Explore Bourgogne-Franche-Comté: Eastern France’s hidden gem
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (BFC), one of the new regions formed in the 2016 territorial reform, brings together the rich histories of the former Bourgogne and Franche-Comté regions. The Duché de Bourgogne was annexed to the French Crown in the late 15th century, followed by the Comté de Bourgogne, two centuries later. Although Bourgogne and Comté were distinct entities with separate capitals until their merger, their combined legacy creates a region steeped in tradition and natural beauty.
Region Overview:
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté spans 8 diverse departments: Côte d’Or (21 – Dijon), Doubs (25 – Besancon), Haute-Saône (70 – Vesoul), Jura (39 – Lons-le-Saunier), Nièvre (58 – Nevers), Saône-et-Loire (71 – Mâcon), Territoire de Belfort (90 – Belfort) and Yonne (89 – Auxerre).
Dijon serves as the administrative hub and prefecture of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, while Besançon is the headquarters of the regional council.
Geographical Highlights:
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté is the 6th largest region in France, nestled between the Grand-Est and Ile-de-France regions to the north, Centre to the west, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes to the south, and sharing a border with Switzerland to the east.
The region features three stunning mountain ranges:
- Vosges Mountains: Stretching into the northeast, with the highest peak being the Ballon d’Alsace at 1,247 meters.
- Jura Mountains: Dominated by the Crêt Pela, the tallest peak in the region at 1,495 meters.
- Morvan Mountains: Located to the west, with the Haut Folin reaching a modest 901 meters.
Climate and Seasons:
Thanks to its altitude and inland location, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté experiences a continental climate. Expect hot summers, long and cold winters, and mild, sunny springs and autumns.
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté: A land of water and industry
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté is a region deeply intertwined with its waterways. The Saône and Doubs rivers, along with an extensive network of canals, traverse the region, while the River Seine begins its journey on the Plateau de Langres in the Côte-d’Or department.
The region is dotted with stunning lakes, including the Lac de Saint-Point, the third-largest natural lake in France, and Lac de Vouglans, the third-largest man-made lake, holding 605 million cubic meters of water. Nature thrives here, with several protected reserves and three regional nature parks: Morvan, Ballon des Vosges, and Haut-Jura, each preserving the region’s unique flora and fauna.
Historically, coal mining was a major industry until the latter half of the 20th century. Today, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté has shifted its focus to exporting car parts, steel, electrical equipment, and beverages.
Industrial powerhouses:
- Peugeot-Citroën in Sochaux is the largest industrial site in France, with the PSA plant in Vesoul also contributing to the region’s industrial prowess. Notably, the Peugeot family hails from Franche-Comté.
- Bel Group: Known for its dairy products like Babybel and La Vache qui Rit.
- Alstom: With factories in Belfort.
- Areva: With operations at Creusot-Forge and two additional factories in Chalon-sur-Saône.
- Industeel (ArcelorMittal), Thermodyn (General Electric), and Snecma (Safran) in Le Creusot.
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté: A thriving hub of agriculture, tourism, and industry
Agriculture plays a significant role in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté’s economy. The region is renowned for its Charolais cattle, known for high-quality beef, and its diverse range of AOC cheeses like Chaource, Comté, and Morbier. Poultry, particularly the famous volaille de Bresse, is another key product, alongside forestry and cereal production. The region’s vineyards are world-famous, with Bourgogne’s prestigious Hospices de Beaune and the Jura’s exceptional offerings standing out.
Tourism has flourished since the 2016 regional merger, drawing a significant international audience. Bourgogne-Franche-Comté boasts several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including: Fontenay Abbey; Vézelay basilica; Notre-Dame-du-Haut chapel in Ronchamp; Besançon citadel; the Dukes of Bourgogne’s palace; the climates of the Bourgogne vineyards; the saltworks of Arc-et-Senans and Salins-les-Bains; the prehistoric sites of Clairvaux and Chalain lakes, and finally Notre-Dame priory of La-Charité-sur-Loire and the church of Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur d’Asquins, part of the Way of Saint-James.
Geographical Advantage: Bourgogne-Franche-Comté’s strategic location connects Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Ile-de-France, the Benelux countries, and the Mediterranean, making it a vital economic hub.
Transport Links: The A6 motorway, known as the ‘Autoroute du Soleil’, runs from northwest to southeast, linking Paris to Lyon. The region is also accessible via two airports: Dijon-Burgundy and Dole-Jura.
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté’s blend of agricultural excellence, rich heritage, and strategic location makes it a key player on both the French and European stages. It is served by two airports: Dijon-Burgundy and Dole-Jura.
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté in numbers:
Area: 47,784 km2
Population: 2,816,814 (2012)
