Plan my visit to the Citadel of Besançon

• Three centuries of history
  Discover the characteristics of a bastioned fortification, the work and career of Vauban, and the various roles of the Citadel, from its construction to its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
  Duration: 1 hour.
• The Citadel in the^17th century
  Immerse yourself in the Grand Siècle to discover the reign of Louis XIV, the construction of the citadel, and the daily life of the troops as you visit the Espace Vauban and the soldiers' barracks.
  Duration: 45 min.

• Secret Citadel
  From its construction to the daily life of the soldiers, including its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List, this tour offers an optimal discovery of Vauban's masterpiece, including a visit to two underground galleries.
  Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes.
  

Tour led by an actor

• In the footsteps of Vauban
  Vauban himself reveals all the secrets of the enclosure and shares his knowledge and passion for the history and architecture of the Citadel. A memorable visit!
  Duration: 1 hour.

Fun trail

The Citadel offers a self-guided game trail that you can enjoy on your own, with friends, or with family.

• Jeu-parcours La Malédiction des Siècles (Indisponible du 2 novembre 2025 au 3 avril 2026)
  Équipé d’un sac aventure, vous parcourez les époques et explorez les différents espaces et musées de la Citadelle afin de sauver la famille Marcellin d’une malédiction ancestrale lancée par un puissant sorcier. En résolvant les énigmes et en déjouant les mauvais tours, peut-être viendrez-vous à bout de La Malédiction des Siècles ?
  Durée : deux heures maximum.

Try out our app!

Enjoy a self-guided tour withthe MaCitadelle app. Armed with a smartphone or tablet, set off to explore the site with the entire Citadel in your pocket! The app reveals the secrets of the site and its history, as well as its museums and activities. Not to mention the tour routes and games that let you discover the Citadel in a whole new way:

• the Citadelle tour in brief (available in French, English, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, and Japanese),
• the Vauban Site tour for adults and children (available in French, English, German, and Italian),
• the Museum tour (available in French),
• the FALC (Easy to Read and Understand) program for people with intellectual disabilities,
• Audio-described tour for people with visual impairments
• Accessible route for people with reduced mobility
• two investigation games (available in French, English, German, and Italian)

How to use the MaCitadelle app in just a few steps!

Persons with reduced mobility (PRM)

The following are accessible to people with reduced mobility:

• the historical multimedia show (Saint-Étienne chapel), the mill, the dormitory, and the Vauban area,
• the Naturalium and the Aquarium; partially, the Zoological Garden,
• the ground floor of the Comtois Museum (Dairy and Foundry),
• The Museum of Resistance and Deportation is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility.
• the temporary exhibition hall at the Royal Front.
• The escape game "Citadel Under Siege!" – adapted version
• The MaCitadelle visitor app, which is free and requires no download, offers a route for people with reduced mobility.

When visiting other areas, we advise people with reduced mobility to be accompanied by an adult (due to the slope of the ground in the Zoological Garden, to access the Small Farm, paving, etc.).

A TPMR vehicle (adapted vehicle) is available for people with reduced mobility to access the flat part of the site. It is also possible to enter the site with your own vehicle, subject to prior authorization from our services on 03.81.87.83.33.

People with hearing impairments

The Citadel reception area is equipped with a BIM (magnetic loop for the hearing impaired) and the switchboard telephone (03.81.87.83.33) is equipped with the ACCEO system.

The historical multimedia show projected in the Saint Étienne chapel is accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors thanks to magnetic loops, available at the Citadel reception desk.

The film "Au cœur d'une citadelle" (Inside a Citadel), screened in the Vauban space, is fully subtitled, as are all the films shown in the Naturalium and Noctarium (a film about the life of bats).

The free MaCitadelle visitor app features a video in French Sign Language (station 4). It provides a good introduction to the architecture and history of the site. All video content in this app is also subtitled.

All group tours of the Citadel are available provided that the group is accompanied by an LSF interpreter (at the group's expense). Details of the tours on offer can be found HERE.

People with intellectual disabilities

You will find an Easy-to-Read and Understand booklet at the Citadel reception desk.

This Easy to Read and Understand booklet can be downloaded by clicking here: FALC booklet

To visit the Citadel with your phone, use the MaCitadelle app.

This application is free and does not require downloading.

People with visual impairments

To help you find your way around the Citadel, a Braille map is available at the reception desk. Free loan.

The Citadel has touchscreen modules that make it easier for visually impaired and blind people to explore the site. You will find them:

• Touchscreen model providing an understanding of the architecture and different construction materials used on the site, in the Vauban area, at the Naturalium, at the aquarium, and at the Petite Ferme.
• Several signs transcribed into Braille can be found on the site: near the statue of Vauban, in the zoo, and on the six orientation tables.

The Noctarium features touch and sound devices that allow visitors to encounter nocturnal animals.

The soldiers' barracks is an audio-described space accessed via a push button on the introductory panel. There are many objects to touch, providing a rich sensory experience.

The MaCitadelle visitor app, which is free and does not require downloading, has an audio-described version that is compatible with speech synthesis software.

Access the Citadel
To access the Citadel more easily, you can download the "Ginko Guide" app, which helps visually impaired people navigate the bus and tram network in Greater Besançon.
App available for download on the Apple Store
App available for download on Android

Guided workshops and tours

Our mediation teams occasionally welcome visitors with disabilities (blind and visually impaired, deaf and hard of hearing, people with intellectual and psychological disabilities, people with reduced mobility) and offer them tailored programs for children and adults.

For more information and/or to make a reservation, please contact us at 03 81 87 83 33.

• Learn more about this program
• Contact the Citadel

Useful information

• Attractions close 15 minutes before the site closes.
• Ticket office closes 30 minutes before the site closes.
• In case of bad weather and strong winds, the walkways will be closed.
• During your visit, keep a constant and effective watch on your children.

Prohibitions

• Pets are not allowed on the site, as the Citadel is subject to the dual regulations governing public parks and zoological areas.
• Due to the Vigipirate security plan, it is not possible to leave items at reception.
• Strollers are not permitted in certain areas of the museum (Insectarium, Noctarium, and top floor of the Musée comtois) or on the walkways.
• It is strictly forbidden to engage in activities that may disturb the peace and safety of the public, staff, and animals.
• It is forbidden to feed the animals.
• Smoking is prohibited throughout the Citadel (Decree No. 2025-582 of June 27, 2025, relating to smoke-free areas).
• Photography and filming for professional or commercial purposes: authorization required. Information available from the Communications Department.