Le Corbusier.
Situated on the hill of Bourlémont, Notre-Dame-duHaut is a major example of contemporary sacred
architecture, a place devoted to worship and one of
two religious buildings designed by Le Corbusier.
The first chapel was destroyed by lightning in 1913
and the second in 1944 during the war - which was
when this architectural genius was consulted.
After producing sketches and models, an astonishing building quite unlike usual religious architecture was inaugurated on 25 June 1955. There are
plays on light, aerial curves, the forcefulness of the
materials and a captivating artistic sensibility which
contrast strikingly with the harshness of bare concrete. As its creator desired, this chapel is a place
which receives visitors from all four corners of the
earth.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Musée Gantner
• The Maison de la Négritude et des
Droits de l’Homme (the museum of
black identity and human rights)
• The Plateau of the 1,000 Lakes
• The Musée de la Mine
in Ronchamp
LOCATION AND ACCESS: B7
CONTACTS
Notre-Dame-du-Haut - Chapel of Ronchamp
70250 Ronchamp
Tel.: +33 3 84 20 65 13
Fax: +33 3 84 20 67 51
Website: www.chapellederonchamp.fr
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THE CITADEL
AND THE LION OF BELFORT
Franche-Comté / Territoire de Belfort / Vosges du Sud / Belfort
A strategic location since the 12th century, the citadel
of Belfort was constructed by Count de la Suze, beginning in 1648. Due to numerous foreign invasions,
Louis XIV entrusted Vauban with the task of fortifying Belfort. In 1687, he proposed a pentagonal urban
enclosure, protected by outworks and reinforced at
the corners by bastion-towers. In 1817, General Haxo
transformed the château into a modern fortress.
Beneath the fortress is an incredible network of
underground passages.
In this dark and mysterious maze, a stunning sound
and light display introduces visitors to the major
figures who have left their mark on Belfort. The
illustrious Lion, meanwhile, is a vibrant homage paid
by Bartholdi to the inhabitants of Belfort who died in
battle defending the town during the siege of 18701871. The famous sculptor chose to sculpt in the upper part of the town, in the red sandstone of the Vosges, creating ”a monument representing in colossal
form a tormented and cornered lion, still fearsome in
its fury“.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Liberty Trail
• The Jardot donation
• The 200+ lions hidden around
Belfort
LOCATION AND ACCESS: B8
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CONTACTS
Citadelle de la liberté
Le Château BP 60421 - 90000 Belfort
Tel.: +33 3 84 22 84 22
Fax: +33 3 84 57 11 49
Website: www.citadelle-belfort.fr
DISCOVER THE REGION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE / MAJOR HISTORI
REGIONAL INDUSTRY,
NATIONAL HISTORY!
Franche-Comté
1793: Mégevand and the Swiss clock and watchmakers arrive in Besançon. 1796: a man from Morez
produces his first eye-glasses. Then names such as
Japy and Peugeot appear... The foundations of the
economic future of the region are laid.
Industry in Franche-Comté is mainly concentrated in
a small number of business sectors: automobiles and
cycles, micro-mechanics and electronics, and metal
and wood-work. There is also a signficant majority
of small businesses, mainly in the fields of clock and
watchmaking, toy-making, plastics, pipes, and spectacles. The diversity of products manufactured and
the high volume of exports are two of the main characteristics of industry in Franche-Comté.
The Musées des Techniques et Cultures Comtoises
(Museums of Franche-Comté Technology and Culture) are evidence of the long history of industry and
technology in Franche-Comté. The 11 sites, museums
and active businesses, spread across the whole region, testify to the industrialisation of a predominantly
rural region and reflect the history of Franche-Comté.
