Franche-Comté
Franche-Comté, an administrative region from 1986 to 2015, merged with Burgundy to form Bourgogne-Franche-Comté as part of a territorial reform that came into effect on January 1, 2016.
It comprises four departments:
Doubs (25 – Besançon), Jura (39 – Lons-le-Saunier), Haute-Saône (70 – Vésoul), and Territoire de Belfort (90 – Belfort).
Its capital, or préfecture, is Besançon.
The Germanic Burgundian tribe invaded the region at the end of the 5th century, and in 534 AD, the Franks annexed their territory to their newly founded Kingdom of France. Under Charlemagne’s Holy Roman Empire, the region was part of the County of Burgundy, officially created by the Treaty of Verdun in 843 AD. The name “Franche” likely derives from the tax exemption the region enjoyed under the Holy Roman Empire.
In 1478, the County of Burgundy officially became Franche-Comté. France annexed Franche-Comté in 1678, and during the French Revolution, the province was divided into three departments: Doubs, Jura, and Haute-Saône.
Landscapes and economy
Franche-Comté offers a great diversity of landscapes, with the Jura Mountains to the south and the Vosges Mountains to the north. To the west, two plateaus slope down towards the Doubs and Saône valleys.
With its vast fir forests covering 705,000 hectares, or 43% of the territory, Franche-Comté is home to the largest fir forest in Europe. Norway spruce and silver fir are emblematic trees of the Jura Mountains, while the extensive beech and oak forests constitute the second largest broadleaf forest in France. The region is thus the second most wooded in France.
The regional industrial sector is dynamic, with major players like Peugeot and Alstom making significant contributions to the regional GDP. In agriculture, livestock farming, cereal and oil-seed cultivation, as well as cheese production (with four AOC varieties), are the pillars of the local economy. Franche-Comté is also renowned for its wines, being the only French region to produce five different types: red, white, rosé, yellow and straw or raisin wines.
Tourism
Franche-Comté enjoys a continental climate due to its landlocked location, characterised by hot summers and long, cold winters, especially at higher altitudes. Spring and autumn are mild and sunny. Tourism is diverse, with activities ranging from cross-country skiing in winter to hiking, as well as road and mountain cycling in summer.
The region is home to several regional natural parks, including the Ballon des Vosges and the Haut-Jura, as well as peaks such as the Ballon d’Alsace and Mont d’Or, numerous lakes like Saint-Point, Vouglans, and the Plateau des Mille Étangs, and many natural caves. A border region, it is dotted with defensive forts such as the Fort de Joux, the Fort de Belfort, and the Citadel of Besançon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Architectural gems such as the Ronchamp Chapel and the Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans further enrich the region’s cultural landscape. These are just a few examples of the cultural and architectural treasures that await you to Franche-Comté.
How to get there?
By bus: Franche-Comté’s bus network provides connections to neighbouring towns and villages. Local and regional networks ensure travel within urban areas, while long-distance coach services allow you to reach other regions of France and beyond.
Franche-Comté’s strategic location, at the crossroads of French-speaking Switzerland, Germany, and Italy, makes it easily accessible:
- By Air: The region is served by several airports, including EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, Dole-Jura Airport, and Besançon-Frasne Airport. These airports offer domestic and international flights, facilitating access to Franche-Comté
- By Train: Franche-Comté is accessible by train via the SNCF (French National Railways). The region has been part of the Rhine-Rhône high-speed rail line (LGV) since 2011 and is served by several major stations, notably Besançon-Viotte, Belfort-Montbéliard TGV, and Dole-Ville. TGV trains connect the main cities of France, making travel to Franche-Comté quick and convenient.
- By Car: Franche-Comté is easily accessible by car, thanks to a well-maintained road and motorway network that connects it to neighbouring regions. Major highways such as the A36 and A39 provide access to Franche-Comté from the rest of France and Europe. In addition, scenic routes offer magnificent drives through the region’s diverse landscapes.
- By Bus: The bus network provides connections to neighbouring towns and villages. Local and regional networks ensure travel within urban areas, while long-distance coach services allow you to reach other regions of France and beyond.
Area: 6 202 km²
Population: 1 177 906 (2013)
Photo via Wikimedia commons: Lac a la Dame and Header by Pmau CC BY-SA 4.0
