Departments of Franche-Comté

Franche-Comté is a region and historical province in eastern France, which includes most of the French portion of the Jura mountain range and the plateau of the upper Saône River. It comprises the departments of Jura, Doubs, Haute-Saône, and Territoire de Belfort. The pine forests in the Jura and the pastures for stock raising are important to the area's economy. A section of the Jura slopes is planted with grapes. The Franche-Comté is famous for its Gruyère cheese and its watches and clocks.

History

Originally occupied in the 4th century B.C. by the Sequani, a Celtic tribe, the region became a part of the Roman Empire after Julius Caesar's victory over the Gauls in 52 B.C. It was later settled by the Burgundians and, in 534 A.D., conquered by the Franks. In the 10th century the various small countships of the area were united to form the county of Burgundy, a fief of the kingdom of Burgundy. The county passed, with the kingdom, under the suzerainty of the Holy Roman Empire in 1032. The name Franche-Comté ("Free County") first appeared in an official document in 1366.

Official Regional Flag of Franche-Comté

In 1384, Franche-Comté passed through marriage to Philip the Bold, duke of Burgundy, under whom it received a definite political organization — council, estates, parlement — centered in Dôle. As a result of dynastic marriages, it was severed from Burgundy and ceded to the Habsburgs in 1493 by the Treaty of Senlis. After the reign of Emperor Charles V, it passed in 1556 to the Spanish branch of the Habsburgs.

Under Spanish rule the province fared well and was granted a large measure of autonomy. The parlement of Dôle was the political center, and the governor was chosen from the ranks of the Franche-Comté nobility. Moreover, the obligatory money payment to Spain was small, and few of the province's inhabitants were taken as soldiers. Franche-Comté's prosperity was symbolized by Besançon's fairs and the many new Renaissance structures built.

	All activities Cinema Restaurants Sightseeing Choose a city: Belfort Besançon Dole Vesoul -----------------------

Franche-Comté was often invaded by the French and was devastated during the Thirty Years' War. Spain forcefully defended the region, no doubt because of its military importance; it not only connected the Spanish possessions in Italy and the Low Countries but also allowed for the opening of another front against France in case of war. In 1665, however, Louis XIV laid claim to Franche-Comté in the name of his wife, Maria Theresa, and three years later the prince de Condé conquered it in 15 days. Louis swore to maintain the province's liberties but was forced to return it to Spain by the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. Another successful invasion was staged shortly afterward; both the king and the fortification expert Vauban were present at the lengthy siege of Besançon in 1674. The arch of Saint Martin's Gate in Paris was erected to celebrate Franche-Comté's definitive annexation in 1678 by the Treaty of Nijmegen.

Although Besançon, the new capital of the province, was given a parliament and a university, anti-French sentiment remained strong until the 18th century, when Frenchmen from surrounding districts began to settle there. In 1790, as part of the administrative reforms brought about by the Revolution, the old province was divided into departments. Franche-Comté was resurrected as an administrative region in 1982.

Franche-Comté Links

Calendar of Events Calendar of upcoming special events, conferences, museum exhibits, theatre, regional culture, fairs & festivals, holidays, religious celebrations, sporting competitions, and more.

Comité Régional du Tourisme de Franche-Comté (CRT) The region's tourism bureau provides practical travel information plus an overview of public parks & preserves, recreation areas, cultural traditions, festivals & special events, news, e-postcards and an excellent collection of images.

Franche-Comté Facts Administrative facts, population statistics, geographical details, and historical descriptions for each of Franche-Comté's 4 departments (in French only).

Opéra Théatre de Besançon Designed by the famous architect Claude-Nicolas Ledoux in the late 18th century, this landmark — situated in the center of town — offers a varied program of operas, operettas, chamber music, dance and dramatic performances.

Theatrical Events Calendar of upcoming theatrical events, practical info & links — including classical productions, cafe-theatre, cabarets, children's shows, marionettes, outdoor theatrical festivals.

La Ville de Besançon The town council of Besançon provides information on the city's government, economy, health, sports & recreation, cultural venues, and tourism (in both French & English).

Recommended Books

Michelin - The Green Guide: Jura/Franche-Comté, 5e by Michelin Travel Publications 5th Edition Offering detailed driving directions, maps, and narratives on landmarks and sightseeing attractions, the Michelin Green Guides are an indispensable tool for every traveler.

Michelin Bourgogne/Franche-Comté, France Map 243 by Michelin Travel Publications 19th Edition An annually updated road map of Bourgogne and Franche-Comte, covering the main and secondary road networks across the region. Scale: 1/200,000 (1cm=2km). Legend/Key in two languages (French, English).

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