NOT TO BE MISSED
CONTACTS
• The Musée de l’Aventure Peugeot
• The Musée de la Lunette
• The Musée de la Boissellerie
• The Musée du Jouet
Tel: +33 800 2006 2010
Musées des Techniques et Cultures Comtoises
Rue des Prémoureaux - 39110 Salins-les-Bains
Tel: +33 3 84 73 22 04 - Fax: +33 3 84 37 99 69
Website: www.musees-des-techniques.org
DISCOVER THE REGION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE / CRAFTS, INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY
23
LOUIS PASTEUR
(1822-1895)
Franche-Comté / Jura / Vignoble, Bresse jurassienne and Revermont /
Arbois and Dole
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Musée de la Vigne et du Vin
• The Grotte des planches (caves
and underground river)
• The Gallo-Roman tile kiln in
Villers-Farlay
• The banks of the River Doubs in
Dole
LOCATION AND ACCESS: F3-E2
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After a carefree childhood in a family of modest means
in Dole and then in Arbois and with two baccalaureates
under his belt, Louis Pasteur began his studies at the
École Normale Supérieure in 1843. He then took the
French teaching examination, and successfully submitted two theses in physics and chemistry, in the field of
crystallography. He joined the Faculty of Strasbourg in
1848, where he met Marie Laurent, whom he married
the following year. In 1854, a friend and sugar-maker
from Lille told him about a problem with a nauseating
odour which was produced when distilling beetroot
sugar in alcohol. Discovering that the odour was produced by micro-organisms, he perfected a procedure
for removing all of these organisms from the liquid using a system of heating. Thus, pasteurisation was born.
He was admitted to the Académie des Sciences when
he was only 39 years old. The houses in Dole where
he was born, and in Arbois where he grew up and to
which he returned over the course of his life, are open
to visitors. Now museums, they tell the story of the Pasteur‘s discoveries and of his work with the people of the
Franche-Comté, in particular relating to the fermentation of wine and to his daily life.
CONTACTS
Maison Pasteur - Rue des Courcelles - 39600 Arbois
Tel.: +33 3 84 66 11 72
Website: www.academie-sciences.fr
ouis Pasteur’s birthplace - 43 rue Pasteur - 39100
Dole
Tel.: +33 3 84 72 20 61
Website: www.musee-pasteur.com
DISCOVER THE REGION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE / FAMOUS NAMES FROM FRANCHE-COMTÉ
GUSTAVE COURBET
(1819-1877)
Franche-Comté / Doubs / Valleys of the Doubs and Montbéliard in Besançon /
Ornans
The artist Gustave Courbet was born in Ornans
in the Doubs, in 1819. He was a friend of Proudhon, and became the leading figure of the French
school of realism. He painted many famous canvases, including Burial in Ornans, on display at the
Musée d’Orsay and the ”scandalous“ work The
Origin of the World. Forest Hunts, scenes of rugged Jura landscapes and of walks along the river banks of Franche-Comté... All of his paintings
are imbued with his personal experiences of the
Franche-Comté landscape. The Maison Courbet is
a majestic 18 th century residence, which retraces
the amazing story of this grandmaster who worshipped the landscapes of Franche-Comté. Follow
the Courbet Trail, a cultural journey to discover
seven reproductions of works by the artist. And
for a more detailed look at his life, visit the Musée
Courbet or wander through the gardens of the family farm at Flagey, both of which have been recently
renovated.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Loue Valley
• The source of the Loue
• The mirror of Scey
CONTACTS
Office du Tourisme de la Vallée de la Loue
7 rue Pierre Vernier - 25290 Ornans
Tel: +33 3 81 62 21 50
Website: www.valleedelaloue.com
25
VICTOR HUGO
(1802-1885)
Franche-Comté / Doubs / Valleys of the Doubs and Montbéliard in Besançon /
Besançon
The son of a general of the Empire and a very pious
mother, Victor Hugo was born in Besançon in 1802,
at the foot of the majestic citadel. He left the capital
of Franche-Comté soon afterwards but throughout
his life, he maintained a substantial correspondence
with local dignitaries. His vast body of work has left
its mark on French literature. A poet, dramatist, artist
and and novelist, Victor Hugo also entered politics,
becoming a deputy in 1848. From 1851 onwards, due
to his opposition to the coup d‘état aimed at restoring
the Empire, Victor Hugo went into exile, finding refuge
successively in Belgium, Jersey and Guernsey.
His publications became legendary: Les Contemplations (1856), La Légende des Siècles (1859), Les
Misérables (1862), Les Travailleurs de la Mer (1866)
and l’Homme qui rit (1869). Upon his return from exile, he continued his literary career, but was also appointed Senator in 1876 and campaigned in favour of
the abolition of the death penalty and of an amnesty
for the Communards. This was Victor Hugo‘s last major republican campaign.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• Besançon
• Place Jean Cornet
and Victor Hugo’s birthplace
• The Cathedral of Besançon
and the Place Victor Hugo
LOCATION AND ACCESS: D4
26
CONTACTS
Office de Tourisme et de Congrès Besançon
BP 297 - 25016 Besançon cedex
Tel: +33 3 81 80 92 55
Website: www.besancon-tourisme.com
AND ALSO...
