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Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

Besançon Cathedral (Saint-Jean Cathedral of Besançon)

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Places to see

France

Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

Besançon Cathedral (Saint-Jean Cathedral of Besançon)

Highlight • Religious Site

Besançon Cathedral (Saint-Jean Cathedral of Besançon)

Recommended by 54 hikers out of 55

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Location: Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France

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Best Hikes to Besançon Cathedral (Saint-Jean Cathedral of Besançon)

4.6

(18)

196

hikers

1. Vauban Citadel – Rivotte Gate loop from Besançon-Viotte

13.8km

03:48

210m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.9

(11)

hikers

2. Fort de Chaudanne – Rivotte Gate loop from Besançon-Mouillère

12km

03:41

360m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Moderate

5.0

(6)

hikers

3. Rivotte Gate – Montfaucon Viewpoint loop from Besançon-Mouillère

18.3km

05:21

440m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Hard

Tips

Scout Jens

June 5, 2024

The cathedral is located near the foot of Mont Saint-Étienne, below the citadel. On the east side of the cathedral is the Porte Rivotte gate, which was built in the 16th century and has two round towers and 19th century walkways. Nearby is the Porte Noire, a Roman triumphal arch from the 2nd century decorated with numerous sculptures.

The cathedral, built between the 11th and 13th centuries, is a basilica with a wide central nave and two narrower side aisles. In the 18th century, large parts, especially the western part, were renovated after a landslide. The tower is also baroque.
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathedrale_von_Besan%C3%A7on

Translated by Google •

Ein 🐟 namens Wander

August 12, 2024

The Saint-Jean Cathedral, dating from the 12th and 18th centuries, has the particularity of having two apses: the Romanesque choir and the richly decorated counter-choir from the 18th century. Among the valuable furnishings, the round altar in white marble, the only example of its kind in France, or the painting "The Virgin and the Saints" painted by Fra Bartolomeo in 1512, stand out.
Through the rear entrance, for a fee, you can visit the famous astronomical clock with its complicated mechanism, whose numerous animated figures evoke the resurrection of Christ.
besancon-tourisme.com/fr

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oscargynko

July 25, 2025

I don't know if I liked it more inside or outside.

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Details

Informations

Elevation 270 m

Weather

Friday 19 December

14°C

9°C

82 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 6.0 km/h

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See hikes here

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Location: Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France

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Besançon Cathedral (Saint-Jean Cathedral of Besançon)

1. Vauban Citadel – Rivotte Gate loop from Besançon-Viotte

2. Fort de Chaudanne – Rivotte Gate loop from Besançon-Mouillère

3. Rivotte Gate – Montfaucon Viewpoint loop from Besançon-Mouillère

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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