Designed to find inspirations Travel reels
Besançon
Welcome to Besançon, the historic capital of the Franche-Comté region, nestled in a stunning oxbow of the Doubs River. A city of immense history, from its Roman roots to its watchmaking legacy, and dominated by its magnificent UNESCO-listed Vauban citadel, this guide to the best luxury hotels in Besançon reveals the city’s most charming and elegant stays.
Welcome to Besançon: The Historic Jewel of Franche-Comté
Welcome to Besançon, the elegant and historic capital of the beautiful Franche-Comté region, uniquely and strategically nestled in a stunning and protective oxbow of the Doubs River. A city of immense and layered history, from its ancient Roman roots to its celebrated and intricate watchmaking legacy, Besançon is dominated by its magnificent and imposing UNESCO-listed Vauban citadel, which stands majestically on a hill overlooking the city. From its beautiful, historic old town to its serene riverside promenades, this comprehensive guide to the best luxury hotels in Besançon will reveal the city’s most charming, historic, and elegant stays for an unforgettable journey into a lesser-known gem of France.
1. Hôtel Le Sauvage
The Place: A unique and deeply historic hotel housed in a magnificent and beautifully restored 16th-century former convent, nestled in a tranquil and green setting. The hotel is celebrated for its serene atmosphere and its magnificent historic architecture, including a beautiful and peaceful cloister. It offers a truly unique and deeply atmospheric escape for its guests.
My Top Pick: The magnificent and serene historic cloister, which serves as the beautiful and tranquil heart of the hotel, is a perfect spot for quiet contemplation.
1. Hôtel Le Sauvage: A Serene and Historic Convent Escape
The Place: A unique and deeply historic hotel, Le Sauvage is housed in a magnificent and beautifully restored 16th-century former convent of the Poor Clares, which is peacefully nestled in a tranquil and verdant setting at the foot of the citadel hill. The hotel is celebrated for its deeply serene and almost spiritual atmosphere and for its magnificent and beautifully preserved historic architecture, including a beautiful and peaceful original cloister. It offers a truly unique and deeply atmospheric escape for its guests.
My Top Pick: The magnificent and serene historic cloister, with its beautiful stone arches and its tranquil, contemplative atmosphere, serves as the beautiful and deeply peaceful heart of the hotel. It is a perfect spot for quiet reflection and relaxation.
Look my personal experience
2. Hôtel de Paris
The Place: A classic and elegant hotel with a fantastic location in the heart of the city, right next to the beautiful Doubs River. The hotel is known for its sophisticated, contemporary design that is housed within a charming, historic building. It provides a comfortable and deeply stylish base for exploring the city’s rich history and its beautiful surroundings.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s beautiful and serene wellness area, which features a hammam and a sauna, provides the perfect and most relaxing escape for its guests.
2. Hôtel de Paris: A Chic and Central Retreat
The Place: A classic and deeply elegant hotel, the Hôtel de Paris enjoys a fantastic and highly convenient location in the very heart of the city, right next to the beautiful and scenic Doubs River. The hotel is known for its sophisticated and chic contemporary interior design that is beautifully and tastefully housed within a charming and historic 19th-century building. It provides a comfortable and deeply stylish base for exploring the city’s rich history and its beautiful natural surroundings.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s beautiful and serene private wellness area is a true highlight of the property. It features a relaxing hammam (steam room) and a sauna, and it provides the perfect and most relaxing escape for its guests.
Look my personal experience
3. Mercure Besançon Parc Micaud
The Place: A modern and comfortable hotel with a magnificent and serene location, situated directly opposite the beautiful and expansive Parc Micaud on the banks of the Doubs River. The hotel is known for its tranquil atmosphere and its beautiful riverside setting. It offers a peaceful and deeply relaxing escape just a very short and pleasant walk away.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s magnificent and peaceful location, which allows for beautiful and serene walks along the beautiful riverbank and through the magnificent public park.