Franche-Comté
Franche-Comté has been the birthplace of great
men who made history, fact or fiction…
In addition to Louis Pasteur, Gustave Courbet and
Victor Hugo, Franche-Comté has played host to figures who revolutionised the landscape of the era,
who passed into posterity and who left their mark
on the Franche-Comté stage: Marcel Aymé, Louis Pergaud, Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, Georges Cuvier, Georges Oudot, Bernard Clavel, Jean-Claude
Bourgeois, Pierre Bichet, André Charigny, Charles
Bel, André Roze, Robert Fernier, Bernard Gantner,
Auguste and Louis Lumière, Nicolas Perrenot de
Granvelle, Pierre and Marie Curie, Joseph Rouget
de Lisle, Cadet Rousselle, Antoine-François Momoro, Georges Colomb, Balthazar Gérard, the Peugeot
family, Étienne Oehmichen, Robert Bichet, Hilaire
de Chardonnet, Jouffroy d’Abbans, Jules Rimet,
Général Michel, among others.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Galerie Cuvier at the Château
de Montbéliard
• The Palais Granvelle
• The Adventures of Sapper
Camenber
• The Musée de l’Aventure Peugeot
CONTACTS
Tel.: +33 800 2006 2010
27
LEAVING THEIR MARK ON
FRANCHE-COMTÉ
Franche-Comté
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Renzo Piano project
in Ronchamp
• The Theatre of Besançon
• The Fort Saint André
in Salins-les-Bains
28
Fashioned by man since prehistory, Franche-Comté
has welcomed the work of some of the greatest
architects.
Heinrich Schickhardt bequeathed to the town of
Montbéliard some unique and well-preserved architectural heritage.
The utopian inspiration of Claude-Nicolas Ledoux
gave Arc-et-Senans the famous Saltworks, which
are as much about a way of life as about architecture. Vauban and his sharp, avant-garde perspective on military architecture, turned Belfort and Besançon into impregnable capitals.
Bartholdi paid his own tribute to the people of Belfort with his majestic pink sandstone lion, which
today has become the town‘s mascot and is the
source of numerous legends.
The famous contemporary architect Le Corbusier
brought to Ronchamp the essence of his new and
unsettling vision of religious architecture.
Franche-Comté still retains this avant-garde character, arising from heritage that has lasted through
the centuries and testifies to the imagination inspired by the landscape and people of this region.
CONTACTS
Tel.: +33 800 2006 2010
SELECT CITIES
Franche-Comté
From prehistoric remains to contemporary architecture, Franche-Comté is a region of striking historical
contrasts, at the crossroads of multiple influences. Its
cities, small towns of character and the regional capital are the most obvious examples of these locations
of choice, with the unspoilt charm of a rich, secular
history and a unique warm and vibrant atmosphere.
These towns are imbued with unique cultures and
traditions, and are ripe for exploration and new encounters. Wander through the streets of Belfort, with
its little shops and architectural riches. Every square
and every little street reveals a piece of French history.
Montbéliard has retained its origins as a Protestant
community. Today it is a vibrant industrial town. The
claws of the lion have left their mark both on its inhabitants and its culture. Besançon, the regional capital,
charms visitors with its historical anecdotes and its
crafts. Located on a meander of the River Doubs, Besançon, fortified by Vauban, is both a historical gem
and modern city.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• Luxeuil-les-Bains
• Lods
• Baume-les-Messieurs
• Pesmes
CONTACTS
Tel.: +33 800 2006 2010
DISCOVER THE REGION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE / SELECT CITIES
29
ON THE TRAILS
OF FRANCHE-COMTÉ
Franche-Comté
The cultural and gastronomic trails of Franche-Comté
offer plenty of opportunities for discovery and enjoyment. The Abolition of Slavery Trail is a unique initiative, connecting five locations in the east of France:
the Maison de la Négritude in Champagney, the
Château de Joux in the Franche-Comté, the Maison
de l’Abbé Grégoire in Emberménil, the Musée Schoelcher in Fessenheim and the Maison Anne Marie
Javouhey in Chamblanc.
In a completely different register, the Wine Trail of the
Jura takes in 80km of plains and plateaux amongst
the Jura vineyards - the ideal circuit for discerning
palates and wine enthusiasts.
Departing from the Maison du Comté in Poligny, the
Routes du Comté cross the entire region, taking in
dairies and cheese cellars for a trip full of flavour.
