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Arc-et-Senans

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Doubs

Arc-et-Senans - Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Doubs
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Located in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, in the Doubs department, the village of Arc-et-Senans takes place not far from the forest of Chaux, near the city of Besançon. Known for its royal saltworks, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town is 250 meters above sea level.

Very touristic, the commune of Arc-et-Senans has a rich architectural heritage dominated by the saline. Pleasant and quiet, this small town of Doubs knew a human occupation since the Gallo-Roman era, as evidenced by the Roman remains found on the spot.

True city of the arts, Arc-et-Senans attracts visitors with its charm, as well as its history full of interest. Installed in nature, in a preserved environment, the town has preserved its authenticity and its values.

Geographical information

MunicipalityArc-et-Senans
Postcode25610
Latitude47.0329580 (N 47° 1’ 59”)
Longitude5.7811650 (E 5° 46’ 52”)
AltitudeFrom 226m to 292m
Surface area14.98 km²
Population1643 inhabitants
Density109 inhabitants/km²
PrefectureBesançon (35 km, 40 min)
Insee code25021
IntercommunalityCC Loue-Lison
DepartmentDoubs
TerritoriesFranche-Comté, Jura mountains
RegionBurgundy-Franche-Comté

Nearest cities & towns

Cramans2.9 km (4 min)
Liesle4.3 km (5 min)
Champagne-sur-Loue4.9 km (7 min)
Chissey-sur-Loue5.1 km (7 min)
Villers-Farlay5.8 km (8 min)
Port-Lesney7.1 km (10 min)
Écleux7.2 km (10 min)
Chatelay7.3 km (11 min)
Mouchard7.4 km (11 min)
Buffard7.6 km (11 min)
Germigney7.9 km (9 min)
Lombard8.1 km (9 min)
Chamblay9 km (11 min)
Pagnoz9.2 km (11 min)

Things to see and do

The Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans is the main tourist attraction of the town. Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it attracts more than 130,000 visitors each year. Also classified as a Historic Monument, it was created in the 18th century and continued its activities until the end of the 19th century. Considered one of the most important in Europe, the saline is the work of Claude-Nicolas Ledoux, under the orders of the King of France, Louis XV. Largely open to the public today, the site reveals the Ledoux Museum in the cooper buildings. You can admire different models of works never realized by the architect. Temporary exhibitions are also offered in the salt buildings, while concerts are punctually organized. Several buildings are still visible on the saline site, such as the bernes, the cooperage, the director's house, the graduation building and its basin, or farriery. Gardens, once cultivated by the inhabitants, are also present. They are the theater of a festival every year.

It is not less than two castles that take place on the territory of the commune of Arc-et-Senans. The castle of Roche-sur-Loue is the most important. Entirely rebuilt in the middle of the eighteenth century, it has a main body surrounded by two square towers with a roof to the imperial. Classified as Historic Monuments, it is unfortunately not possible to visit. More recent, the castle of Arc dates from 1751 and was also classified to the Historic Monuments. It has a large park of more than three hectares.

Built in 1913, the chapel of Arc was completely renovated a few years ago thanks to the generosity of the local farmers. Not far away, the chapel of the Grotto of the Essarts dates from the middle of the XIXth century. Built in stone, it takes place on a natural promontory. It is the scene of a procession every August 15th.

Rich in interest, the church of Saint-Bénigne dates from the middle of the XIXth century. Classical in style, it is inspired by the fashionable Greek-Latin architecture at that time. Inside, you can admire beautiful Italian and Flemish paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries. Several are classified as Historic Monuments.

The forest of Chaux offers several possibilities for walks, while the banks of the Loue have been arranged for family walks. On the Chemin des Gabelous, which makes it possible to appreciate the municipality's heritage, interpretation panels facilitate understanding.

Places of interest

Information points
Monuments
Transport

Events and festivities

A fair takes place every fourth Wednesday of the month in the morning. A Christmas market is organized at the end of the year.

The World Fair of Fables offers readings for all ages in March.

In July and August, sound and light are offered each year.

As of 15 August, the chapel of the Grotto of the Essarts proposes a nocturnal procession.

In September, you can enjoy the hot air balloon festival with demonstrations, baptisms or fireworks.

A festival of gardens is proposed at the Royal Saltworks in September. Different activities, a fair of plants and a festival are proposed.

Rencontre Internationale de Boxe
Atelier : Les Fabuleux Pouvoirs du sel
Les p’Tits Ateliers du Printemps : Prends-en de la Graine !
Les p’Tits Ateliers du Printemps : La Peinture au sel
Atelier : Apprenti Explorateur
Atelier : Impression Végétale
Atelier : Des Nids Pour les Hirondelles
Electro Loue Project

Photos

Saline entrance
Saline entrance
See photo
House of the saline director
House of the saline director
See photo
Fly fishing on the Loue
Fly fishing on the Loue
See photo
One of the saline buildings
One of the saline buildings
See photo
Forest of Lime
Forest of Lime
See photo
Forest of Lime
Forest of Lime
See photo
Forest of Lime
Forest of Lime
See photo
Forest of Lime
Forest of Lime
See photo
Forest of Lime
Forest of Lime
See photo
Forest of Lime
Forest of Lime
See photo
Forest of Lime
Forest of Lime
See photo
Forest of Lime
Forest of Lime
See photo
Forest of Lime
Forest of Lime
See photo

Weather

Tuesday 19 march
Min. 3°C - Max. 17°C
Day
Night
Wednesday 20 march
Min. 6°C - Max. 20°C
Day
Night
Thursday 21 march
Min. 11°C - Max. 18°C
Day
Night

Visits, leisure and activities nearby

Leisure activities

Last nameActivity typeRateCity
Maiden flight in a Stampe SV4-RS biplane
Sports sensations99 € to 299 € Dole (26 km)
Playheure escape game
Entertainment84 € to 110 € Besançon (29 km)
Introduction to jewellery workshop
Arts and Crafts70 € Bletterans (40 km)
Canyoning in the Malvaux Gorges
Sports sensations50 € Foncine-le-Bas (48 km)

Outings

Last nameOuting typeDifficultyDurationDeparture municipality
Loop between Arbois and Pupillin
HikeEasy3:00Arbois (14.6 km)
Dan Cross
HikeEasy1:45Poligny (23 km)
The ride of Jouhe
HikeEasy55 minJouhe (25 km)
Archaeological site of St Saturnin du Bois
HikeIntermediate5:35Besançon (29 km)
Greenway
HikeEasy6:00Devecey (37 km)

Restaurants

Bed & breakfasts

Vacation rentals

Campsites

Hotels

Your holidays
A hotel
A vacation rental
A bed & breakfast
A campsite
A leisure activity
A restaurant
A rental car
A plane ticket
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