Besançon and the Loue Valley are revitalising natural playgrounds offering a wide range of outdoor activities - including cycling, potholing and kayaking - to enjoy your getaway with friends to the full... and all just 3 hours from Paris by high-speed train!
And to recover from your efforts, you can count on our restaurants to serve delicious meals based on local products!
When you arrive in Besançon, opt for "soft mobility" by... taking another train!
The famous Horlogers line that runs between Besançon and Locle, in Switzerland, will take you across the picturesque landscape of the Doubs plateaus all the way to Mamirolle.
Added bonus: If you want to take your bike with you, the 'TER' regional express trains are equipped for this.
Discover the Horlogers line
The Loue valley has amazing scenery... both above and below the surface! To really make the most of it, the 'topsy-turvy tour' is the perfect solution!
In a single day, this excursion combines a guided hybrid E-bike tour with Happy's Experience in the morning, and a potholing experience in the Cavottes caves with Roc & Eau in the afternoon.
On your electric bike, follow Marion along the paths of the Loue Valley… She will take you to see the most beautiful sites and scenery around Montrond-le-Château. An activity to enjoy among friends, combining physical exercise - electrical assistance included - and the joys of exploring!
At lunchtime, what could be nicer than picnicking within the castle ruins of Montrond while enjoying the beautiful view?
Our tip: Lulu Muc et le Lapin is a grocery shop selling Besançon specialities, as well as delicious picnics based on fresh, local products. When you arrive in Besançon, here's your chance to purchase a takeaway snack for the following day...
View this tour
Accessible to all, potholing is a fabulous mix of sport, science, nature and adventure! Equipped with wetsuit, helmet, headlamp and harness, plunge into the depths of the Cavottes Caves to explore the underground passages!
Via passageways carved out by water, admire the stalactites and stalagmites as you move from cave to cave, abseiling down and whizzing along on the zipwire...
You're sure to experience a magical adventure, beyond time and space.
See Roc & Eau
After an action-packed day, how pleasant it is to take the time to relax in the evening! We recommend Chez Gervais, a hotel and restaurant on the banks of the river Loue with the best terrace you'll find in the area.
The house speciality? Fish from the rivers, cooked in dishes of a simplicity that matches the bucolic setting.
Dating from the late 18th century, the hotel is truly a little haven with a view over the river...
The next morning, get back in your cycling shorts, jump on your bikes... and head for Besançon!
You'll never get bored on your way to the Franche-Comté capital, thanks to the many viewpoints dotted along the path. You'll feast your eyes on a multitude of lovely panoramic views over the Doubs Valley and the outermost foothills of the Jura massif. On the last section of the itinerary, you'll follow the legendary Eurovélo 6 cycle path to reach the town centre.
Added bonus: You can leave your bikes there because Happy's Experience take care of everything!
Reward for your efforts! After all that pedalling, you deserve a nourishing meal in a beautiful spot.
For this, we recommend the restaurant Le Parc where the chef, Francesco Di Marzio, concocts healthy, gourmet dishes right next to Parc Micaud, one of the town's loveliest parks on the banks of the river Doubs...
The icing on the cake is a stunning view over the town and citadel of Besançon. Here, you'll feast your eyes as well as your tastebuds!
After that hearty meal, an afternoon nap is out of the question! Head for the river Doubs for a kayak descent through the town of Besançon!
You'll enjoy a mix of nature and culture as you paddle between the trees and historical monuments of this Franche-Comté town, like the citadel and the embankments.
Try kayaking in Besançon
After the sport, time for a spot of culture among friends: visit the Battant district (former winegrowing district) in an original way with the visiter.besancon.fr app, which suggests a number of cultural trails open to the public.
Our favourite is the one with about a dozen urban artworks dotted around the town!
See these walks
The aptly-named restaurant La Boucle (= The Loop) is located on... the loop of the Doubs where Besançon town centre stands!
In a cosy atmosphere of togetherness, you'll enjoy creative, flavoursome cuisine with an Asian twist and an exotic touch... all at very reasonable prices!
After two very intense days, you'll have earned the right to treat yourself to such delicious dishes, don't you think?
At a perfect location in the heart of Besançon's historic Saint-Jean district, L'Annexe offers its apartments within a former 18th-century private mansion. This calm, relaxing venue invites you to leap back in time amid the serene atmosphere created by a contemporary style mixed with the authentic charm of its era...
The mouthwatering Aime Café Miam on Square Saint-Amour serves deliciously colourful brunches!
Seasonal products, dishes cooked in-house, vegetarian options... everything here invites you to finish in style and replenish your energy after a fast-moving couple of days!
See the brunch menu
This getaway idea is a suggestion by the Loue Valley and Grand Besançon Tourist Offices. Don't hesitate to contact them for further information.
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