Absinthe, an elixir to be consumed in moderation,
the green fairy of Franche-Comté, is the theme of a
trail which traces the history of this highly intoxicating drink.
There are a host of other trails in Franche-Comté: the
boundary marker trails, the Chalots Trail, the Monts
et Merveilles Trail, the trail of the creative crafts of
the Jura, the Grandes Traversées of the Jura, the
Eurovélo6 and the Measurement of Time Trail.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Château de Joux
• Fort Saint Antoine
• Château-Chalon
• The Distillerie Guy
30
CONTACTS
Website:
Website:
Website:
Website:
www.franche-comte.org
www.abolitions.org
www.lesroutesducomte.com
www.laroutedesvinsdujura.com
DISCOVER THE REGION’S THE CULTURAL HERITAGE / ON THE TRAILS OF FRANCHE-COMTÉ
A BREATH OF
FRESH AIR
Franche-Comté offers many areas of unspoilt
countryside, with the regional parks of the
Haut-Jura and the Ballon des Vosges, the Great
Lakes Region and the Plateau of the 1,000 Lakes,
all open to the public throughout the year. Stroll along
their footpaths to discover and learn about
the flora and fauna that is so specific to this region of
genuine biodiversity. Educational trails, the
Maison de la Réserve or your own walks all offer opportunities to escape and relax.
31
WATERFALLS,
LAKES AND RIVERS
Franche-Comté
Franche-Comté is a land of water. Gushing, streaming, vigorous, nonchalant, peaceful or invisible, water
is an element unto itself here. The slow force exerted
on the region by glaciers in the distant past left the
landscape with many geological curiosities.
The Plateau of the 1,000 Lakes is one of the unique
and striking geological features fashioned by water over the millennia. The marshy ground naturally
gives rise to lush vegetation of surprising variety and
quantity. The lakes region at a slightly higher altitude
right in the heart of the Jura, includes the emblematic
Lake Saint Point, a majestic location where the water
reflects the wild and arresting natural surroundings.
A majestic lake of green, blue and grey waters, depending on the colours of the surroundings which it
shapes and nourishes, also offers opportunities for
sport and fun.
Renowned throughout Europe, the Hérisson waterfalls
attract more visitors every year. The Franche-Comté
region is also dotted with numerous lakes which providing bathing opportunities for all the family during
the summer months. A paradise for swimmers.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Maison des Cascades
• The belvedere of the 4 lakes
• Port Titi
• The banks of the River Saône
CONTACTS
Tel: +33 800 2006 2010
A BREATH OF FRESH AIR / DISCOVER NATURE AND THE COUNTRYSIDE
33
CAVES AND VALLEYS
Franche-Comté
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The blind valley and cave of
Les Planches
• The cave of Les Moidons
• The Langouette gorge
34
Franche-Comté conceals a host of treasures. The
thick forests hide the entrance to natural caves in
which nature has given its imagination free rein.
The surprising subterranean universe of FrancheComté, the source of numerous legends, is open to
all nature lovers. Potholing enthusiasts can explore
the less accessible caves while tourists can visit
famous cavities and travel back in time.
Some of the striking cavities offer atmospheric illuminations, such as the Poudrey cave. Even more
impressive is the Osselle Cave, which has been
open to the public for 500 years, and contains a
vast bear necropolis. They are unique and rich in
geological phenomena and historical, even prehistoric, treasures. For fans of the mysterious, the
caves of Baume-les-Messieurs (at the end of one
of the most beautiful blind valleys in FrancheComté), impress adults and children alike with their
spectacular colonies of bats and blind shrimp. This
blind valley is an example of a geological phenomenon which is only found in Franche-Comté - an
indentation in the limestone plateau of the mountains of the Jura.
CONTACTS
Tel.: +33 800 2006 2010
REGIONAL
PARKS
Franche-Comté
The Franche-Comté region is home to two of the
largest regional parks in France: the Parc Naturel Régional du Haut-Jura and the Parc Naturel Régional
des Ballons des Vosges. The incredible alternation of
rounded contours, small valleys and sudden peaks is
striking. The landscapes offer great natural, climactic
and geological diversity, and an arresting succession
of colours and shapes. Water occupies a predominant place, in all its forms. Rock escarpments introduce a harsher visual element to this bucolic universe.
