The rural departement of Doubs is located within the Franche-Comte region on the Swiss border. An ideal destination for those who enjoy outdoor sports, walking and beautiful natural attractions, the region also has plenty to offer visitors who enjoy more cultural pursuits too. As well as being an area noted for its meat and cheese specialities, the Doubs region is also home to some historic villages, towns and castles, including the capital of the region, Bescancon.
This is probably the best place to make your base if you are exploring the Doubs area or even further afield, as the town has the biggest choice of accommodation, restaurants and other amenities. It is also a pleasant historic town, with many of its public buildings dating back to the 17th century, including the impressive citadel that dominates the winding streets of the old town. The citadel may once have been a fortress, but it is now home to a number of museums dedicated to a variety of subjects; ranging from natural history to the resistance. The town's cathedral is well worth a visit, if only to see its amazing astronomical clock, with 30,000 moving pieces, in action.
In the south of the Doubs region and all along the border with Switzerland, the scenery becomes hilly, offering plenty of opportunities to pull on your walking boots and explore the countryside by foot. There are other ways to explore the area, of course, not least on two wheels. While its slopes are a haven for skiers in the winter, during the summer months the resort of Metbief becomes a favourite haunt of mountain bikers from all over France. There are bike rental facilities and the trails are graded for difficulty just like ski slopes. There are two large lakes in this southern area too, the Saint-Point lake and the Remoray lake. The latter is home to many species of rare water birds and so is more of a destination for those who enjoy peace and quiet while they walk, while the first, Saint-Point, has man-made beaches that are popular in the summer and even have a lifeguard on duty, while there are also centres offering sailing, windsurfing and canoeing.
Further north, the scenery becomes more dramatic, cutting through the Doubs gorge created by the river that shares its name. Popular with walkers throughout the year, those without a fear of heights may like to try the Ladders of Death. These steep walkways, once used by smugglers and made of wood, now take you safely to a height of 100 metres above the river, giving those brave enough to make the climb and excellent view of the Doubs region and into Switzerland.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Doubs? Then below is a selection of gites in Doubs and villas in Doubs that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
