4 Forts to Explore in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

A simple fortified house built in the twelfth century by Renaudin lord of Bussy in a wooded valley near the archaeological site of Alesia. Historical Monument in 1862, it is owned by the state since 1929 and the building is managed by the National Monuments Center. Further restoration of the building has been carried out since the 1970s.

The Château de Châteauneuf, also known as the Château de Châteauneuf-en-Auxois, is a 15th-century fortress in the commune of Châteauneuf, 43 km from Dijon, in the Côte-d'Or département of France. It is a vast stone building, 75 metres in length and 35 metres broad, situated on a rocky outcrop 475 metres above the surrounding plains. It dominates the valley of Canal de Bourgogne.

The Chateau de Joux is one of the most impressive and interesting castles to visit in the Franche-Comté region. The chateau is also known as the Fort de Joux. It served as a prison for successive French governments between the 17th and the 19th centuries. In that capacity, the château is best known as the site of imprisonment for so many leaders.

One of Vauban’s masterpieces registered as a UNESCO world heritage site, remarkable example of the 17th century military architecture covering nearly 12 hectares, the Citadel of Besançon is considered one of the most beautiful fortress in France. As it surely rose to be the first unique, cultural and touristic site in the central-eastern part of France, the Citadel houses no less than three museums certified “Musées de France” nowadays: the Museum of Resistance and Deportation, the Museum of Fra