Together, these elements create a balanced natural
whole, treated with the utmost respect by man. Lush,
green, scented forests, valleys stretching as far as the
eye can see, criss-crossed with gorges and footpaths,
create rich and varied landscapes. The parks offer a
network of fully waymarked hiking trails for all levels
and all preferences. Numerous plant species have
taken up residence here and bring great pleasure to
connoisseurs.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Grandes Traversées of the
Jura
• The Maison du Parc du Haut-Jura
in Lajoux
• The Ballon d’Alsace
CONTACTS
PNR du Haut-Jura - 39310 Lajoux
Tel: +33 3 84 34 12 30 - Fax: +33 3 84 41 24 01
Website: www.parc-haut-jura.fr
PNR du Ballon des Vosges - 68140 Munster
Tel: +33 3 89 77 90 34
Website: www.parc-ballons-vosges.fr
35
EXPLORE THE
REGION
Franche-Comté is an ideal region for taking the time
to explore off the beaten track. On foot, by bicycle, on
horseback or by train, discover the local
landscapes and talents by your preferred means of
transport. Observe the Plateau of the 1,000 Lakes from
a hot-air balloon, ski cross-country over the
pistes of the Grandes Traversées of the Jura, or
navigate down the River Saône or the River Doubs for
some out-of-the-ordinary opportunities to escape and
relax. Pleasures to enjoy again and again!
37
ON THE RAILS
Franche-Comté
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Musée de l’Horlogerie
• The Bienne Gorge
• The Mont d’Or
Certain trains cross Franche-Comté at high speed.
A link in the three-branched star of the European
network of TGV (high-speed) trains, the construction of the Eastern branch is in full swing. With its
two new stations (Besançon Franche-Comté TGV
and Belfort-Montbéliard TGV), Franche-Comté is enchancing its tourist infrastructure. The Rhine-Rhône
TGV will bring the powerful Alsthom locomotives...
manufactured in Belfort! In the meantime, the southeastern TGV line, which serves Besançon, enables
travellers to reach Franche-Comté from Paris in under
3 hours.
A slower panoramic train runs along the ”swallow
line“, crossing the Jura from one side to the other. It
offers an excursion with outstanding views over the
Jura mountains and a pleasant interlude full of anecdotes, as well as the chance to familiarise yourself
with Jura customs.
And to observe the scenery unfolding at a slower
pace, there is the Coni’fer - an authentic steam train
transporting enthusiasts of a bygone era across the
prairies of the Haut-Doubs, at a speed of 15km/h.
Meanwhile, the Measurement of Time Trail allows visitors to explore the major sites associated with clock
and watchmaking in Franche-Comté, found in some
of the most unspoilt parts of the region.
CONTACTS
EXPLORE THE REGION
Tel.: +33 800 2006 2010
39
IN THE AIR
Franche-Comté
Franche-Comté offers numerous vertiginous activities for adrenaline lovers such as spider-jumping,
tree-top adventure courses and via ferratas. Adults
and children can join in a diverse range of activities at a number of outdoor pursuits centres, where
qualified professionals ensure fun and safety for all.
And if terra firma is not a big enough playground for
you, take to the unlimited expanses of the skies to
discover Franche-Comté from a different perspective. Hot-air balloons, paragliding and twin-engined
planes are just some of the ways to bring you closer
to man‘s oldest dream. To enjoy these activities in
the best possible conditions, there are dozens of flying clubs, as well as other groups and schools for
flying enthusiasts.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Loue Valley
• The Royal Saltworks
of Arc-et-Senans
• Mont Poupet
40
CONTACTS
Tel.: +33 800 2006 2010
EXPLORE THE REGION
FULL THROTTLE
Franche-Comté
The motorbike is an unrivalled means to travel around
Franche-Comté.
The region abounds in country roads and itineraries
off the beaten track, revealing a host of different landscapes. Discovering the land of Courbet via the roads
of the Loue Valley, or admiring the scenic beauty of
the Doubs Valley, are perfect reasons for motorcyclists of all kinds to visit Franche-Comté. Enjoy facilities that cater to your specific needs, with hotels,
guest-houses, gîtes and campsite accommodation.
For fans of unconventional means of transport, a
range of activities offering vivid sensations is on offer
throughout the region. You can launch yourself down
a hillside inside an inflatable sphere, zoom across
snowless pistes in off-road karts or hop on a bicycle
of burlesque proportions - activities on offer at the
Acro-bull, Déval’Kart and Durtmonster parks.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• Métabief
• The park of Meix Loisirs
• Acropark
CONTACTS
EXPLORE THE REGION
Tel.: +33 800 2006 2010
41
ON THE WATER
Franche-Comté
Franche-Comté has 320km of navigable waters.
