Top 6 Castles around Novillars

The primary castle in Novillars is the Château de Novillars. While the château itself is a private property, its extensive surrounding park is open to the public. This park features aquatic spaces, rest areas, and playgrounds, making it a pleasant spot for relaxation.

Yes, several castles and related sites offer family-friendly activities. The park surrounding the Château de Novillars has playgrounds for children. The Citadel of Besançon is particularly family-friendly, housing the Besançon Zoo and other museums, and is listed as a family-friendly highlight.

The region is rich in history. The Château de Novillars replaced a 13th-century feudal castle and underwent significant restoration in the 17th century. The Citadel of Besançon and Vauban Citadel are masterpieces of military architecture by Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban, recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These fortifications played crucial roles in defending France's eastern borders.

The Château de Novillars itself is a private property and houses the Centre d'Education et d'Accompagnement au Travail du Doubs. However, its vast surrounding park, which includes various amenities and over 100 plant species, is publicly accessible.

The area offers spectacular views. From the greenway along the Doubs, you can get a superb view of the Citadel of Besançon. The Citadel itself provides breathtaking panoramic views over the city of Besançon and the surrounding valley. Fort de Chaudanne also offers many viewpoints over different areas of the city, including the historic loop and a unique perspective of the Citadel.

While specific hiking trails directly connecting castles are not detailed, the broader region around Novillars offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous running trails in the area, with options ranging from moderate to difficult. Explore more at the Running Trails around Novillars guide.

Beyond exploring the castles, the Novillars region is excellent for outdoor enthusiasts. You can find various routes for gravel biking, running, and road cycling. For gravel biking, check out the Gravel biking around Novillars guide. For road cycling, see the Road Cycling Routes around Novillars guide.

Visitors frequently praise the historical significance and architectural grandeur of the fortifications, especially the UNESCO-listed Citadel of Besançon. The panoramic views from various viewpoints, such as the greenway along the Doubs and Fort de Chaudanne, are also highly appreciated. The combination of history, nature, and family-friendly attractions makes the area a popular destination.

Yes, the Citadel of Besançon houses several museums and attractions, including the Museum of French Resistance and Deportation, the Comtois Museum, and the Besançon Zoo, which is one of the oldest zoos in France.

The region offers beautiful natural settings. The Château de Novillars is surrounded by a vast park with aquatic spaces and over 100 plant species. When admiring the Vauban Citadel from certain angles, you can also observe the geology of the cliff on which it sits. There's even a chance to spot chamois on the cliff crests in the early morning or evening.

The park of Château de Novillars is publicly accessible. For the Vauban Citadel, the first access to a green esplanade and views of Besançon is free, allowing visitors to appreciate the Citadel from the inside. Further access to museums requires a ticket. Fort de Chaudanne cannot be visited inside but you can go around it and appreciate its fortifications and trench.