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Motorhoming in Doubs
In the east of the region of Franche Comté, Doubs is known as the department of blue and green and owes this reputation to its wide open spaces, its mountains and forests and its lakes. If you’re a fan of outdoor sports, Doubs is an excellent destination, be it summer or winter, to include in your motorhome travel in France. If you have decided on hiring a motorhome in England or hiring a motorhome in France, Doubs offers walking, mountain biking, climbing, pot-holing, ski-ing and even dog-sledging!
While motorhoming in Franche Comté, visit its capital, Besançon, in Doubs, which is watched over by its magnificent citadel. Originally chosen for the site of a Pagan temple in Roman times, this hill top, 118m above the River Doubs was fortified around 1674. This impressive citadel is not only of interest in its own right but also offers a superb view over Besançon and is part of the town’s character. With a history dating back to Roman times, Besançon is a delightful place to wander and to take in the buzzing atmosphere of its animated squares, picturesque streets, its monuments and fountains and its charming residences. There are various museums for a more in depth look at this town which was the capital of French watch-making between 1793 and the 1920’s.
Montbéliard at the northern limit of Doubs is a town steeped in German influences and has its own rich and very particular heritage. It is dominated by the Château of the Dukes of Wurtemburg which is surrounded by several little ‘villages’ which are mostly pedestrianised and can be appreciated easily by strolling through its medieval quarters with their colourful ancient houses echoing German tradition in the 16th and 17th centuries. Christmas is a magical time to visit the town when the German ‘feel’ and tradition is at its strongest.
The extremely strong alcohol, Absinthe was produced in the town of Pontarlier in Doubs until it was banned in 1915 due to its capacity to make people mad and turn them into criminals! The whole of the town’s economy was based around the production of this liquor containing up to 72° of alcohol and today the local speciality is the Pontarlier-Anis which has only 45° of alcohol! This reconversion allowed the town to re-establish a certain prosperity and today you can learn about its history at the same time as you visit the town.
Stop for a breather when going up the steep half kilometre of the main street and admire the 18th century baroque facade of the property found at number 8.
While visiting Doubs you can sample the very fine local cheeses and sausages. Take the opportunity while you’re on the doorstep to go motorhoming in Jura, motorhoming in Haute Saône or motorhoming in the Territoire de Belfort.
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