But it also has two very different rivers - the Saône,
a romantic river in a picturesque valley, and the
Doubs, which is naturally wild.
The Saône has very few locks, a wide riverbed and
gently flowing waters, making it easily navigable at
any time of the year. The river is canalised in places
but is generally natural and popular for all types of
river-based tourism. As for the Doubs, its course
is full of meanders and loops, embarkation points
and passages through towns as far as the Saut du
Doubs, where it joins the Saône.
Once you have chosen your river, you can then decide on your mode of transport. From sailboards
to canoes and kayaks, simple boats to catamarans, the region offers a large number of clubs and
watersports centres who can supply the necessary
equipment and, if required, lessons for beginners,
to ensure your complete safety.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Lake of Vouglans
• The Tunnel of Saint Alban
• Malsaucy
• The Loue Valley
42
CONTACTS
Tel.: +33 800 2006 2010
EXPLORE THE REGION
ON FOOT
Franche-Comté
Whether you‘re a sporty or contemplative walker,
Franche-Comté offers numerous sources of inspiration for walkers. The region has over 7,000km of
waymarked footpaths. The various routes cater for all
levels of experience and ability. With exceptional forest cover, Franche-Comté is an ideal destination for
visitors in search of excursions deep into the countryside. The variety of colours and scenery offers a truly
escapist experience to novices and experienced walkers alike. Waymarked paths lead you on an original
and unique voyage.
Explore on your own or with a guide, according to
preference. Regional parks, the mountains of the Jura,
the Saône Valley, the Doubs Valley and the Jura vineyards all offer out-of-the-ordinary experiences, each
with its own unique atmosphere and unspoilt natural
surroundings.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Grandes Traversées
of the Jura
• The green trails
• The forest of Massacre
EXPLORE THE REGION
CONTACTS
Tel.: +33 800 2006 2010
43
ON TWO WHEELS
Franche-Comté
Franche-Comté is a cyclist‘s paradise. There are over
3,500km of waymarked trails, along quiet paths or
across cool woodland floors, each with a unique atmosphere, for total escapism. The plains and valleys
stretch as far as the eye can see, alongside canals and
around lakes, opening up accessible routes for cycle
rides. The official guide of the Fédération Française de
Cyclisme currently features 9 destinations for mountain bikers in Franche-Comté, each offering optimum
facilities for visitors and enabling you to explore many
kilometres of circuits. The Eurovélo 6, which links
the Atlantic to the Black Sea, runs for 187km through
Franche-Comté. The route is accessible to all types
of mountain bikers. Rides across the massifs are just
as appealing, although more demanding! For people
looking for long excursions on two wheels, a guide
organises trips lasting 3 to 9 days for groups of all
ages and all levels. An ideal way to combine activity
and simplicity and make new friends.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Eurovélo 6
• The Grandes Traversées of the
Jura by mountain bike
• The World Championshiop descent
in Métabief
• The green trail
44
CONTACTS
Tel.: +33 800 2006 2010
EXPLORE THE REGION
ON HORSEBACK
Franche-Comté
Friendly, good-natured, peaceful and courageous
horses transport riders through Franche-Comté,
lightening their load and and showing them the
way. Excursions take on a whole new character
on horseback, trotting at your preferred speed.
Franche-Comté offers many stables and equestrian
farms, providing numerous riding-based activities
and excursions. Another option is a ride in a carriage, caravan or covered wagon, for a romantic
or Western-style outing. It is said that in FrancheComté, the pack donkeys are more cooperative
than anywhere else. It is up to riders to verify the
truth of this, though there is no doubt that a donkey
is an extremely endearing companion for carrying
luggage... and children!
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Grand 8 of the Jura
• The Grandes Traversées of the Jura
on horseback
• Fontenois-la-Ville
• Malpas
EXPLORE THE REGION
CONTACTS
Tel.: +33 800 2006 2010
45
WINTER SPORTS
Franche-Comté
Every year, the many wooded valleys of FrancheComté are transformed into a paradise for winter
sports.
From small family resorts such as La Planche des
Belles Filles, to large skiing hubs such as Les Rousses and the grand Trans-Jura cross-country skiing
circuit, winter sports here cater to all tastes, ages
and speeds!
The chains of regional massifs offer numerous possibilities for all kinds of leisure activities.
