Charming towns and villages
In cities, houses are usually separated from the street by a courtyard. This is a tradition in eastern France. There are still some beautiful vestiges of history. In the villages, make way for the charm and majesty of the "Comtois style"! Even if there isn't just one - quite the contrary. Above all, Comtois houses are designed to withstand the region's harsh climate. The Musée des Maisons Comtoises in Nancray is the perfect place to discover this very special habitat.
Castles
In Franche-Comté, castles served as fortifications, residences and social centers. Examples include the Château de Joux near Pontarlier in the Doubs region, and Gy and Vallerois-le-Bois in Haute-Saône. Further south, in the Loue valley in particular, there are a number of castles on hills and knolls, whose main purpose was to deter intruders. As time went by and the region was pacified, the castles became rich mansions or fell into ruin. They bear witness to all periods of Comtoise history.
The ruins of many medieval castles are still visible: here and there, a rampart or a section of wall recalls the great era of lords and knights. Many "modern" castles, restructured or even rebuilt over the centuries, have replaced the primitive fortified castles destroyed during the troubled periods of Comtoise history. It would be futile to try and find unity in their appearance or vocation today. Erected, destroyed and remodeled at different times and for different purposes, most are now privately owned. Some are open to the public, others are not. Some have become luxury guesthouses or host receptions. So, there's no "route des châteaux", but wherever you go in the region, you're sure to find one of these beautiful residences along the way.
Religious architecture
The churches, often destroyed during the 17th century Ten Years' War, were rebuilt thanks to the financial support of the Comtois towns. They are brimming with treasures, such as altarpieces, the sculpted and painted decorations that sit atop altars. But the particularity of Comtois religious buildings lies higher up... Comtoise-style bell towers are adorned with "wave" motifs. There are over 700 typical bell towers in the region, and they have become the emblem of the region.
There are also some fifteen abbeys, monasteries and convents.
And of course, when it comes to religious architecture, it's impossible not to mention the Notre-Dame-du-Haut chapel in Ronchamp built by Le Corbusier in 1955.
Military architecture
The history of Franche-Comté and its geographical position have shaped the landscapes and horizons. In the cities, one cannot ignore the military fortifications. See Belfort, Dole and especially Besançon, whose plans were drawn up by the great Vauban. He was inspired by other citadels to design a real urban plan, well beyond simple military fortifications.
The Citadel
The Citadelle de Besançon (Unesco) overlooks the city. It was designed by Vauban (1633-1707). The first stone was laid in 1668, when the town was in Spanish hands. On August 10, 1678, the Treaty of Nijmegen attached the city and its region to the kingdom of France. Louis XIV entrusted Vauban with the task of continuing the construction. Today, La Citadelle is the city's symbol and a major tourist attraction. The chapel houses a 15-minute multimedia projection on the history of the Citadelle and Besançon. The site is home to three museums: the Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation, which reopened after three years of renovation and is now well equipped for visitors, the Musée Comtois and the Muséum. The latter features several animal exhibits. Cultural events are scheduled throughout the year. Tip: buy your tickets online and benefit from the reduced rate.
The castle of Joux
A stone castle at the end of the 12th century, Joux became the main residence of the Sires de Joux and their successors until 1454. On that date, the powerful Count and Duke of Burgundy Philippe le Bon bought the castle of Joux and installed a small garrison there. Under Charles V, the County of Burgundy became Spanish and remained so until the conquest of Louis XIV in 1674. It was then that the castle of Joux, a frontier place, was fortified by Vauban and soon housed several hundred soldiers. State prison under the Ancien Régime, the Revolution and the Consulate, the castle also locked up many prisoners of war throughout the Empire.
Travel back in time, from the buried fort built by Captain Joffre to the first medieval dwelling, via the vertical gallery with its astonishing spiral staircase to its vertiginous well. The fortifications of Joux are very well preserved and were regularly adapted until the end of the 19th century.
From Mirabeau, a young aristocrat who went astray, to Toussaint Louverture, the father of Haitian independence, come and meet some extraordinary characters, famous or anonymous. Let yourself be told the legends of Joux... They will take you back to the distant era of the crusades. Love, secrets and betrayals, stories that will leave a lasting impression on your memory with their scent of poetry and barbarism.
