Splendour and scenery of Franche-Comté

With stunning mountain scenery and idyllic Gallic towns and villages, the French region of Franche-Comté is one of the undiscovered gems of the country. Tucked away near the Swiss border, Franche-Comté is even undiscovered by the French.

While it is home to the Vauban walled city of Besançon, a registered UNESCO World Heritage site, the region is also home to a wonderful landscape, bewildering range of cultural delights and outdoor activities and family delights.

However, it is the region's cuisine which really separates the area from some of central France- rich in tradition for both gourmets and wine connoisseurs.

Here travelbite.co.uk takes the quickest of looks at the highlights.

Cuisine

With a distinct culinary flavour of its own, Franche-Comté prides itself on its cuisine – which has proved to be among the biggest draws for visitors. Fresh local produce is always available from the region’s markets and producers, and the region’s cheeses are among the highlight.

The best known is Comté, a hard cheese with a fruity flavour matured over time in dedicated cellars, some of which are open to the public. Others include the Morbier, unpasteurised with a black ash line running through its middle, the Bleu de Gex, the local Emmenthal and Munster.

Smoked meats are also a staple on the area’s traditional menu, from Upper Doubs ham or the Morteau and Montbéliard sausages, which are smoked in a huge pyramid shaped fireplace called a Tuyé.

The local Jura wines are a perfect choice to compliment typical Franche-Comté dishes, with vineyards producing several white and red wines - including the distinctive Vin Jaune. This unusual white wine acquires its yellow colour after maturing for six years and three months precisely in oak casks.

Those with a sweet tooth will not go home empty handed, as local orchards are laden with apples, peaches, plums and cherries used in jams and tarts. Chocolatiers that have been in operation for many generations are also a particularly enjoyable stop – with some of the world masters of chocolate ready to welcome visitors to their cocoa delights.

With hundreds of restaurants, markets and producers open to the public all year round, there is likely to be something for every pallet.

Family Breaks

For adventurous families, the region’s numerous acrobatic trails and via ferrata (iron road) sites are an apt choice, while underground thrills can be found at the 'souterrains aventures' in the Fort des Rousses , an underground treasure hunt built on the site of a former commando-training centre.

There are great winter sports activities available in resorts including les Planches en Montagne, La Pesse, Métabief and Les Rousses, while children with a love of animals can get up close and personal with several breeds of cattle including a new cross of the famous prehistoric cow, the Auroch, at the Aurochs Farm in Douciers.

Families staying in Les Rousses can stop at the Parc Polaire. With the largest husky pack in Europe, this is the ideal place to find out more about husky dog and reindeer habitat.

Young culture vultures are also catered for in the Franche-Comté, the birthplace of Victor Hugo and Louis Pasteur. Boys will particularly enjoy the Peugeot museum in Sochaux, which houses an impressive collection of cars dating back to the beginnings of the famous brand.

Finally, for a true taste of childhood, the Toy Museum in Moirans-en-Montagne’s showcases no less than 16,000 toys and games from all over the world.

Culture

Situated at a strategic point in Europe, Franche-Comté counts a number of fortresses and military buildings now open to the public; including the Belfort and the Besançon Citadels, both designed by French military architect Vauban.

Nowadays, the Besançon Citadel houses a zoo and several museums including the Museum of Resistance and Deportation, which provides a moving account of wartime Europe.

Built only a few miles away from the Swiss border, the Château de Joux was used as a fortress and as a jail for political prisoners. Famous prisoners included French Revolution supporter, the Count of Mirabeau, and General Toussaint l’Ouverture, one of the fathers of the anti-slavery movement.



Chateau de Joux (Franche-Comté)

Museums are also very much part of the Franche-Comté’s cultural scene with visitors able to take their pick of the museums belonging to the Network of Museums of Comtois Techniques and Cultures.

Gathering such museums as the Toy, Wood Carving and Spectacles Museums under one umbrella, the network produces a special pass allowing visitors to enter all member museums at a discounted rate.

Outdoor adventures

With activities available on land, water and in the air, Franche-Comté has a great deal on offer for those looking to stretch their legs.

In 2008, the Nantes-Budapest Eurovéloroute stretch crossing the Franche-Comté will open to the public. The 187-kilometre stretch, which follows the Doubs River, combines easy cycling and some challenging rides in the local mountains.

This is in addition to over 3,500 kilometres of cycling tracks – including the steep Métabief descents for more experienced cyclists – which will test all ability levels.



Biking in the region(Franche-Comté)

Hiking is also on offer, from the challenging mountain ranges to the more sedate countryside walks around the town of Montbéliard, Franche-Comté offers more than 7,000 kilometres of footpaths catering for all levels.

More ideas for routes and adventure can be found here.

Fishing, with the region home to 30 of the best fishing sites in France, particularly along the Loue and Lison rivers is also high recommended. Lake fishing is also available at the Saint-Point or the Malsaucy lakes. Additionally the only fishing museum in France, which is situated in Ornans, is worth a look

Over on the water, Franche-Comté offers boating on the Doubs and Saône River, canoeing, sailing and of course swimming in one of the region’s lakes and rivers especially catering for visitors.

The more adventurous can also take part in a caving trip to one of the 9,000 swallow holes and caves of the area.

Finally, the Jura in Franche-Comté are known for their cross-country skiing tracks, available in most resorts including Les Rousses and Métabief, with experienced cross-country skiers challenged to tackle the Grande Traversée du Jura - a 200-kilometre track punctuated by places to eat and accommodation for the night.

Festivals & Special Events

To celebrate the festive season, Les Lumières de Noël, in Montbéliard, will feature a Christmas market, street shows and 65,000 lights decorating the town centre.

The event, taking place from November 24th to December 24th, is the ideal place to get in the Christmas mood, and find out more about Franche-Comté traditions during the festive season.

The city of Besançon will also hold a 'sensible Christmas' event, from November 29th until December 24th, to mark the 50th anniversary of its Christmas festivities.

The capital of Franche-Comté’s, the city will only use energy-saving light bulbs for the impressive light display and the Christmas market will feature fair trade products from 15 different third world countries.

Les Rousses will host the Christmas in the Mountains event, from December 20th to January 4th.

Located in the heart of the Regional Parc of the Upper Jura, the small family ski resort of Les Rousses is an ideal place to celebrate Christmas, with a beautiful light display, the resort features street processions, concerts and dog-sledge rides ensuring a magical time during the festive season.

Finally, Moirans-en Montagne’s Christmas in the Toy Country will take place between December 19th and 21st.

Home to the local toy making industry, the town in the Jura Mountains celebrates Christmas in style with exhibitions, a street procession and many opportunities to sample the local wooden toys making it a treat for the whole family.

More Information

Take a look at the official Franche-Comté visitors website for more information, as well as ideas for places to stay.

Chris O'Toole