Après le passage du pont Schwint, en attaquant le quai de Strasbourg et à gauche, la montée vers les fortifications extérieures et la gare.
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Tour de la Pelote

4.3
·66 reviews·Besançon, France

A historic 15th-century stone tower on the Doubs River, offering picturesque views and a glimpse into Besançon's strategic past.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Daytime

Best light for photos

CrowdLow
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Après le passage du pont Schwint, en attaquant le quai de Strasbourg et à gauche, la montée vers les fortifications extérieures et la gare.

Tour de la Pelote

Best Time

Daytime

Best light for photos

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A historic 15th-century stone tower on the Doubs River, offering picturesque views and a glimpse into Besançon's strategic past.

4.3
(66 reviews)

"Pretty tower offering a view of the Vauban quays, along the Doubs."

Vertical photo
TIP

📸 Capture the Views

The tower offers lovely panoramic views of the Doubs River and Vauban quays. :camerawithflash:

🚶‍♂️ Explore the Quays

Take a stroll along the Vauban quays for a complete appreciation of the area's history. :athletic_shoe:

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.3 · 66 reviews

Type

Historical Landmark

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Historic Stone Tower

Historic Stone Tower

Quai Strasbourg, confluence of Doubs and Mouillère rivers

A medieval stone tower with significant historical roots, offering a glimpse into Besançon's past.

Panoramic River Views

Panoramic River Views

From the tower's vicinity

Enjoy picturesque vistas of the Doubs River and the Vauban quays from this scenic spot.

Vauban Quays

Vauban Quays

Along the Doubs River

Admire the well-preserved Vauban quays, a testament to the city's strategic military architecture.

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Planning Your Visit

Understand Its Historical Significance

The Tour de la Pelote is a historic national monument, built in the 15th century due to advancements in firearms. Later, Vauban integrated it into the city walls after Louis XIV's conquest. Appreciating its past enhances the visit.

Accessibility and Views

While not always accessible to the public, the tower offers beautiful views of the Vauban quays and the confluence of the Doubs and Mouillère rivers. Enjoy the vistas from its strategic location.

Best Times

When
Daytime
Why
Best light for photos
Crowd
Low
When
Late Afternoon
Why
Golden hour views
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Je te présente tous les départements de France 🇫🇷 Aujourd’hui, le Doubs 🧀 Tu connaissais ce département ? 🤔 #doubs25 #doubs #doubstourisme #besancon #besancon🇨🇵 #besancon #montbeliard #sochaux
@jozefexplique
7.4K likes • 109.4K views

📸 Capture the Views

The tower offers lovely panoramic views of the Doubs River and Vauban quays. :camerawithflash:

🚶‍♂️ Explore the Quays

Take a stroll along the Vauban quays for a complete appreciation of the area's history. :athletic_shoe:

Besançon c’est méchant la planoise violent
@zone.2.france
5.8K likes • 127.8K views
Paleta Tour XVIe ! ⚾️ Nous entamons le 3ème jour du Paleta Tour et l’envie de la gagne est toujours là 💪🏼 #paleta #pelote #paletatour #sectionpaloise #sectionpaloisebearnpyrenees #sectionpaloisepelote
sectionpaloise_pelote
0 likes • 1.6K views

📍 Prime Location

Located at the confluence of two rivers, it's a picturesque spot worth seeking out. :round_pushpin:

📜 Discover History

Learn about its 15th-century origins and Vauban's integration into the city walls. 📜

VENTE AUX ENCHERES ARTS DU PAYS BASQUE ET DES LANDES - Mercredi 23 juillet 2025 à 14h30 dans la Tour de Bordagain à Ciboure. Retrouvez tous les lots présentés sur InterEnchères dans notre catalogue au lien suivant : https://www.interencheres.com/art-decoration/arts-du-pays-basque-et-des-landes-collection-de-monsieur-et-de-madame-proux-delrouyre-et-a-divers-amateurs-651120 #ascain #ciboure #b...
carrere_laborie
13 likes • 507 views

Tips

from all over the internet

📸 Capture the Views

The tower offers lovely panoramic views of the Doubs River and Vauban quays. :camerawithflash:

🚶‍♂️ Explore the Quays

Take a stroll along the Vauban quays for a complete appreciation of the area's history. :athletic_shoe:

📍 Prime Location

Located at the confluence of two rivers, it's a picturesque spot worth seeking out. :round_pushpin:

📜 Discover History

Learn about its 15th-century origins and Vauban's integration into the city walls. 📜

What Travellers Say

4.3
(66 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors find the Tour de la Pelote a visually appealing and historically significant landmark in Besançon. While it's often not accessible to the public, its picturesque location at the river confluence and its medieval charm are highly appreciated. The views of the Vauban quays from its vicinity are a notable highlight.

"Visually appealing with significant history of this beautiful city of Besançon. I was at the Montmart tower and can see this stone tower at the lower side. It's on Quai Strasbourg on the very point, confluence, of the Mouillère and Doubs River meet. It's a listed historic national monument. It was like the Montmart tower, it wasn't accessible to the public, but I enjoyed discovering its history and appreciating the vistas from this spot. Worth a look."

Antoine M

"Nice to see"

Zsolt Püspöki

"Pretty tower offering a view of the Vauban quays, along the Doubs"

Xavier Kempa

What People Like

Beautiful medieval tower
Scenic river views
Historical significance

What People Dislike

Not accessible to public

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Tour de la Pelote is located on Quai Strasbourg, at the confluence of the Mouillère and Doubs rivers. It's easily accessible by foot from the city center. Public transport options are also available, with several bus lines stopping nearby. Reddit

Parking can be limited in the immediate vicinity due to its riverside location. It's recommended to use public parking garages in the city center and walk to the tower. Reddit

Yes, visitors have noted seeing the tower from other elevated points in the city, such as the Montmart tower, offering a different perspective. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

The Tour de la Pelote is often not accessible to the public, meaning you typically cannot enter it. However, viewing it from the outside and appreciating its historical significance is free. Reddit

As the tower is generally not open for public access, there are no set opening hours. You can view it from the exterior at any time. Reddit

The area is generally considered safe and is a popular spot for walks along the river. Standard precautions for urban areas apply. Reddit

🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience

While you can't enter, you can admire the medieval stone tower itself and enjoy the beautiful panoramic views of the Doubs River and the Vauban quays. Reddit

Absolutely! The tower's architecture and its riverside location make it a picturesque subject for photography, especially during golden hour. Reddit

Built in the 15th century due to the advent of firearms, it was later incorporated into the city walls by Vauban after Louis XIV's conquest. Reddit

Currently, there are no public tours or specific activities within the tower itself as it's not accessible. The enjoyment comes from its external presence and historical context. Reddit

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