Cross-country skiing has been an integral part of
Franche-Comté‘s heritage for generations. The
environment is also ideal for snowshoe excursions,
offering another option for taking in the natural
wintry surroundings. Heading out to conquer the
vast white expanses with family or friends, take advantage of the waymarked circuits and look out for
the wild animals that inhabit the forest.
Or for something more original, skijoring has been
a feature in Franche-Comté for some time. Pulled
by a horse, the skier ploughs through the forests
of Franche-Comté, gripping the reins tight. Thrills
guaranteed!
NOT TO BE MISSED
• Les Rousses
• Métabief Mont d’Or
• The Planche des Belles filles
• The Ballon d’Alsace
CONTACTS
The mountains of the Jura
Tel: +33 8 10 08 48 18
Website: www.montagnes-du-jura.fr
46
EXPLORE THE REGION
TANTALIZE
YOUR TASTEBUDS
Renowned for its gastronomy, flavours and aromas,
Franche-Comté offers a cuisine in harmony with its
landscapes and terroirs. There are high-quality products
from fertile, generous soils, and a sense of creativity
that is characteristic of the region, all guaranteed to
delight your tastebuds. All gourmets and lovers of good
food are won over by this cuisine, which has retained
its traditional recipes, adapting them to appeal to
contemporary tastes. It is an invitation to discover and
indulge in the culinary pleasures of Franche-Comté.
47
THE WINES
Franche-Comté
In Franche-Comté, the wines are like the landscapes,
full of aroma and mystery. The flavour, texture, body,
colour and nose of the wines reflect the variety and
plurality which give the region its charm. Savagnin,
a grape favoured by the winemakers of the Jura,
forms the basis of vin jaune and accounts for 15% of
grapes grown. When combined with Chardonnay, as
is sometimes the case, it acquires a superior body and
encapsulates all the flavours of the local terroir. The
red grapes are also quite exquisite, with the lightness
of Poulsard and the character of Pinot noir coming together wonderfully to evoke the fresh woodland floors
of Franche-Comté. Much rarer and less well-known
is Trousseau, an intense red wine which can rival the
major wines from the greatest vineyards. There are no
fewer than 6 wines with AOC status based on 5 grape
varieties, which is a tribute to the poetry of winemaking in Franche-Comté. Vins de Pays with subtle flavours, reflecting a region of a thousand facets, such as
the Courbet vin de pays, Charcenne and the Coteaux
de Champlitte… all are waiting to be discovered!
NOT TO BE MISSED
• Musée de la Vigne et du Vin
• The Jura Wine Trail
• The cellar of the Château de Gy
• Fattened chicken with vin jaune and
morels
CONTACTS
Comité Interprofessionnel des vins du Jura
BP 41 - 39600 Arbois
Tel: +33 3 84 66 26 14
Website: www.jura-vins.com
Institut franc-comtois des vins et du goût
Château Pecauld - BP 41 - 39600 Arbois
Tel: +33 3 84 66 40 53
TANTALIZE YOUR TASTEBUDS
49
SPIRITS
Franche-Comté
In Franche-Comté, there are traditions which have
passed on venerable flavours for generations. The
Jura Marc, which older winemakers mischievously call the “heart warmer”, is savoured at the end
of meals for its dried fruit flavour. The Cerise de
Fougerolles, the queen of liqueurs, delivers its full
power and sensuality in a little glass of kirsch. Absinthe also made its mark in history. While today
the green fairy is appreciated for its fresh aniseed
notes, it bewitched many unfortunates in 19 th century France with its magic...
More surprising is the fir tree liqueur, which conceals fresh, woodland aromas behind its attractive
colour. Always to be consumed in moderation, traditional regional spirits are vestiges of an age when
clandestine, age-old alembics were secretly handed down from rural family to rural family, in order
to perpetuate the home production of these highproof treasures. Gather round for a glass of gentian
and listen to tales of a blessed age.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• Écomusée du pays de la Cerise
• The Absinthiades
• The Absinthe Trail
50
CONTACTS
Comité de Promotion des Produits Régionaux
de Franche-Comté
4 rue Gabriel Plançon - 25044 Besançon Cedex
Tel: +33 3 81 25 54 54
Website: www.cppr-fc.com
FOOD CURING
Franche-Comté
You cannot mention food curing in Franche-Comté
without reference to the huge “fermes à tuyé” (smoking chimneys) of the Haut-Doubs. A stone house is built
around a room of 20m2, topped by the “tuyé” - a vast
wooden chimney shaped like a pyramid. This chimney is
used for smoking meat.
