In the heart of Europe

The Franche-Comté occupies a strategic position  at the centre of Europe, and is thus a sort of 'meeting of the roads' or crossroads. Despite the mountain ranges and forests which shape the region it remains easily accessible sharing borders as it does with Switzerland along more than 230 kms.

A region of character

Bordering on the regions of the Rhône-Alpes, Burgundy, Champagne-Ardennes, Lorraine and Alsace it has the advantage of a rich diversity of soils and linked activities. The further advantage of an exceptional natural environment (water courses, lakes, mountains, forests) makes the Franche-Comté an attractive place to reside in.
In 2006 the population-count was of 1.146,000 inhabitants spread over 4 Departments:
The Doubs.
The Jura,
The Haute-Saône,
The Territory of Belfort.

Besançon, the regional capital, is 2 hrs.in and 40 mins. away from Paris by TGV (Express train).

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Density: 71 inhabitants per sq.km.
Surface area: 16.202 sq. kms.or 3 % of national territory.
Main cities: Besançon (120.000 inhabitants, Doubs Prefecture),Montbéliard (117.000 inhabitants),Vesoul (78.750 inhabitants, Haute-Saône Prefecture), Belfort (78.000 inhabitants, Territoire de Belfort Prefecture), Dole (31.000 inhabitants) and Lons-le-Saunier (18.500 inhabitants, Jura Prefecture).
Highest peak: Crêt-Pela, 1.495 metres high (in the Jura)
Rate of afforestation: 43.8% of the territory (or 713.800 hectares)

By road

Besançon/Strasbourg: 2 hrs 15 mins
Besançon/Bâle: 1 hr 30 mins
Besançon/Lyon: 2 hrs
Besançon/Paris: 4 hrs
Besançon/Dijon : 1 hr
Besançon/Genève: 2 hrs 15 mins
Besançon/Lausanne: 1 hr 40 mins
Besançon/Stuttgart: 3 hrs 45 mins