Get lots more information about chateaux and places to stay in Bourgogne-Franche-Comte at the tourist office website: en.bourgognefranchecomte.com
Citadel of Besanson, Jura
The immense Citadel of Besancon deserves far more space than we have here, but it would be impossible to mention Jura and not mention this huge, astonishing fort. (You can expect a whole article devoted to the subject in the near future!).
When I entered through the huge arch of the vast masterpiece built by Louis XIV's military engineer Vauban, crows cawed and the sound echoed all around. The last thing I expected to see as I walked over a bridge to the inner area was baboons and goats running around, but there they were, capering about on the hill the citadel sits on. I'm told they're retired from zoos and can't get out!
The Citadel is so high you feel as though you're in the clouds, especially if it's a misty day as it was when I was there.
Inside this UNESCO listed monument which covers a massive 12 hectares, are museums, an aquarium, insectarium, noctarium, farm and rooms with exhibits and showing film, walkways in the sky and a whole lot more. You could easily spend an entire day here if you want to see everything.
And always, there are the views, extraordinary from this vantage point 100m above the old town.
Open from February to December.