What to do and see in Doubs, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté: The Best Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Doubs, France including La Citadelle de Besancon, Musee Gustave Courbet, Horloge Astronomique De la Cathedrale, Musee du Temps et Palais Granvelle, Parc Pres la Rose, Distillerie GUY, Saut du Doubs, Parc Micaud, Musee de la Resistance et de la Deportation, Office de Tourisme Malbuisson.
Restaurants in Doubs
1. La Citadelle de Besancon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,165 reviews
Reviewed By Hatton20 - London, United Kingdom
This is one of several citadelles designed by the mighty Vauban, military architect extraordinaire to Louis XIV and considered his masterpiece and the most beautiful. It is illuminated at night but check times as the lights are turned off quite early. There are 3 museums in the Citadelle which can be reached by a bus at Chamars or small train from the centre of Besancon. You can easily spend a whole day there. Take a picnic if weather is lovely. The Resistance Museum and Regional Museum (Musée Comtois) are inside the walls. The walk around the ramparts is stunning and gives a wonderful view of this stunning city on the Doubs which is in a loop in the river.
2. Musee Gustave Courbet
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 361 reviews
The Departmental Courbet museum presents the life and work of Gustave Courbet, realistic painter from Ornans, through a rich permanent exhibition of over 70 works. The permanent collection evokes Ornans to Paris, his life, the aesthetic revolution he led, artistic circles he frequented, and political and social commitments. The museum organizes two temporary exhibitions each year and offers many activities: concerts, storytelling, shows, conferences, etc., detailed in our "cultural programming" quarterly.
Reviewed By 133johno - Washington DC, United States
This museum shows one of the most comprehensive collections of Courbet’s works, including drawings and engravings. Situated on the Loue, located in the heart of Ornans where Courbet was born, raised and lived off and on for a good part of his life, the museum gives the visitor a solid grounding in his work. The modern installation is airy and bright. The wall plaques provide context and for those who read French and can decipher Courbet’s spidery handwriting, a generous sampling of his letters presents a good sense of how important the natural world of Ornans was as an inspiration. Ornans may be a little off the beaten path but the trip is well worth the time. Plus the twisting road down into the narrow valley of the Loue in which Ornans sits is an experience in itself.
3. Horloge Astronomique De la Cathedrale
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 284 reviews
Built between 1858 and 1860 by Auguste Lucien Vérité, the astronomical clock has a precise and complex mechanism consisting of over 30,000 parts and 11 movements. Worked by weights, some operate chimes and automata. The 57 faces provide a lot of information: calendars, the tides in 8 ports, eclipses… Visitors can look all around the clock and see its interior mechanisms. Open: > Tours at 9.50 a.m., 10.50 a.m., 11.50 a.m., 2.50 p.m., 3.50 p.m., 4.50 p.m., 5.50 p.m. Closed: > Tuesdays. > Wednesdays form 1st October to 31st March. > January. > 1st January, 1st May, 1st November, 11th November and 25th December. Admission fees: Adults : 3 €; Concessions (18 to 25) = 2,50 €; Free admission: minors under 18*; Free admission: 18-25 years old* (citizens of one of the 27 countries of the EU or are non-European permanent residents of France) * excluding school groups
4. Musee du Temps et Palais Granvelle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 360 reviews
Reviewed By AntoineWaterfall - Volleges, Switzerland
Especially for a Swiss citizen this visit is a must. First by touring this immense palace and Mansion the visitor understands the importance of the Granvelle family for Europe (once as important as the Italian Medici). Then the detailed explanations and visits of the immense watchmaking industry locally produced is so informative and impressive, that the visitor finally understands Besançon 'genius loci' (the genial spirit of the place). Perhaps here is in Europe the best explained 'grande complication' (high complexity) watch. Study and enjoy. Do not miss the excellent museum shop (very advanced literature on the 'haute horlogerie subject - finest watchmaking). Oh, I forgot: here is a hight tower with a fantastic view on the old city roofs, and the famous 'Foucault pendulum' experiment. Enjoy!
5. Parc Pres la Rose
6. Distillerie GUY
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 121 reviews
Last distillery of Absinthe in Pontarlier, this is a family business for 5 generations (since 1890). You can attend the distillation in our centuries-old copper stills, and discover the bottling of our quality products: Pontarlier-Anis (unique aperitif made with distilled aniseed), absinthe, liqueurs and eaux-de-vie from plants and fruits (fir tree, gentian ...). Tour and tasting are free.
Reviewed By slusheeman - Lanark, United Kingdom
Interesting visit to a small distillery, friendly staff who gave us a tasting and explanation of what they made. Their English slightly better than our French, however they have leaflets in English that give the history and the process. Try their fir liqueur, very weird.
7. Saut du Doubs
8. Parc Micaud
9. Musee de la Resistance et de la Deportation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 172 reviews
Reviewed By HeatherA730 - Watford, United Kingdom
This museum is within the grounds of the citadel and although the entrance is all part of the overall ticket that you purchase, this is worth it's own review. The museum is dedicated to the year of war, occupation and resistance during WW2. It has many original artefacts to view and photos. The upstairs is about the concentration camps and isn't recommended for visitors under 10 years, however we took our 11 and 13 years olds through it. They were both uncomfortable but very engaged. Reading as much information as possible and asking lots of questions. It's not all easy viewing but very worthwhile to remember what happened. I only have one very slight criticism of the place, there isn't a lot written in English. We're all non-french speakers. All of the rooms had laminated A4 sheets that you could take that were translations of the French into either English or German, but in the vast majority of cases there were no English ones. Obviously the photos speak for themselves and with a smattering of French and a knowledge of history we could answer our children's questions. However some further information in English would have been useful. All in all I would say come here. It's worth it.
10. Office de Tourisme Malbuisson
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