This method of preserving is still typical of FrancheComté. Smoked produce is available from the first
foothills of the Jura to the Vosges around the River
Saône. The hams of the Haut-Doubs and of Luxeuil
are produced according to strict local traditions: pigs
raised locally, meat rubbed with dry salt, smoked conti
nuously, exclusively in a wooden smoker or over conifer
sawdust… The genuine Morteau sausage is made according to a similarly exacting process in mountainous
areas of over 600m in altitude. Bresi is one of the few
smoked meats which is not pork-based. The origins of
this smoked meat, which is comparable to Viande des
Grisons (air-dried beef), date back to the 16th century,
its name derived from its resemblance to an exotic red
hardwood known as “de Brési”.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• Grand Combe Chateleu
• Farm/museums in the land
of watchmaking
• The republic of Saugeais
CONTACTS
de Franche-Comté
Tel: +33 3 81 25 54 54
51
CHEESES
Franche-Comté
The culinary riches of Franche-Comté originate
from its pastures and forests. The many herds of
red and white Montbéliard cattle which graze in
meadows as far as the eye can see, are the source
of the plateau‘s cheeses. The ancestral dairy cooperatives in the mountains continue to make
Franche-Comté cheeses using the artisanal methods of yesteryear. Comté, the jewel of the region,
spends up to 12 months in the high-altitude dairies, where it is tended to daily by master cheesemakers. Mont d‘Or, a runny cheese in a spruce bark
box, continues to be made traditionally. Its production is only permitted during autumn and winter.
The cheeses of Franche-Comté hold as many surprises as the landscape. Morbier, Bleu du Haut Jura
and Munster all express the flavours of the green
pastures of Franche-Comté and all of them carry a
certified appellation (AOC). Franche-Comté Cancoillotte leaves no one indifferent. But not everyone
knows that it is the cheese with the fewest calories!
NOT TO BE MISSED
• Maturing cellar at the Fort Saint
Antoine
• The Comté trails
• The descent of the cattle
in Métabief
• The Obertino bell foundry
52
CONTACTS
de Franche-Comté
Tel: +33 3 81 25 54 54
SWEET TREATS
Franche-Comté
Franche-Comté boasts an abundance of fruit
trees, and so can offer all manner of treats to satisfy sweet-toothed visitors. Mirabelle, cherry, plum,
peach and apple trees provide succulent jams
and superb tarts, as well delicious fruit juices.
Franche-Comté bees work tirelessly to produce
the best honey with notes of fir, spruce, lime and
sunflower… And honey of course also means gingerbread. Many companies have been specialising
in producing gingerbread since the first half of the
19 th century. The Maison Vuez in Mouthe is well
known to locals and their guests for its rich gingerbread with a hint of orange, and for its ice-cream
with unusual regional flavours. Franche-Comté is
also proud of another treasure: its chocolate. Many
creative artisans all over the region use authentic
cocoa butter to make little Montbéliard cows with
a delicious praline centre, or seasonal chocolates
with a delicious and unrivalled Arbois flavour.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Musée de la Pâtisserie
(museum of pastries)
of Édouard Hirsinger
• The Musée du Sucre
(sugar museum) in Belfort
CONTACTS
de Franche-Comté
Tel: +33 3 81 25 54 54
53
TYPICAL DISHES OF
FRANCHE-COMTÉ
Franche-Comté
Franche-Comté cuisine is a reflection of the land.
It represents the most diverse aspects of the landscape, and offers a thousand flavours to enjoy over
the course of the seasons. Fattened chicken with
vin jaune and morel mushrooms is symbolic of the
fertile land. The ingredients come together perfectly for a dish bursting with flavour. A bit further
north, a dish from the Haut-Doubs enjoys prime
status. The strong flavour of Morteau sausage and
the lightness of Cancoillotte wine are a delight for
gourmet palates. Traditional produce used to create refined dishes is the hallmark of Franche-Comté
culinary expertise. Just as tasty is the fondue comtoise, prepared with comté matured in the nearby
dairies, and a touch of kirsch for a deliciously surprising taste. In a region where traditionally-made
produce is so abundant and renowned, gastronomy
becomes an art where flavours and colours blend.
And for all lovers of fine dining, Franche-Comté offers distinguished regional restaurants, where you
can discover the full range of flavours on offer in
the region.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The restaurants of the region
• The Michelin stars of the region
• The tapping of the vin jaune
54
CONTACTS
de Franche-Comté
Tel: +33 3 81 25 54 54

franche-comté in brief

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