Departure : Besançon
Arrival : Montbéliard

Get ready for a mouthwatering journey, whether by car, train, or even by bike. Along charming country roads, you’ll come across traditional cheese dairies inviting you to taste Comté. This is also the homeland of the famous Montbéliard sausage! Add to that fine dining, sweet treats, lively markets — a complete overview of the culinary delights this part of the Jura Mountains has to offer. And as a bonus: Cristel, a prestigious French brand crafting premium cookware, proudly made in France.

Local specialties such as Montbéliard sausage
Biscuit makers and patisseries
Traditional cheese dairies
Premium cookware
BFC Tourisme

Five raisons to follow this gourmet trail

👍 Discover the secrets behind the region’s iconic cheeses as local dairies open their doors to you.

👍 Indulge in a wealth of delicious local products, from sweet delights to savory artisan creations.

👍 Step behind the scenes at Cristel, an internationally renowned brand for its premium French cookware.

👍 Opt for a low-carbon version of the journey by hopping on a train or cycling along the way.

👍 Enjoy charming stops along the route — towns full of character and full of flavor.

HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR JOURNEY

  Stock up on local specialties

More of a sweet tooth or a fan of savory flavors?

Mint / BFC Tourisme
Visit a Comté cheese dairy…

Comté is the undisputed star of the region. To learn all about this famous cheese, there’s nothing better than a visit to a renowned dairy in the village of Passavant-Chazot.

Here, cheesemaker Benoît Cantin welcomes you into his fromagerie, where around 37 wheels of Comté are crafted every day — along with butter and cream. All these delicious products are available for purchase in the shop.

Fruitière de Passavant-Chazot
Michel JOLY / BFC Tourisme
Saucisse de Morteau et salaisons locales font partie du patrimoine gastronomique de Morteau
Secrets behind the famous Montbéliard sausage

At Maison Barbier, Franche-Comté tradition is kept alive with passion. Montbéliard sausage, smoked ham from Haut-Doubs, Jésus de Morteau… these iconic cured meats reflect an artisanal expertise that has been handed down from generation to generation.

Maison Barbier
Did you know? Montbéliard, birthplace of a famous cow
Nino SCHERER / BCFT

The Montbéliarde breed dates back to the 18th century, when Mennonite farmers, persecuted in Switzerland, found refuge in the Principality of Montbéliard. They brought with them their Bernese cattle, which were then crossed with local breeds. From this mix came the “improved Comtoise,” the ancestor of today’s Montbéliarde.

Today, this breed makes up 95% of the region’s dairy cows, producing the milk used for Comté, Morbier, and other truly iconic cheeses.

Biscuiterie Buhler
Pink biscuits, crêpes dentelles & cigarettes comtoises

At Biscuiterie Buhler, your sweet tooth will be put to the test with a tempting selection of French specialties: Biscuits Roses de Reims from Fossier, Gavottes Crêpes Dentelles, and many other delights, including the local Cigarettes Comtoises. This charming shop has been celebrating over 100 years of indulgence in Besançon.

Biscuiterie Buhler
Pâtisserie Bertin
Choucots, craquelins & artisanal ice cream

Pâtisserie Berin is brimming with specialties. Among them are choucots — a sweet treat made with almond paste and hazelnuts — as well as the famous craquelins and delicious homemade ice creams.

Pâtisserie Bertin
OT BLD
Craquelins et quince paste

For decades, Priscillia Thiebaud’s pâtisserie has been a beloved institution in Baume-les-Dames, renowned for its pastries, chocolates, confections, and ice creams. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a sweet break in the tearoom, savoring "craquelins", "craquants", and traditional quince paste.

Pâtisserie Chez Priscillia
A Foodie’s Paradise

Besançon’s covered market: a must-visit

GPPR / BFC Tourisme

An unmissable spot to discover and savor delicious local products in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Les Halles Beaux-Arts, the city’s covered market, brings together a wonderful variety of vendors — from butchers and delicatessens to cheesemongers and wine merchants. A stop not to be missed!

Halles Beaux-Arts

Must-Trys

Meet the masters of culinary art

Nino Scherer / BFC Tourisme
 Restaurant Le Saint Cerf

Chef Xavier Choulet elevates the finest French terroir products with a touch of exotic flair, inspired by his travels. On the menu, you’ll find creative dishes such as salmon tataki, beef pastilla, and cheesecake.

Restaurant Le Saint Cerf
Corinne Vasselet / BFC Tourisme
Maison Cristel

Cristel is one of France’s most prestigious cookware manufacturers. Awarded the “Living Heritage Company” label, the brand designs stainless-steel kitchenware that has earned its place in the kitchens of top chefs.

You can discover this exceptional industrial heritage on a guided tour organized by the Tourist Office.

Maison Cristel
2 towns to visit for local delights

Places to stop along the way

By car, by train or by bike

Your step-by-step itinerary

And why not do it by train or by bike?

 

By train: Montbéliard and Besançon are linked by rail and are easily accessible from many French and European cities (for example, allow about 2 hours 5 minutes to travel from Paris to Besançon).

By bike on EuroVelo 6: Follow this long-distance cycle route that runs along the Doubs valley between Montbéliard and Besançon — a 90 km mini-epic you can cover in one or two days. It’s a great way to enjoy the route’s gourmet highlights while burning off a few calories.

 

Contact the Tourist Offices

En résumé