The Musée du Temps in Besançon: a museum in a palace
Located in the heart of a prestigious Renaissance palace, the Granvelle Palace, the Time Museum retraces the great moments of watchmaking in Besançon, bringing together the history of time measurement and the history of the city.
The evocation of Besançon as a "watchmaking capital" is reflected in the museum through the city's heritage collections. In addition to the famous Leroy 01, long considered the most complicated watch in the world, the museum presents some of the instruments of the Besançon Astronomical Observatory, which certified the correct operation of the chronometers, as well as the educational material of the National Watchmaking School. In addition, the watchmaking collections offer an overview of the history of the discipline, with Ferdinand Berthoud and Antide Janvier representing some of the greatest names in watchmaking history.
At the same time, tapestries, famous people, relief drawings, historical paintings, furniture and objets d'art invite us to delve into the history of the place, the town and even the Franche-Comté region.
To finish, a panorama of the city's roofs is offered to visitors after contemplating Foucault's famous pendulum, located at the foot of the palace tower, which gives rhythm to the Earth's rotation.
Musée du Temps 96 Grande ruePalais Granvelle25000 BESANCON
Credit card, Payment cards, Cheques and postal orders, Cash, Eurocard - Mastercard, Visa
Pets not allowed
Amenities
Fully equipped meeting room
Toilettes
Services
Shop
Room rental
Activity
Specific theme activities
Adult workshop
Junior workshop
Conferences
Temporary exhibitions
Chains and Labels
Prices & SchedulesOpening :
From 05/11/2024 to 22/12/2024 of 14:00 to 18:00. Closed on : Monday
The 24/12/2024
From 26/12/2024 to 31/12/2024 of 10:00 to 12:30 - of 14:00 to 18:00. Closed on : Monday
From 02/01/2025 to 06/01/2025 of 10:00 to 12:30 - of 14:00 to 18:00. Closed on : Monday
From 07/01/2025 to 21/02/2025 of 14:00 to 18:00. Closed on : Monday
From 22/02/2025 to 09/03/2025 of 10:30 to 12:30 - of 14:00 to 18:00. Closed on : Monday
From 10/03/2025 to 31/03/2025 of 14:00 to 18:00. Closed on : Monday
From 01/04/2025 to 18/04/2025 of 10:00 to 12:30 - of 14:00 to 18:00. Closed on : Monday
From 19/04/2025 to 30/04/2025 of 10:00 to 12:30 - of 14:00 to 18:00. Closed on : Monday
From 02/05/2025 to 04/05/2025 of 10:00 to 12:30 - of 14:00 to 18:00. Closed on : Monday
From 05/05/2025 to 04/07/2025 of 10:00 to 12:30 - of 14:00 to 18:00. Closed on : Monday
From 05/07/2025 to 31/08/2025 of 10:00 to 12:30 - of 14:00 to 18:00. Closed on : Monday
From 01/09/2025 to 17/10/2025 of 10:00 to 12:30 - of 14:00 to 18:00. Closed on : Monday
From 18/10/2025 to 31/10/2025 of 10:00 to 12:30 - of 14:00 to 18:00. Closed on : Monday
The 02/11/2025
From 03/11/2025 to 19/12/2025 of 14:00 to 18:00. Closed on : Monday
From 20/12/2025 to 24/12/2025 of 10:00 to 12:30 - of 14:00 to 18:00. Closed on : Monday
From 26/12/2025 to 31/12/2025 of 10:00 to 12:30 - of 14:00 to 18:00. Closed on : Monday
Low season from 2 November to 31 March (excluding school holidays): Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday / 2pm-6pm High season from 1 April to 31 October, and during zone A school holidays: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday / 10am-12.30pm 2pm-6pm All year round: Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays / 10am-6pm non-stop
Opening times
Open to the general public: Low season from 2 November to 31 March (excluding school holidays): Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday / 2pm-6pm High season from 1 April to 31 October, and during zone A school holidays: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday / 10am-12.30pm 2pm-6pm
All year round: Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays / 10am-6pm non-stop
Groups welcome: Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 6pm without interruption
Closed on Closed on Mondays Annual closures: 1 January, 1 May, 1 November, 25 December
Prices :
Base rate - full rate adult (Combined ticket with the Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeology and Maison Victor Hugo) : 8.6€
Gratuities (1st Sunday of the month)
Other rate (Bisontin rate) : 6.5€
Other rate (reduced rate) : 4.3€
Special opening conditions :
The Museum of Time will close on Monday 8 November and reopen in mid-June 2022.
