Campervan Hire Besançon: Your French Adventure Starts Here

Discover Besançon: A Journey Through Time and Nature

Welcome to Besançon, the historic heart of the Franche-Comté region in eastern France. Nestled within a spectacular oxbow of the Doubs River, this city of around 117,000 inhabitants is a hidden gem, crowned by its magnificent Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Besançon's history is rich and deep, stretching back to its days as Vesontio, a key city in Roman Gaul mentioned by Julius Caesar himself. Over the centuries, it evolved into a center for watchmaking, earning it the title of the capital of French time. This legacy of precision and craftsmanship is still palpable in its elegant streets and museums.

The city was the birthplace of literary giant Victor Hugo and the Lumière brothers, pioneers of cinema, adding to its impressive cultural pedigree. When you choose a motorhome rental in Besançon, you're not just picking up a vehicle; you're unlocking a gateway to a region of breathtaking natural beauty and profound history. The geography is dominated by the Jura Mountains, offering a stunning backdrop and endless opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. A campervan hire in Besançon allows you to explore these rugged landscapes with complete freedom. The climate is continental, with warm summers and cold winters. The best time for your campervan hire in Besançon is from late spring to early autumn (May to September), when the weather is ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities. Whether you are looking for a standard vehicle or a rugged 4x4 camper hire in Besançon to tackle the mountain roads, you'll find the perfect base for your French road trip right here.

Top Sights & Activities with Your Campervan Hire in Besançon

Your motorhome rental in Besançon is your ticket to a world of discovery. The city itself is an open-air museum. Dominating the skyline is the Citadel of Besançon, a masterpiece of military architecture by Vauban. Spend a day exploring its ramparts, museums (including the Museum of the Resistance and Deportation, the Comtois Museum, and a Natural History Museum with a zoo), and soaking in the panoramic views of the old town and the Doubs River.

Stroll through the old town, La Boucle, and admire the elegant 17th and 18th-century stone buildings. Don't miss the Porte Noire, a Roman triumphal arch, and the nearby Square Castan with its archaeological remains. Visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts et d'Archéologie (Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeology), one of France's oldest public museums, housing collections from antiquity to the modern day. For a moment of tranquility, the Parc Micaud on the riverbank offers beautiful green spaces and riverside walks. A campervan hire in Besançon gives you the flexibility to explore beyond the city limits. Drive along the Doubs valley, visit the Royal Saltworks at Arc-et-Senans (another UNESCO site), or venture into the Jura Mountains for hiking, kayaking, and exploring charming villages. With a 4x4 camper hire in Besançon, you can even access more remote trails and viewpoints for a truly off-the-beaten-path experience.

Unforgettable Road Trips Starting From Besançon

With your keys in hand from your campervan hire in Besançon, the entire region is yours to explore. Here are a couple of tour ideas to get your adventure started:

⛰️ The Jura Mountains Loop (3-4 Days)

🍷 The Jura Wine Route (2-3 Days)

Returning Your Campervan Clean: Washing Facilities in Besançon

After an amazing trip with your motorhome rental in Besançon, it's time to think about the return. To avoid any cleaning fees, you'll need to return your campervan in the same clean condition you received it. Washing a large vehicle can be tricky, as standard car washes are often too low. You need a station with high-clearance bays, typically found at truck stops or dedicated large-vehicle washing facilities.

Here are a few suitable options in or around Besançon where you can get your campervan sparkling clean before drop-off:

1. Eléphant Bleu Besançon Valentin
These stations often have high-roofed, self-service bays perfect for campers. You can control the pressure washer and brushes yourself to get the job done right.
Address: Rue de l'Épine, 25480 École-Valentin, France

2. Lavage Poids Lourds AS 24
This is a dedicated truck wash station, so you are guaranteed it will accommodate the height of any motorhome, even the largest models. They offer comprehensive cleaning services.
Address: Rue Maurice-Augustin Lippmann, 25000 Besançon, France

3. Intermarché SUPER Roche-lez-Beaupré & Drive
Many larger supermarkets ('hypermarchés') in France have high-clearance washing bays in their service station areas. They are a convenient option as you can also refuel and stock up on supplies.
Address: 1 Rte de Vesoul, 25220 Roche-lez-Beaupré, France

Always check the height restrictions before entering a wash bay and bring some change or a credit card for the self-service machines.

How to Get to Besançon for Your Campervan Hire

Getting to Besançon to start your campervan adventure is straightforward, even from across the globe. Here’s how you can reach us from the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

By Air:
The main international airports serving Besançon are EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL), located about 1.5 hours away, Geneva (GVA), and Lyon-Saint-Exupéry (LYS), both about 2-2.5 hours away by car or train. From there, you can easily reach our depot to pick up your campervan hire in Besançon.

From the UK & Ireland:
You'll find numerous direct flights from London (Heathrow, Gatwick, City), Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh, and Dublin to Basel (BSL), Geneva (GVA), and Lyon (LYS). Airlines like British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, and Swiss offer regular services.

From the USA & Canada:
There are no direct flights to Besançon's closest airports. The most common route is to fly into a major European hub like Paris (CDG), Amsterdam (AMS), Frankfurt (FRA), or London (LHR) and take a connecting flight to Lyon (LYS) or Geneva (GVA). Major carriers like Delta, United, Air Canada, and Air France operate daily flights from hubs like New York (JFK), Atlanta (ATL), Chicago (ORD), Toronto (YYZ), and Montreal (YUL). From Paris CDG, you can also take a high-speed TGV train directly to Besançon.

From Australia, New Zealand & South Africa:
Your journey will involve at least one stop, typically in the Middle East (e.g., Dubai with Emirates, Doha with Qatar Airways) or Asia (e.g., Singapore with Singapore Airlines). You would fly from Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL), Auckland (AKL), or Johannesburg (JNB) to a major European hub like Paris, Lyon, or Geneva before making the final leg of your journey to the region.

By Car (for UK/Ireland arrivals):
For those flying into Paris or driving from the UK, the journey is straightforward. From Paris, Besançon is about a 4-hour drive. From Calais, it’s approximately a 6-hour drive, making it an easy first day's journey after crossing the Channel.