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Routes
Road cycling routes
France
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
Besançon
Montferrand-Le-Château

Citadel of Besançon – Thoraise Tunnel loop from Montferrand - Thoraise

Routes
Road cycling routes
France
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
Besançon
Montferrand-Le-Château

Citadel of Besançon – Thoraise Tunnel loop from Montferrand - Thoraise

Easy

4.8

(8)

351

riders

Citadel of Besançon – Thoraise Tunnel loop from Montferrand - Thoraise

01:25

31.0km

300m

Road cycling

Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: June 19, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment that goes up or down a series of steps

You may need to carry your bike.

After 14.0 km for 10 m

Waypoints

A

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

1

5.69 km

Saint Vincent Church

Highlight • Religious Site

Church dating from 1830, listed as a Historic Monument since 1998, with its so-called imperial tin dome. You can notably admire its freestone porch bell tower.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

2

14.1 km

Citadel Tunnel

Highlight • Structure

The Besançon canal tunnel, opened in 1882, allows the Rhône-Rhine canal to pass under the citadel and the old town. The old towpath has been converted into a cycle path.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

3

14.2 km

Citadel of Besançon

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Citadelle de Besançon is an impressive fortress located on Mont Saint-Étienne, high above the city of Besançon.
Construction of the Citadelle began in 1668 under the direction of the French military engineer Vauban, known for his defense works. The fortress served as an important military stronghold and played a crucial role in the defense of France's eastern borders.
The Citadelle is a masterpiece of military architecture, with bastions, ramparts, underground tunnels and other defenses. The design reflects Vauban's innovative approaches at the time.
UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Citadelle de Besançon is part of the "Fortifications of Vauban", recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2008. This group of fortifications spread across France testifies to Vauban's military designs.
Within the Citadelle there are several museums and attractions, including the Museum of French Resistance and Deportation, the Comtois Museum which highlights regional history, and the Besançon Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in France.
The Citadelle offers breathtaking views over the city of Besançon and the surrounding valley. It is a popular destination for tourists due to its historical importance, architectural splendor and panoramic views.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

4

14.7 km

Besançon Citadel River Tunnel

Highlight • Structure

The ship tunnel in Besançon is a special tunnel, specially designed for the transport of ships. The tunnel is located under the city and runs through the hill of the citadel of Besançon. It is one of the few tunnels in the world suitable for shipping and is approximately 1.6 kilometers long. The tunnel was built between 1879 and 1881 and is part of the Canal de Bourgogne, a waterway that connects the Yonne and Saône rivers. The tunnel is an important connection for shipping in the region and also attracts many tourists due to its unique character.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

5

20.1 km

Lock 53

Highlight • Other

very pretty

Translated by Google •

Tip by

6

28.7 km

Thoraise Tunnel

Highlight • Historical Site

The breakthrough of Thoraise is a canal that saves 4km of navigation on the Doubs. Provided you have a small boat.
On the upstream side, pay attention to the curtain of water covering the entrance to the tunnel.
On the downstream side, at the exit you will find a lock which will allow you to join the main Rhine-Rhône canal.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

B

31.0 km

End point

Train Station

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Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

15.0 km

13.8 km

2.19 km

< 100 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

28.8 km

2.09 km

< 100 m

< 100 m

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Elevation

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

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Weather

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Today

Tuesday 23 June

37°C

21°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 17.0 km/h

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