3. Mercure Besançon Parc Micaud: A Room with a Riverside View
The Place: A modern and very comfortable hotel, the Mercure Besançon Parc Micaud boasts a magnificent and deeply serene location, as it is situated directly opposite the beautiful and expansive Parc Micaud on the picturesque banks of the Doubs River. The hotel is known for its deeply tranquil atmosphere and for its beautiful and highly sought-after riverside setting. It offers a peaceful and deeply relaxing escape, just a very short and pleasant walk across the bridge from the historic city center.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s magnificent and peaceful location is its greatest asset. It allows for beautiful and serene walks along the beautiful and verdant riverbank and through the magnificent and historic 19th-century public park right on its doorstep.
Look my personal experience
4. Ibis Styles Besançon
The Place: A vibrant and contemporary hotel with a fantastic central location, perfect for exploring the city. The hotel is known for its colorful, modern design and its generous all-inclusive-style offer, which includes breakfast and Wi-Fi. It provides a comfortable, convenient, and excellent-value base for a fun and stylish city break for its guests.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s prime and unbeatable central location makes it incredibly easy to explore all of Besançon’s historic sights and excellent restaurants on foot.
4. Ibis Styles Besançon: Modern, Bright, and Central
The Place: A vibrant and highly contemporary hotel, the Ibis Styles enjoys a fantastic and highly central location, making it perfect for exploring the historic city of Besançon. The hotel is known for its colorful, fresh, and modern interior design and for its generous all-inclusive-style offer, which includes a buffet breakfast and unlimited Wi-Fi in the room rate. It provides a comfortable, convenient, and excellent-value base for a fun and stylish city break for its many guests.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s prime and unbeatable central location makes it incredibly easy and convenient to explore all of Besançon’s magnificent historic sights, its many museums, and its excellent and authentic restaurants entirely on foot from the doorstep.
Look my personal experience
5. Hôtel Le Victor Hugo & Spa
The Place: A new and incredibly stylish boutique hotel housed in a beautiful, historic Haussmann-style building. The hotel is celebrated for its magnificent and serene wellness spa, which is a true highlight of the property. It offers a sophisticated and deeply relaxing experience, with a chic, contemporary design that respects the building’s historic character and charm.
My Top Pick: The magnificent and very chic spa, which features a beautiful indoor swimming pool and a hammam, is a true oasis of wellness.</p
5. Hôtel Le Victor Hugo & Spa: A Haven of Wellness and Design
The Place: A new and incredibly stylish boutique hotel, Le Victor Hugo & Spa is housed in a beautiful and historic Haussmann-style building that has been completely and beautifully renovated. The hotel is celebrated for its magnificent and serene wellness spa, which is a true and undisputed highlight of the property. It offers a sophisticated and deeply relaxing experience, with a chic, contemporary interior design that beautifully respects the building’s historic and elegant character and charm.
My Top Pick: The magnificent and very chic spa is a true oasis of wellness and relaxation in the city. It features a beautiful and inviting indoor swimming pool with hydro-massage jets, a sauna, and a hammam for guests.
Look my personal experience
6. Hôtel de l’Horloge
The Place: A charming and elegant hotel with a fantastic location in the heart of the city’s historic center. The hotel is housed in a beautifully restored historic building and is known for its classic, sophisticated decor and its warm, welcoming hospitality. It offers a deeply comfortable and traditional experience with a strong and palpable sense of history.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s beautiful and classic facade and its elegant interiors provide a truly authentic and deeply charming French hotel experience for its guests.
6. Hôtel de l’Horloge: Classic Charm in the Heart of the City
The Place: A charming and deeply elegant hotel, the Hôtel de l’Horloge enjoys a fantastic and highly central location in the heart of the city’s beautiful and historic center. The hotel is housed in a beautifully restored historic building and is known for its classic, sophisticated decor, its warm, welcoming, and professional hospitality, and its palpable sense of history. It offers a deeply comfortable and traditional experience with a strong and palpable sense of classic French charm.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s beautiful and classic facade and its elegant and traditional interiors provide a truly authentic and deeply charming French hotel experience, making you feel as if you have stepped back into a more elegant and refined era.
