Guided river cruise
La boucle du Doubs, deux écluses et le tunnel sous la Citadelle, commentés à bord du Battant.
from 15 €
Book online
Besançon open-top bus tour
Le seul bus décapotable de Besançon, sur la Grande Boucle de 10 km.
- Seul bus touristique décapotable de Besançon
- Commentaire en français diffusé dans les haut-parleurs du bus
- Audioguide multilingue sur votre smartphone : QR code à l'entrée, prévoyez vos écouteurs
- En juillet et août, mêmes horaires que la croisière
- Départ à moins d'une minute à pied de l'embarcadère
The route
- Départ du Centre Saint-Pierre, avenue Gaulard
- Passage devant La Rodia et le port de plaisance
- Le funiculaire de Bregille et l'ancien établissement thermal de Besançon-les-Bains
- La synagogue, puis la traversée du quartier Battant et son église
- Vue sur les collines qui entourent Besançon
- Le cœur historique : théâtre Ledoux, rue des Granges, ancien hôpital Saint-Jacques et sa porte en fer forgé
- Retour au Centre Saint-Pierre
See Besançon in the open air aboard the city’s only convertible sightseeing bus. This 30 seat panoramic cabriolet takes you around the Grande Boucle, a 10 km circuit covering the city’s landmark sites in 45 minutes, with no walking, no parking and nothing between you and the view.
Why take the sightseeing bus in Besançon?
With the roof open, the whole city unfolds above you: the facades of the old town, the banks of the Doubs river and its famous loop, the Battant district and the Vauban fortifications, including the Citadel listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is an easy way to get your bearings on a first visit, spot the places you want to come back to on foot and take photos without craning through a window. The commentary played on board is in French, but international visitors can download an audioguide in English, German, Spanish and Italian and follow the whole tour in their own language.
Where and when does the bus leave?
Departures are from Centre Saint-Pierre on avenue Gaulard, in the heart of Besançon, just 100 metres from the cruise pier at Pont de la République: ideal if you want to combine boat and bus on the same day. The bus runs from May to September, with a first departure at 10:00 and a last one at 18:00, roughly every hour and a half. Tickets are sold online or on site, which guarantees your seat: with only 30 places, departures fill up quickly in high season.
An easy outing for families and groups
The 45 minute format works well with children: long enough to see the highlights, short enough to hold their attention. Toddlers travelling on an adult’s lap ride for free, and duo and family deals are available online. Groups are welcome too: the bus can be privatised for 20 people or more, for a company event, a celebration or a club outing. If you are wondering what to do in Besançon in half a day, pairing the panoramic bus with a stroll through the loop of the Doubs is an excellent introduction to the city.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Besançon sightseeing bus depart from?
The convertible bus departs from Centre Saint-Pierre on avenue Gaulard, in the city centre. The stop is only 100 metres from the cruise pier at Pont de la République. Local buses L5, 20, 21 and 22 serve the Centre Saint-Pierre stop.
How long is the bus tour of Besançon?
The Grande Boucle circuit lasts 45 minutes and covers 10 km past the city's landmark sites. It is a short format that suits families and visitors on a tight schedule.
When does the sightseeing bus run?
The bus operates from May to September. The first departure is at 10:00 and the last at 18:00, with a departure roughly every hour and a half.
Can I buy a bus ticket on the spot?
Yes, you can buy your ticket on site, subject to availability. The bus seats only 30 people, so booking online is strongly advised to secure your place.
Is the bus tour available in English?
The on-board commentary is in French. For other languages (English, German, Spanish, Italian), scan the QR code at the bus entrance and follow the guided tour on your smartphone. Remember to bring your earphones.
Is the bus really open-topped?
Yes, it is the only convertible sightseeing bus in Besançon. The open roof gives an unobstructed panoramic view of the monuments and fortifications along the whole route.
Do young children pay for the bus tour?
Children travelling on an adult's lap ride for free. A child fare applies from 4 to 16 years old.
Are there family deals on the sightseeing bus?
Yes, online offers include 26 € instead of 28 € for two adults, 36 € instead of 38 € for two adults and one child, and 45 € instead of 48 € for two adults and two children.
Can the panoramic bus be privatised?
Yes, the bus can be privatised for groups of 20 people or more, for example for a company event or a celebration. Call +33 6 64 48 66 80 to discuss your project.
Can I combine the bus tour with the river cruise?
Yes, a boat + bus pass is sold online at 25 € instead of 29 €. The two departure points are only 100 metres apart and you can do the two activities in whichever order you prefer.
What do you see from the sightseeing bus?
The bus leaves from Centre Saint-Pierre on avenue Gaulard, passes La Rodia and the marina, the Bregille funicular and the former Besançon-les-Bains spa. It then runs past the synagogue, crosses the Battant district and its church, opens onto the hills that ring the city, and reaches the historic centre: the Ledoux theatre, rue des Granges, the former Saint-Jacques hospital and its wrought-iron gate, before returning to Centre Saint-Pierre.
Do children under 4 need a ticket?
No. The cruise and the bus are free for children under 4, and no ticket is needed: simply bring them along at boarding.
Does the bus run at the same times as the boat?
In July and August, yes: the bus departs at the same times as the cruise, and the two departure points are less than a minute's walk apart, so you can easily do both with the pass. In April, May, June and September the bus runs less often than the boat: the booking calendar is authoritative.
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