Visit formulas
Guided tours
*NEW La Citadelle, just for you!
La Citadelle welcomes you in VIP mode, before or after it opens to the public. Once you've been welcomed and given a brief introduction to the site in front of the imposing statue of Vauban, you'll climb up the rampart walk. From the top of the rampart, you can admire Vauban's remarkable defensive system and the architectural beauty of the fortress, while looking out over the breathtaking panoramic views of Besançon's historic center, encircled by the meandering Doubs River, and the surrounding hills, where nature is omnipresent. An ideal moment for a few souvenir photos...
Offer reserved for tourism professionals, associations and companies. Does not apply to individuals.
April to September inclusive.
Opening hours : in the morning, after sunrise (7:30 a.m.), or at the end of the day (30 minutes after the site closes)
1 Additional option: Welcome and guided tour in French or English
Accompanied by a guide, discover the history and many anecdotes of the fortress.
2 Additional option: welcome coffee
Enjoy a drink and pastries when there's no one on site.
Prices : please consult us.
2000 years of history
Learn about the characteristics of a bastioned fortification, Vauban's work and career, and the role of the Citadelle, from its construction to its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Outdoor tour
Secret Citadel
From the construction to the daily life of the soldiers, including its inclusion on the Unesco World Heritage List, an optimal discovery of Vauban's masterpiece, including a passage through a 127 m long underground gallery.
April to October only.
Group size: 18 people, weather permitting.
Access not possible for people with reduced mobility or visual impairments.
Indoor and outdoor tours.
La Citadelle goes green
This stone citadel hides more green than you might think. From the hilly landscape to the interior gardens, via the vanished nursery, discover a citadel that has been planted since the 17th century.
Group size: 20 people
Outdoor tour
In the footsteps of Vauban
Vauban "in person" reveals all the secrets of the enclosure, and shares his knowledge and passion for the history and architecture of the Citadelle. A visit to remember!
A difficult visit for people who have difficulty walking and standing.
Vauban, the citadel and UNESCO
Why were the Citadelle and fortifications of Besançon, designed by Vauban, included on UNESCO's World Heritage List? During this visit, a mediator provides answers to this question through her presentation of the site, and also discusses the broader notion of World Heritage.
Outdoor tour
Express tour
A quick but intense dive into the history of the site, covering the essential stages of the Citadelle, from its construction to the present day.
Outdoor tour
A difficult visit for people who have difficulty walking and standing.
Laughter is a combat sport
This unusual tour takes place on the top level of the Musée comtois. It features a rare collection of puppets dating from the 19th century to the present day, illustrating the local craze for this lively art form with its strong satirical overtones!
Group size: 18 people
The deportation art collection: a treasure trove at the Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation
Le Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation de Besançon possède l’un des plus importants fonds d’Art en déportation d’Europe, composés de 600 dessins, statuettes et peintures réalisés par les déportés dans les camps et prisons du Reich. Approchez ces œuvres qui témoignent de l’implacable machine de répression nazie, mais aussi des liens de solidarité et d’humanité qui se tissèrent entre les déportés.
Group size: 18 people
Indoor tours only available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Visit - Discover the Museum of Resistance and Deportation
Accompanied by a guide, come and discover the museum and its rich collections, including an exceptional collection of deported art, and immerse yourself in the daily life of French people in the early 1940s.
Group size: 18 people
Indoor tours only available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Discover the Zoological Gardens
Come and discover our animals and understand the challenges of conserving endangered species. Why preserve these species and their habitats?
What threats do they face? What's being done, and what role does the Museum play?
A natural history
Biodiversity as you've never seen it before! Reserve this space for a guided tour that invites you to ask: what is biodiversity?
How does it evolve? What is an ecosystem? What impact do human activities have on nature?
September to March only.
Free, themed or even digital...
- Self-guided tour including discovery of the site, museums and animal areas.
- with the Macitadelle application
The Citadelle offers a digital application on tablet or smartphone with an interactive guide to find your way around, discover the site and its museums, and find out about the events on offer. Various tour routes and quizzes are available.
In French, English, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian or Japanese (depending on tour)
Tablets available on loan.