The Doubs River weaves its way around Besancon, population 130,000. Looking to the left I see this view. At the far end on the left bank stands a medieval watch tower.
Looking to the right I see this view.
Besancon's town hall.
Up the hillside you can see part of Citadel Besancon's formidable walls. That's why I'm here.
Built in the 16th century, Porte Rivotte is the last remaining medieval entrance gate to the city.
Heading up to the citadel you pass through a Gallo-Roman triumphal arch which dates back to the second century. On the other side of the arch you can see the dome of Besancon Cathedral.
I've written many times about the French military engineer Vauban (1633-1707). He was a superstar. Over his lifetime Vauban oversaw the building and rebuilding of over 300 fortifications. His full name was Sebastien Le Prestrede de Vauban. To reach the citadel one has to pass through several entrance points. Here's the first.
To go from the first entrance to the second you pass over a moat--which by the way contains monkeys. More on this later.
This is the second entrance--over another deep moat.
View toward city as you keep going up.
The citadel covers 27 acres.
Built between 1678-1771, it's been designated a UNESCO Heritage site.
View toward city and the Doubs River.
A complete walk around the ramparts (walls) will add up to one mile.
The Germans occupied the place between 1941-1944. One hundred resistance fighters were sentenced to death by a German military court and were executed here.
The city acquired the citadel in 1958 and it now houses three museums along with a zoo. Here you can see several of the bird enclosures.
Citadel means fortress but, also means "little city". If a citadel came under attack or an enemy laid siege----it had to be self-sufficient. Three things were most important: having water, ammunition and, food. This is the room where grain was crushed to be used in the making of bread.
Two horses walked around to power the wheel.
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