Franche-Comté

Between the Vosges and the Jura, Franche-Comté is one of those regions where the living – and the natural surroundings – are second-to-none.

Franche-Comté is a land of water, forests of pine and spruce and unspoilt wide open spaces – the Haut Jura and Ballons des Vosges regional nature reserves are perfect examples. It's also the setting for a large number of open-air activities, winter sports, water sports or aerial pursuits… The environment is unstinting, and men have accepted its gifts and created remarkable products: Comté cheeses, charcuterie from the traditional farms, Jura wines and more… Franche-Comté is the historic crossroads of a long list of influences, as seen in the character of its towns and the weight of its cultural heritage: Saline Royale in Arc-et-Senans, a masterpiece of industrial architecture from the Enlightenment, included on the Unesco World Heritage list; the Chapelle de Ronchamp by Le Corbusier, with its modern architecture; the Vauban's major military constructions at Besançon, Salins or Belfort – to say nothing of the many châteaux, churches and abbeys…

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