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France
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

Citadel of Besançon – The Doubs loop from Besançon

Routes
Running trails & routes
France
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

Citadel of Besançon – The Doubs loop from Besançon

Moderate

4.7

(10)

551

runners

Citadel of Besançon – The Doubs loop from Besançon

00:53

8.17km

110m

Running

Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Waypoints

A

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

1

2.55 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

2

3.48 km

Parc de la gare d'Eau

Highlight • Lake

The Gare-d'Eau is a sector of Besançon city center that was once a port for goods and later for entertainment. Today it consists of the gardens of the Gare-d'Eau, a large green space along the Doubs, although the basin that served as a nautical stop still exists. By extension, the Bisontines also refer to the Avenue de la Gare-d'Eau and generally the northeastern quays up to the Rivotte sector as part of this sector.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

3

3.92 km

Chamars Urban Fitness Area

Highlight • Rest Area

4

6.30 km

Citadel of Besançon

Highlight • Castle

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, who is known for his fortifications. 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. Its design reflects Vauban's innovative approaches at the time.
UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Citadelle de Besançon is part of the "Fortifications of Vauban", which were recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2008. This group of fortifications spread across France bears witness to Vauban's military designs. Within the Citadelle 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 of the city of Besançon and the surrounding valley. It is a popular tourist destination for its historical importance, architectural splendor, and panoramic views.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

5

7.30 km

The Doubs

Highlight • River

In addition to its interest for navigation, the lock of Velotte deserves to linger there a little for its ornithological potential.

Indeed, the lock is a landmark for gray herons and cormorants. And if you take the time you may also see the blue and orange reflections of kingfishers swirling around the Doubs river.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

6

7.34 km

Velotte lock

Highlight • Other

In addition to its interest for navigation, the lock of Velotte deserves to linger there a little for its ornithological potential.

Indeed, the lock is a landmark for gray herons and cormorants. And if you take the time, you may also see the blue and orange reflections of kingfishers swirling along the Doubs river.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

B

8.17 km

End point

Bus stop

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Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

3.13 km

2.89 km

1.69 km

258 m

166 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

6.12 km

1.37 km

353 m

179 m

103 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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Tuesday 28 July

38°C

18°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 18.0 km/h

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