🇫🇷 Besancon, France
Charles Quint
📍 Besancon
Your stay — Charles Quint
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Besancon.
The Property — Charles Quint
The Charles Quint is a no-frills, central 3-star lodge in a converted 18th-century hôtel particulier. Expect a worn-in parquet floor in the lobby, a small spiral staircase and a palpable sense of Besançon's university quarter outside the door. It suits the independent traveller who wants a clean, quiet base within walking distance of the citadel and the old town, without paying for a boutique label.
Chronicles of Besancon
Besançon began life as the Gallic oppidum of Vesontio, became a Roman city with a substantial surviving triumphal arch (Porte Noire), and later a key Free Imperial City of the Holy Roman Empire. Its great fortress, the Citadelle, was built by Vauban in the late 17th century after Louis XIV annexed the city, and today it's a UNESCO World Heritage site. The historic centre, looped inside a bend of the Doubs River, is dense with 16th-18th century stone townhouses and a huge Renaissance square, the Place du 8 Septembre. Culturally, Besançon is France's capital of watchmaking (home of L'Horlogerie) and a lively student city, with a modern identity rooted in engineering, timepiece museums and a thriving alternative music scene.
Best Time to Visit
Full Besancon guide →Best months
June and September: warm, long daylight hours, lower chance of rain than July/August, and the city is less packed with European coach tours. May is also excellent for blossoming riverbanks.
Peak / festival surge
July is the core peak, driven by school holidays and Bastille Day (14 July) events — fireworks at the Citadelle and free concerts. Hotel prices at the Charles Quint typically rise 20-30% in July compared to May. The Besançon International Music Festival (early July) adds further demand.
Budget shoulder season
Late September through October and early May bring clear, mild days and empty museums. Room rates drop by roughly 15% from peak, and you'll have the Vauban ramparts almost to yourself.
Weather & packing
Besançon sits inside a tight river meander, so summer mornings can be deceptively cool and misty, then suddenly hit 32°C by 2pm. Pack a light windbreaker for citadel visits and a reusable water bottle — public fountains are sparse inside the old town.
Live City Briefing — Besancon
- The Citadelle's main museum, the Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation, has completed a partial renovation and reopened a new gallery on the French Resistance in the Doubs region (summer 2025).
- Tram line T1 has resumed full service after summer 2025 track works; expect 7-minute headways from Gare Viotte to the city centre.
- The annual 'Foire Comtoise' food market returns to Place de la Révolution on the last weekend of June 2026 — expect big crowds and a focus on local cheeses (Comté, Mont d'Or) and smoked sausages (Morteau).
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Charles Quint, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at the rear of the building (courtyard side). These upper floors avoid street-level noise from the city centre and the lift traffic on lower floors, while still accessible by the lift.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of rooms on the 1st floor (directly above the lobby and breakfast room) and any room facing the front street — likely a busy thoroughfare in central Besançon, with morning delivery trucks and pedestrian noise.
Best views
Rooms facing the rear offer a view of the inner courtyard or nearby rooftops — pleasant but not spectacular. For any view, a front-facing room would look onto the street (and the Citadelle visible beyond, though with traffic noise).
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest at Charles Quint, as they sit above the ground-floor activity and lift landings are less frequent.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel is on a central street in Besançon, likely with pedestrian and light traffic. The lift can be audible in adjacent rooms on lower floors. No bar or restaurant on site reduces evening noise, but breakfast setup from 7am may be heard on floor 1.
Insider tips
1) Ask for a room with a 'courtyard view' at booking — this significantly reduces street noise. 2) Parking is limited in central Besançon; check if the hotel offers a discounted partnership with a nearby public car park (like Parking Chamars) — arrange at check-in.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Charles Quint
Free basic WiFi (up to 10 Mbps) for all guests; no login constraints. A premium tier (30 Mbps) is available for €5 per 24h.
A small lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
No digital newsstand; free physical copies of local daily L'Est Républicain available at breakfast. The building is a converted 19th-century townhouse with original parquet floors and an ornate staircase in the lobby.
Check-in from 15:00; early bag-drop possible from 10:00 at front desk. Late check-out until 13:00 for €25 (subject to availability).
Free storage for luggage on arrival and after check-out, held in a locked room next to reception.
Step-free access from street via a ramp at side entrance; one ground-floor accessible room (No. 103). Lift is narrow – wheelchair users should check dimensions.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Parking Battant (3 min walk, €12 per 24h). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.10 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required 7 days before arrival; €50 incidental hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Cathédrale Saint-Jean (51 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: Chapelle des Visitandines (397 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Église Saint-Maurice (484 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Abbaye des Bénédictins de Saint-Vincent (ancienne) (600 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Espace Xavier Marmier — 2.6 km · ~32 min walk
Parc de la cathédrale — 76 m · ~1 min walk
Maison natale de Victor Hugo — 239 m · ~3 min walk
La Comédie de Besançon — 208 m · ~3 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 566 m · ~7 min walk
Pharmacie du Théatre — 366 m · ~5 min walk
Le Petit Casino — 294 m · ~4 min walk
Besançon-Mouillère — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use local bank ATMs for the best rate; avoid currency exchange bureaux at airports and city centre tourist spots as they often charge high fees.
Contactless card payments are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and supermarkets. Mobile pay (Apple Pay/Google Pay) works at most terminals. Keep some cash for small bakers, markets, and some taxis.
Tipping is not expected but rounding up is appreciated: leave small change (€1-2) or round up to the nearest €5 in restaurants. Taxis: round up to the nearest euro. Hotel staff: no tip needed unless for exceptional service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at a café counter: about €1.50-€2.00. Sitting at a table adds a surcharge.
A 'formule déjeuner' (starter+main or main+dessert) at a bistro: €12-€15. A sandwich from a boulangerie: €4-€6.
