Vauban Citadel – Porte Noire (Black Gate) loop from Besançon-Viotte

Hiking trails & Routes

France

Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

Vauban Citadel – Porte Noire (Black Gate) loop from Besançon-Viotte

Moderate

4.7

(20)

147

hikers

Vauban Citadel – Porte Noire (Black Gate) loop from Besançon-Viotte

03:38

13.1km

210m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily walkable paths. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 20, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

923 m

Battant Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

It is the most famous bridge in the city. This bridge which spans the Doubs was built in Roman times. Today the bridge has been rehabilitated and it accommodates the tramway.

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Tip by

5.01 km

By passing the first gate, you can discover a beautiful green esplanade, and beautiful views of Besançon.
This first access is free and therefore allows you to enter and appreciate the Citadel from the inside.
To go further you must buy a ticket which gives access to several museums.

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5.47 km

Porte Noire (Black Gate)

Highlight • Monument

Triumphal Arch: La Porte Noire is a Roman triumphal arch, similar to the Arch of Constantine in Rome. It is considered one of the best preserved Roman triumphal arches in France.
Dating: The construction of La Porte Noire dates back to the 2nd century AD, during the reign of the Roman Emperor Caracalla.
Architecture: The triumphal arch is made of sandstone and has an impressive design. It is believed that it was originally decorated with statues and reliefs, but many of these decorative elements have disappeared over time.
Name: The name "Porte Noire" comes from the dark color of the stones used in the arch.
Historical significance: La Porte Noire testifies to the Roman presence in ancient Besançon, then called Vesontio. It is a tangible reminder of the city's rich history as an important Roman stronghold.

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8.89 km

Riverside Promenade by the City Walls

Highlight • Trail

Very spacious promenade where the lawn is used for picnics.

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9.90 km

Citadel Canal Tunnel

Highlight (Segment) • Bridge

The tunnel is part of the complex system of waterways that cross the city and is designed to allow ships to pass through the city without having to pass through the city center. It provides an underground passage for boats, bicycles and pedestrians. There is a parallel tunnel for car traffic.

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10.8 km

Rivotte Gate

Highlight • Monument

A remnant of the 16th century fortification. After the French victory, Louis XIV had the pediment decorated with a symbolic sun. The rock of the citadel rises above the Porte Rivotte with its steep walls, which used to plunge into the river, and with the narrow strip along which one can go up or down. Two tunnels through the rocks (one for road traffic, the other for ships and pedestrians) allow you to avoid the bend of the doubs.

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11.5 km

Saint-Maurice Church

Highlight • Religious Site

The church of Saint-Maurice, founded in the 6th century, was rebuilt from 1711 to 1714 and has a Jesuit-style façade with a carillon perched on it.

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Tip by

12.1 km

Pont Battant in Besançon

Highlight • Bridge

An ideal place for a stroll at sunset.

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13.1 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

7.32 km

4.43 km

1.13 km

211 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

7.20 km

5.32 km

351 m

176 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (360 m)

Lowest point (240 m)

Weather

Monday 9 November

18°C

11°C

57 %

Additional weather tips

There’s a fairly high chance of rain. Consider packing a waterproof jacket.

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

December 29, 2024,Rundtour durch Besancon bei klirrender Kälte 🥶❄️🥾

Since the weather forecast was not particularly good, we want to take a look at Besancon. The citadel in particular is said to be very worth seeing.
No sooner said than done.
The town center is pretty and the fortress impressive. There is a small zoo in the citadel itself, but many of the residents are in well-earned hibernation.

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August 11, 2024,FR Franche-Comté | Rundgang durch Besançon

Yesterday we moved to our new holiday home in Besançon, travelling in traffic from one holiday home to another and then only having a short time to stroll through the city.
We then did our actual city tour today - but because of the temperatures we were more in stroll mode. We only roughly stuck to our pre-planned route and …

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