Look my personal experience
7. Hotel Vauban
The Place: A classic and well-established hotel with an unbeatable central location, right in the heart of the city’s main commercial and cultural district. The hotel is known for its friendly, professional service and for providing a comfortable and highly convenient base. It is a perfect choice for travelers who want to be in the absolute heart of the city.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s fantastic and highly acclaimed brasserie is a true local institution, serving delicious and authentic traditional French cuisine in a lively atmosphere.
7. Hotel Vauban: A Local Institution with a Lively Brasserie
The Place: A classic and very well-established hotel, the Hotel Vauban boasts an unbeatable and highly central location, right in the heart of the city’s main commercial and cultural district, just a short walk from the Musée des Beaux-Arts. The hotel is known for its friendly, professional, and attentive service and for providing a comfortable and highly convenient base for exploring. It is a perfect choice for travelers who want to be in the absolute heart of the city’s daily life.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s fantastic and highly acclaimed on-site brasserie is a true and beloved local institution. It serves delicious and authentic traditional French cuisine in a lively, bustling, and deeply authentic atmosphere, which is always popular.
Look my personal experience
8. Zenitude Hôtel-Résidences La City
The Place: A modern and comfortable aparthotel offering a range of spacious and well-equipped studios, located in the heart of the city. The hotel provides a perfect home-away-from-home experience with the flexibility of self-catering facilities. It is an excellent choice for families or for travelers who are planning a longer stay in the beautiful city of Besançon.
My Top Pick: The convenience and flexibility of having a modern and well-equipped kitchenette allows for a truly independent and deeply comfortable stay in the city.
8. Zenitude Hôtel-Résidences La City: A Home Away from Home
The Place: A modern and very comfortable aparthotel, the Zenitude La City offers a wide range of spacious and very well-equipped studios, and it is conveniently located in the heart of the city. The hotel provides a perfect home-away-from-home experience with the flexibility and convenience of self-catering facilities. It is an excellent choice for families or for travelers who are planning a longer stay in the beautiful and historic city of Besançon for their holiday.
My Top Pick: The wonderful convenience and flexibility of having a modern and very well-equipped kitchenette in your room or studio allows for a truly independent, comfortable, and highly personalized stay in the heart of the beautiful city of Besançon.
Look my personal experience
9. Hôtel Siatel
The Place: A modern and functional hotel with a convenient location in the city’s main university district, offering a peaceful and practical base for visitors. The hotel is known for its friendly service, its comfortable rooms, and for providing excellent and consistent value. It is a great choice for travelers who are visiting the university or arriving by car.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s tranquil and quiet location provides a very peaceful and restorative night’s sleep, away from the main hustle and bustle of the city.
9. Hôtel Siatel: A Peaceful and Practical Retreat
The Place: A modern and functional hotel, the Hôtel Siatel enjoys a convenient location in the city’s main university district, offering a peaceful and practical base for visitors to the city. The hotel is known for its friendly, welcoming, and efficient service, its comfortable and modern rooms, and for providing excellent and consistent value for money. It is a great choice for travelers who are visiting the university or who are arriving by car, with easy parking.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s tranquil and quiet location, which is situated away from the main hustle and bustle of the city center, provides a very peaceful and deeply restorative night’s sleep for all of its many guests.
Look my personal experience
10. Ibis Besançon Centre Ville
The Place: A modern and reliable hotel with a fantastic location, situated on the beautiful banks of the Doubs River, just a short walk from the historic city center. The hotel is known for its contemporary design, its comfortable rooms, and its beautiful riverside setting. It provides a convenient and deeply scenic base for a great city break.
My Top Pick: The beautiful and serene views of the Doubs River and the historic city from the hotel’s privileged and highly sought-after river-facing rooms.