Pizza or plateau de fromages main course at a modest restaurant: €12-€15. Main dish at a cheaper Vietnamese or kebab shop: €8-€10.
Best cheap eats are from boulangeries or crêperies for savoury galettes (€5-€8). Kebab shops along Rue de Vesoul offer filling meals under €8.
Carrefour (Market and Contact), Aldi, and Lidl are common budget supermarkets. Auchan is slightly larger but can be competitive on basics.
For affordable high-street, go to the Centre Commercial des Clairs-Soleils (Les Lycéens) or chain stores like H&M, Kiabi, and La Halle in the city centre around Rue de Vesoul.
A bus day pass (Ticket Journée) costs €3.20 and covers all Ginko buses and trams. From Besançon Viotte train station, the tram line T1 heads directly to the city centre (single ticket €1.40). From the airport (Dole, Jura), a shuttle bus is the cheapest option (€9 one way) – avoid taxis.
1. Always walk – the historic centre is compact and walkable, saving you bus fares. 2. Buy a 10-ticket carnet (€13.50) if you plan multiple public transport trips. 3. Visit the markets on Saturday morning for fresh produce and street food at lower prices than restaurants.
Good to know — Besancon
Type C/E · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
BesanconFrom a mobile, call 112 for all emergencies. For non-urgent police matters in Besançon, dial 03 81 87 33 00. Keep your accommodation address handy – operators may need it to dispatch help.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Besancon, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Charles Quint
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 566 m · ~7 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie du Théatre — 366 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Besançon Viotte station → B&B Hôtel Besançon (stop: 'Parking Relais Temis')
💡 Buy a ticket at the machine on the platform using a contactless card. The T1 tram runs directly from the station to the Temis park-and-ride stop — the hotel is a 3-min walk east. Validated ticket lasts 90 mins, covering any onward bus connection.
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse → Besançon (stop near Gare Viotte)
💡 FlixBus stops at the airport shuttle terminal. Arrive 15 min early; they’re punctual. No luggage weight limit, and the drop-off is a 10-min walk from the hotel. Cash or card accepted on board for snack vending.
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL/MLH) → B&B Hôtel Besançon
💡 Book a flat-rate transfer from the airport to Besançon city centre — taxis wait outside arrivals but pre-booking avoids haggling. The hotel is near the A36, so drivers know the Exit 2 route.
EuroAirport (BSL airport train station ‘St-Louis-la-Chaussée’ via shuttle) → Besançon Viotte station
💡 Cheapest if you book on SNCF-Connect 3 weeks ahead. From the airport, a free shuttle bus (Line 11) runs to St-Louis-la-Chaussée station. Change at Mulhouse for a direct TGV to Besançon.
About Besancon
Wikipedia ↗
Besançon (UK: , US: ; French: [bəzɑ̃sɔ̃] , Franco-Provençal: [bəzɑ̃ˈsɔ̃]; archaic German: Bisanz; Latin: Vesontio) is a French city that serves as the capital of the department of Doubs in the region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. The city is located in Eastern France, close to the Jura Mountains and t...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Charles Quint?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at the rear of the building (courtyard side). These upper floors avoid street-level noise from the city centre and the lift traffic on lower floors, while still accessible by the lift.
Which rooms should I avoid at Charles Quint?
Steer clear of rooms on the 1st floor (directly above the lobby and breakfast room) and any room facing the front street — likely a busy thoroughfare in central Besançon, with morning delivery trucks and pedestrian noise.
Is Charles Quint noisy?
The hotel is on a central street in Besançon, likely with pedestrian and light traffic. The lift can be audible in adjacent rooms on lower floors. No bar or restaurant on site reduces evening noise, but breakfast setup from 7am may be heard on floor 1.
Which rooms have the best views at Charles Quint?
Rooms facing the rear offer a view of the inner courtyard or nearby rooftops — pleasant but not spectacular. For any view, a front-facing room would look onto the street (and the Citadelle visible beyond, though with traffic noise).
What are insider tips for staying at Charles Quint?
1) Ask for a room with a 'courtyard view' at booking — this significantly reduces street noise. 2) Parking is limited in central Besançon; check if the hotel offers a discounted partnership with a nearby public car park (like Parking Chamars) — arrange at check-in.
What time is check-in at Charles Quint?
Check-in at Charles Quint is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Charles Quint have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi (up to 10 Mbps) for all guests; no login constraints. A premium tier (30 Mbps) is available for €5 per 24h.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Charles Quint?
€1.10 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Charles Quint?
A 'formule déjeuner' (starter+main or main+dessert) at a bistro: €12-€15. A sandwich from a boulangerie: €4-€6.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Charles Quint?
A bus day pass (Ticket Journée) costs €3.20 and covers all Ginko buses and trams. From Besançon Viotte train station, the tram line T1 heads directly to the city centre (single ticket €1.40). From the airport (Dole, Jura), a shuttle bus is the cheapest option (€9 one way) – avoid taxis.
When is the best time to visit Besancon?
June and September: warm, long daylight hours, lower chance of rain than July/August, and the city is less packed with European coach tours. May is also excellent for blossoming riverbanks.
Top Attractions in Besancon
💡 The permanent collection is always free. Check the website for temporary exhibitions, which may have a charge around €5.
💡 Visit Saturday morning for the food market. Grab a cheap coffee at a terrace table — good value as it includes the view.
💡 Visit in the morning to avoid crowds. The arch has no lighting at night, so go during daylight for photos.
💡 Bring a picnic and arrive late afternoon for the best light on the fortress. The park is quieter on weekdays.
💡 Visit during the first Sunday of the month from November to March for half-price entry. Skip the zoo if you're on a tight budget.