Citadelle de Besançon

About the museum

The Citadel of Besançon is a work by Vauban, completed in 1684. It towers more than 100 metres above the old town, which lies within a loop of the Doubs river. It is an example of bastioned fortification architecture and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The site covers about 11 hectares.

Over the centuries the citadel served as a barracks, as a school for future officers known as cadets, and later as a state prison and military penitentiary. Today the site houses, among other things, a museum devoted to the Resistance and deportation.

The site is now devoted to culture and tourism. A single ticket gives access to the monument, the Espace Vauban, the Musée comtois, the Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation and the Muséum, which includes a zoo, an aquarium, an insectarium and a nocturnal house. A multimedia show in the Saint-Étienne chapel recounts the history of the city and the citadel, and the walkways offer views over Besançon.

Highlights

• Vauban citadel, UNESCO World Heritage Site
• 300-degree multimedia show in the Saint-Étienne chapel
• Musée comtois and Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation
• Museum of natural history with zoo, aquarium, insectarium and nocturnal house
• Walkways and views over the Doubs loop

Permanent exhibitions

• Espace Vauban et spectacle multimédia – Four rooms explain the construction and history of the citadel; a 300-degree show in the Saint-Étienne chapel tells the story of the city.
• Musée comtois – The museum presents the life of the people of the Franche-Comté: their trades, beliefs, food and pastimes.
• Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation – History museum devoted to the Resistance and deportation, fully accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.

Founded

1668

Operated by

Établissement public de la Ville de Besançon

Admission & discounts

A single ticket gives access to the monument, the three museums (Musée comtois, Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation, the Muséum with its animal enclosures) and the temporary exhibitions. Adults: €13.50 in high season (April 1 to November 1), €9.50 in low season. Free for war veterans. Several tourist and cultural passes (Besançon Pass Tourisme, Pass Culture, Carte Avantages Jeunes, Muséum Pass) include the citadel. Payment by cash, card, cheque, Chèque-Vacances or PIVE.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description

Several areas are accessible to visitors with reduced mobility, including the multimedia show, the Espace Vauban, the Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation (in full), the aquarium and the Naturalium; others are only partly accessible because of the slopes and cobbles. A shuttle or adapted vehicle takes visitors to the flat part of the site. Induction loop at reception, subtitled films, an easy-read booklet, a Braille plan, tactile models and an audio-described route in the MaCitadelle app.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Trail game “La Malédiction des siècles” with an adventure bag (up to two hours), 360-degree games, an escape game, a small farm and zoo, and workshops during school holidays. Pushchairs are not allowed in some areas (insectarium, nocturnal house, top floor of the Musée comtois, walkways). Minors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Getting there & parking

Secure shelters and bicycle racks near the car park. Buses and trams are free on Saturdays across the entire Ginko network.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check: not available

Restaurant Momentum (lunch only, 12:00–14:30), snacks and ice cream from Golosa, museum shop and bookshop, and picnic tables. Left-luggage at reception is not possible.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Rooms available for hire for events; see the dedicated page.

Plan your visit