10. Ibis Besançon Centre Ville: A Room with a River View
The Place: A modern and reliable hotel, the Ibis Besançon Centre Ville boasts a fantastic and highly scenic location, as it is situated directly on the beautiful and peaceful banks of the Doubs River, just a short and very pleasant walk from the historic city center. The hotel is known for its clean, contemporary design, its comfortable and well-soundproofed rooms, and its beautiful and serene riverside setting. It provides a convenient and deeply scenic base for a great city break.
My Top Pick: The beautiful and serene views of the gently flowing Doubs River and the historic and magnificent city from the hotel’s privileged and highly sought-after river-facing rooms provide a wonderful and deeply relaxing perspective of the city.
Look my personal experience
Bonus: Château de Germigney
A magnificent and deeply romantic 18th-century château hotel, this spectacular Relais & Châteaux property is located in the beautiful Jura wine region, a scenic drive from Besançon. The hotel is a true sanctuary of gastronomy and tranquility, featuring a Michelin-starred restaurant, a magnificent park with ancient trees, and a stunning swimming pool, offering the ultimate in luxurious French countryside escapism.
Bonus: Château de Germigney, Relais & Châteaux
The Place: A magnificent and deeply romantic 18th-century château hotel, this spectacular Relais & Châteaux property is located in the beautiful and tranquil Jura wine region, a very scenic and pleasant drive away from the city of Besançon. The hotel is a true and undisputed sanctuary of French gastronomy and tranquility. It features a highly acclaimed Michelin-starred restaurant, a magnificent and historic park with ancient trees, and a stunning outdoor swimming pool, offering the ultimate in luxurious and peaceful French countryside escapism.
Look my personal experience
Expert’s Opinion: One to Choose?
Here’s our recommendation to help you choose the perfect luxury hotel in Besançon for your trip:
- For a unique, historic convent stay: The magnificent and deeply atmospheric Hôtel Le Sauvage is an unforgettable and tranquil choice.
- For a luxurious and modern wellness retreat: The stylish new Hôtel Le Victor Hugo & Spa offers the best spa facilities in the city.
- For a serene, riverside location: The beautiful Mercure Besançon Parc Micaud is perfect for peaceful walks along the Doubs.
- For a classic, central experience: The elegant and chic Hôtel de Paris is a sophisticated and highly convenient base.
Expert’s Opinion: One to Choose?
Here’s our recommendation to help you choose the perfect luxury hotel in Besançon for your trip:
- For a unique, historic convent stay: The magnificent and deeply atmospheric Hôtel Le Sauvage is an unforgettable and incredibly tranquil choice for those who love history and architecture.
- For a luxurious and modern wellness retreat: The stylish new Hôtel Le Victor Hugo & Spa, with its beautiful indoor swimming pool, offers the best and most comprehensive spa facilities in the city.
- For a serene, riverside location: The beautiful and peaceful Mercure Besançon Parc Micaud is perfectly situated for those who enjoy tranquil walks along the beautiful Doubs river and through the magnificent park.
- For a classic, central experience: The elegant and chic Hôtel de Paris is a sophisticated and highly convenient base for exploring the heart of the historic city and its many excellent restaurants.
Our search Hotels desgned just for you
Travel Guides: Besançon, France
A stay at a luxury hotel is the perfect start to your Besançon adventure. To make the most of your trip, here is a travel guide that complements the article on luxury hotels in Besançon.
1. Best Time to Visit Besançon
- Late Spring to Early Autumn (May-September): This is the absolute best time to visit Besançon. The weather is at its most pleasant and is perfect for exploring the magnificent citadel and for enjoying the beautiful and lush surrounding Jura countryside.
- Christmas Market: For a truly magical experience, visit in December for the city’s charming, traditional, and very atmospheric Christmas market, which is held in the main square of the city.
- Summer Festivals: The city has a lively and vibrant atmosphere during the summer, with many outdoor music festivals and cultural events taking place.
