Besancon City Map Poster

About Besancon

The historical center of the city has been registered since July 4, 2015 as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The earliest archaeological finds within the city limits of Besançon date to the Neolithic period. Human settlement in this area is believed to date from 10,000 BC or earlier; an important Bronze Age settlement was at nearby Rigney and dates from roughly 2000 BC. The foundation of Vesontio (the modern name for Besançon) is attributed to either Celts during their migrations before settling in Gaul or possibly early Gallic Greeks influenced by trade with Massilia (Marseille). During its 3rd century B.C., occupation on Mont Beuvray expanded and covered all sides around it including Sainte-Apolline which was discovered by archaeologists only recently but whose presence had already been suspected due to a Christian symbol carved into one of its stones that can be seen today near what used to be called "Porte de France".