Illustration: Press and Media

Press and Media

Welcome to your press area

The Citadel of Besançon: 1 World Heritage Site, 3 “Musées de France,” and a cultural and tourist destination that embodies UNESCO’s founding values.

In this section, you’ll find our press releases, press kits, and highlights of the year.
If you need additional information, photos, or help arranging your visit, we’re here to help. Please feel free to contact us.

Your contacts
Communications Department
Media Relations
Phone 03 81 87 83 08 / 06 47 90 37 89
Marie-Pierre Papazian
Marketing and Communications Manager
Annual Press Kit
2026

The history of the Besançon Citadel is closely linked to that of its architect: Vauban. Vauban, who drew up the plans for the structure in 1668, would leave a profound mark on the entire city. Right in the heart of the city, no fewer than 18 other Vauban heritage sites dot the fortifications and reinforce the remarkable heritage identity of the capital of the Franche-Comté region. This outstanding military architectural complex has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since July 2008. With an average of 290,000 visitors annually and a wide range of attractions (heritage, history, museums, biodiversity, cultural programming, and more), the Citadel of Besançon is a must-see site in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region.

Thematic press kits:

Press Releases:

Cit’alloween
Event
Cit’alloween
October 19, 2026
For Halloween, the Citadel of Besançon takes on the air of a haunted fortress. Throughout the weekend, families, friends, and thrill-seekers will alternate between bursts of laughter and little scares with escape games, activities, shows, and games. On Saturday evening, the monument will open its doors at nightfall with a fire show and a special event featuring an even spookier atmosphere, where ghosts and monsters emerge from their lairs…
October Break at the Citadel
Event
October Break at the Citadel
October 6, 2026
Ghosts, masks, and mysterious creatures: From October 17 to November 1, the Citadel of Besançon transforms into a playground of discovery for young and old alike
and is decked out in autumnal decorations for a feast for the eyes. Unique tours, creative workshops, and a scavenger hunt set the tone for these October school holidays.
"Grand Siècle" Weekend: Women's Stories
Vauban Monument
"Grand Siècle" Weekend: Women's Stories
September 21, 2026
On Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27, the Citadel of Besançon will host the 2026 edition of its traditional “Grand Siècle Weekend.”
This year, the event features a brand-new theme titled “Women’s Stories,” dedicated to the roles and daily lives of women in the 17th and 18th centuries.



EXHIBITION: Forts on the Borders and Forts on the Hills
Vauban Monument
EXHIBITION: Forts on the Borders and Forts on the Hills
September 16, 2026
From September 20 to November 1, 2026, the Citadel of Besançon will host a dual exhibition titled “Forts of the Borders & Forts of the Hills,” featuring the work of photographer Michel Eisenlohr. It offers a visual and historical exploration of the world of fortifications, spanning from the south of France to Besançon’s defensive belt.
European Heritage Days
Event
European Heritage Days
September 10, 2026
To celebrate European Heritage Days, the Besançon Citadel will open its doors wide on Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Highlights include guided tours, access to areas usually closed to the public, and two exhibitions on “endangered heritage” and “photographic heritage”—national themes selected by the Ministry of Culture.
A New Home for François's Langurs
Museum
A New Home for François's Langurs
September 7, 2026
The Besançon Citadel Museum is inaugurating a new enclosure within its zoological park, designed to house François’s langur and a new species, the striped-necked turtle, under optimal conditions for animal welfare. Largely carried out by in-house teams and with the support of corporate sponsors, this project combines the conservation of endangered species, respect for all living things, technical expertise, and public outreach.
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