Numerous unusual sites well worth exploring are tucked away around the region. Original buildings and improbable geological phenomena await to surprise visitors in quest of the unexpected.
Fondremand (Haute-Saône) is an old village steeped in history counting roughly 200 inhabitants. It is here that the river Romaine rises. With its historical church, château, dungeon, ramparts and century old dwelling houses, it is visited by more than 20 000 people each year on the occasion of the traditional craft fair.
La Grotte d'Osselle (Doubs) is one of the oldest known caves and also one of the world's largest necropolises of the cave-bear, with more than 2 000 skeletons. There are 1 300 metres of gallery open to the public, where one can view the crystalizations and colourations of this natural decor.
Lods (Doubs) is an old village of wine-growers and blacksmiths classed among the most beautiful villages in France. Its museum dedicated to the vine and wine, the river Loue and the sloping streets of Lods make it an attractive place to stroll about in.
Métabief (Doubs) is a winter sports resort where cross-country skiing is particularly popular, with the possibility of mountain-biking in summer. A large leisure centre with activities to suit every member of the family.
Le Palais Granvelle (Doubs). This building was erected in the 16th century in Besançon by Nicolas Perrenot de Granvelle, right-hand man of the German emperor, Overlord of the Comté, Charles V. Its elegance is appreciable as is its « Musée du Temps » (Museum of Time) a souvenir of the region's clock industry. Numerous cultural events are held here.
The Chemist's of the Hôpital Saint-Jacques (Doubs) in Besançon is an apothecary's set up towards 1680 by Gabriel Gascon. Formerly, potions and pills were prepared here, and the chemist shop conserves its sumptuous decor: wood-panelling, gilt-finishings, paintings, porcelain mantelpiece and shelves belonging to the late 17th century.
The P.S.A. factory Peugeot-Citroën (Doubs). One of Europe's most modern car-factories can be found right in the centre of the urban development of Sochaux-Montbéliard, first industrial site in France with the added interest of the Peugeot museum located there.
Les Reculées de Baume-les-Messieurs (Jura) are short valleys bordered by high cliffs where one can come upon all sorts of hidden grottos, waterfalls and underground rivers. Off the beaten track they are home to an extremely rich flora and fauna.
Les Rousses (Jura), located at an altitude of 1 100 metres, it is the biggest ski-resort in the Jura. A huge fort is likewise to be found here in the middle of the natural reserve of the Haut-Jura. Built originally for military purposes, it has been transformed into an amusement park and is also used as a cellar for the maturing of cheese.
L’Epicerie Perello (Territory of Belfort), a historical monument founded in Belfort in 1825 which has conserved its original interior design and baroque decoration. The grocer has maintained the tradition of the original packagings and all kind of teas and coffees can be purchased here.
The Lion of Belfort (Territory of Belfort) is a sculpture by Frédéric Bartholdi. It is 22 metres long and 11 metres high. It is constituted of blocks of pink sandstone sculpted separately and then transported beneath the château of Belfort to be assembled there. The Lion symbolizes Belfort's heroic resistance under Colonel Denfert-Rochereau when the town was besieged by the Prussian army in 1870 for 103 days.
