Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Belle Besançon

If you look at a map, and locate Neuchâtel, you will see how close it is to the French border. Knowing this, Bob suggested a trip to Besançon, a "town of History and Art", that is only a two and half hour train trip away. When we mentioned our plan to Dan, he offered to drive us there on a Saturday morning. He and Paul were intending to cross the border to do some grocery shopping anyway, so why not combine that with a visit to a beautiful place? How could we say no?
A small portion of the citadel.
We got away early that day, so that we could all visit the main attraction before lunch, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the citadel above the town. Designed by Vauban, the architect who was also responsible for the fortress of Louisbourg in Canada, this is a beautiful and extensive collection of buildings that sit on a promontory over the Doubs River. In order to attract families, the space now also houses a zoo, an insectarium, and an aquarium, as well as several museum exhibit halls.
Paul, Dan and I on the ramparts

A statue of Vauban, the architect.
We were very lucky to have had beautiful weather that morning. The animals came out to play and we could see for a distance from the heights of the ramparts. In one part of the citadel were several memorials to events that took place in WWII. Since I am teaching Holocaust literature, I was particularly taken by the sculpture in memory of those who died in various concentration camps.

Baboons
Memorial to Holocaust victims at the citadel.
After about an hour and a half at this site, Dan drove Bob and me to our hotel, while he and Paul headed back to Switzerland - no doubt stopping for groceries on the way.

La Tour Carrée (square tower) near our hotel
Bob and I stayed because we wanted to see what else Besançon had to offer. As can be seen in the photos attached, this is a city of great beauty. We walked for hours, snapping photos as we went along. There was time for me to shop as well - a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
Synagogue in Besançon
The Musée des Beaux Arts was closed for renovations - hence the quiet square.
Roman columns in Square Castan in Besançon
Inside St Jean Cathedral
On Sunday morning, we headed to the Cathedral to see the Astronomical Clock, an amazing instrument with complex abilities. It keeps track of tides and leap years and time zones and planetary orbits and so many other things. I loved it!
The astronomical clock
Afterwards, as we explored the town on this quiet Sunday morning, we came across participants and supporters of the Jungle Run. It seems that many locals were involved in this event. It was a festive competition with some participants painted green while others were attired in outrageous costumes.
A green Jungle runner negotiating one of the obstacles.
The town motto is Utinam

A view by the River Doubs
We strolled for a couple of hours, passing more historical sites and monuments as we made our way back to the hotel, then to the train station, and finally, home to Neuchâtel.





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