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Citadelle de Besançon

Vauban's masterpiece and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Besançon Citadel is considered to be one of the most beautiful in France. It towers more than 100 metres above the old town of the Comtois capital, set in a meander of the river, and offers spectacular panoramic views from its ramparts. A major cultural and tourist attraction, the Citadelle delivers on its promise of a living heritage that is full of emotion.
In addition to the admirably restored 12-hectare architectural complex, the Citadelle is home to three Museums of France behind its ramparts, offering a fascinating range of attractions:
- the Musée Comtois, a showcase for the traditions of Franche-Comté and a place to reflect on our times
- the Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation (Museum of the Resistance and Deportation), which will reopen on 8 September 2023 after being closed for more than three years, including 16 months of works.
- the Museum, which illustrates biodiversity and helps to preserve endangered species in its various areas (Zoological Garden, Aquarium, Insectarium, Noctarium and small farm). Nowhere else in France is it possible to see such a diversity of animals in one place.

8-10 SEPTEMBER 2023: INAUGURAL WEEKEND FOR THE RESISTANCE AND DEPORTATION MUSEUM
After 3 years of work, the Museum of the Resistance and Deportation in Besançon will reopen its doors on 8 September 2023! It will be offering completely redesigned spaces in order to renew its message and continue its essential mission of transmitting history.
To mark the occasion, a live show and musical programme will punctuate the inaugural weekend from 8 to 10 September, with free admission to the Citadelle.
PLEASE NOTE: on 8 September, from 5am to 11pm, traffic and parking will be prohibited on rue de Fusillés, except for the Ginko Citadelle bus service (terminus at the Chamars car park, leaving every 10 minutes) and PRM passengers. On this day, entry to the Citadelle will be limited to the museum and the performance areas (chapel and cour des cadets).

Hours :


Exceptional closures on 7 September 2023 and until 5pm on 8 September 2023 (opening at 5pm for visits to the Museum of the Resistance and Deportation, the Chapel during performance times and the Cour des Cadets only).

Services

Set high up on its anticline, Besançon Citadel occupies a total of 11 hectares. It could easily have contained a town of 10,000 inhabitants. The fortress is one of Vauban's masterpieces, and it is said that its construction was so costly that Louis XIV enquired as to whether the walls had been made out of gold. The Citadel has a dual heritage. The first is that of its initial vocation as a defensive fortress, brilliantly designed and built, which had very few opportunities to show its steel in military situations. The Citadel then turned to displaying the heritage and history that had been bequeathed to it, and which it is now so proud to present to visitors. The Citadel, which is the leading tourist attraction in Franche-Comté in terms of visitor numbers, and was voted "Tourist Site of the Year" by the Ministry of Tourism in 2003, has become the pride and joy of the people of Besançon.
Thematic of the place

Castel

Public price
Base rate - full rate adult : €11.50
Child rate : €9.50
Price with the pass
Base rate - full rate adult : Free
Child rate : Free

Location

Contact

99 Rue des Fusillés de la Résistance
25000 BESANCON

03 81 87 83 33
contact@citadelle.besancon.fr
www.citadelle.com/fr