1. When to Go?
- Late Spring to Early Autumn (May-September): The best time to visit for pleasant weather, perfect for exploring the citadel and the beautiful surrounding Jura countryside.
- Christmas Market: Visit in December for the city’s charming and traditional Christmas market.
2. Getting Around Besançon
- Walking: The historic city center of Besançon, which is located within the famous ‘boucle’ (a natural loop) of the Doubs River, is very compact and a true and absolute joy to explore entirely on foot.
- Buses and Trams: A modern and highly efficient public transport system, consisting of both buses and trams, is very useful for reaching the main TGV train station and the areas outside the main city loop.
- Boat Trips: A boat trip on the Doubs river is a must, offering a unique perspective as it passes through a tunnel under the citadel.
2. Getting Around Besançon
- Walking: The historic center of Besançon, located within the ‘boucle’ (loop) of the Doubs River, is very compact and a true joy to explore on foot.
- Buses and Trams: A modern and efficient public transport system is useful for reaching the main train station and areas outside the city loop.
3. Must-See Sights
- Citadel of Besançon: A magnificent and vast 17th-century fortress that was designed by the legendary and famous military architect, Vauban. It is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site and offers breathtaking, panoramic views of the city and the river.
- Historic Old Town (La Boucle): Explore the charming and elegant streets of the old town, with its beautiful, pale stone buildings, its many historic squares, and its charming, hidden courtyards.
- Musée du Temps (Museum of Time): Discover the city’s rich and important history as the historic capital of French watchmaking. The museum is housed in the magnificent and historic Granvelle Palace.
- Quai Vauban: Stroll along the beautiful and historic riverside promenade, which is lined with magnificent and elegant 18th-century arcaded facades that were designed by Vauban himself.
3. Must-See Sights
- Citadel of Besançon: A magnificent and vast 17th-century fortress designed by the legendary military architect Vauban. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and offers breathtaking panoramic views.
- Historic Old Town (La Boucle): Explore the charming and elegant streets of the old town, with its beautiful stone buildings and historic squares.
- Musée du Temps (Museum of Time): Discover the city’s rich and important history as the capital of French watchmaking, housed in the magnificent Granvelle Palace.
- Quai Vauban: Stroll along the beautiful and historic riverside promenade, with its magnificent and elegant 18th-century arcaded facades.
4. Unique Experiences
- Explore the Citadel’s Museums: The magnificent and vast Citadel houses several excellent and diverse museums, including the fascinating Museum of the Resistance and Deportation and a very interesting Natural History Museum with a zoo.
- Discover Victor Hugo’s Birthplace: Visit the house where the famous and legendary author of ‘Les Misérables’ and ‘The Hunchback of Notre-Dame’ was born, located on the beautiful Place Victor Hugo.
- Enjoy the Local Cuisine: You absolutely must try the delicious and hearty regional specialties, such as the world-famous Comté cheese, the smoked Morteau sausage, and the unique and delicious local Jura wines.
- Take a Boat Trip on the Doubs: See the city and its magnificent and imposing citadel from a completely different and unique perspective by taking a relaxing and scenic boat tour on the river, which includes passing through a canal tunnel under the citadel.
4. Unique Experiences
- Explore the Citadel’s Museums: The Citadel houses several excellent museums, including the Museum of the Resistance and Deportation and a fascinating Natural History Museum.
- Discover Victor Hugo’s Birthplace: Visit the house where the famous author of ‘Les Misérables’ and ‘The Hunchback of Notre-Dame’ was born.
- Enjoy the Local Cuisine: You must try the delicious regional specialties, such as Comté cheese, Morteau sausage, and the local Jura wines.
- Take a Boat Trip on the Doubs: See the city and its magnificent citadel from a different perspective with a relaxing boat tour on the river.
https://voyagedeal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/besancon-luxury-hotel-guide.webp
Our search Hotels desgned just for you
