Visit Bourgogne-Franche-Comté by train

Looking for a cultural getaway? Head for Dijon, whose imposing palace was once home to the Dukes of Burgundy. Too long reduced to culinary and wine clichés, Dijon is a great cultural city with a rich heritage, symbolized by the many bell towers that earn it its nickname. Stroll through its elegant historic center, now largely pedestrianized, and visit its recently renovated Musée des Beaux-Arts. The traditional wine and mustard shops that are the pride of the region rub shoulders with more recent restaurants and trendy boutiques.

Looking for peace and quiet? Opt for a relaxing getaway to Lons-le-Saunier, a spa resort much appreciated by connoisseurs. Its waters, with their high salt and trace element content, are the reason for the spa's renown. Between two relaxation sessions, you can enjoy the heritage of this historic town on the famous salt route, the birthplace of the composer of the national anthem La Marseillaise, Rouget de Lisle. On the outskirts, the Jura vineyards offer pleasant walks, starting with the listed village of Baume-les-Messieurs, one of the most beautiful in France.

Nestled in the Doubs region, Besançon is a lively city that will appeal to travelers in search of culture. Follow in the footsteps of Victor Hugo and visit his birthplace, where the political and social struggles of the great French writer are on display. Then take a trip to the Musée des Beaux-Arts et d'Archéologie, where the collections are beautifully displayed. Finally, between the Palais Granvelle and the Vauban citadel, take a stroll through the mansions of this proud historic city, which has lived up to its nickname of "ville d'or" (city of gold).

Looking for a trip back in time? Belfort, the citadel situated between the Jura and Vosges mountain ranges, fortified by Vauban, will delight you. Its identity and character have been shaped by centuries of conflict. The magnificent Lion, sculpted between 1875 and 1880 by Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, pays tribute to the heroic resistance of the town's inhabitants under siege from the Prussians. If you're an avid hiker, take advantage of the hundreds of kilometers of marked trails that criss-cross the Belfort region to discover its landscapes, fauna, flora and, above all, its history.

Go on a pilgrimage to Nevers, a city that marvels at the diversity of its historical and religious heritage. Take a stroll through its streets, where every architectural style is represented. They're brimming with chapels, churches, townhouses and half-timbered houses, culminating in the ducal palace and Saint-Cyr cathedral. Visit the Musée de la Faïence, where you'll learn all about the famous "bleu de Nevers", a ceramic tradition that has been the pride of the town for centuries... Or perhaps you'd prefer to test your driving skills with friends or family on the famous Magny-Cours racetrack?

As soon as you sit down, you'll want to get off! Departing from Dijon, the line of Grands Crus leading to Chalon-sur-Saône is sure to intoxicate you with its evocative names. First the Côte de Nuits, with its gently sloping plots planted with pinot noir, then the Côte de Beaune and its gently rolling hillsides, all the way to the village of Meursault, whose last winegrowers' houses herald the arrival of Chalon-sur-Saône. Once there, if you're not too dizzy, don't miss a visit to the Musée Nicéphore Niépce, the inventor of photography, which was born in this pretty town, which has been awarded the "Ville d'Art et d'Histoire" label.

Looking for an unforgettable train journey? Head for Dole, the former capital of Franche-Comté, nestling on the banks of the Doubs. This city was the birthplace of scientist Louis Pasteur, to whom a museum is dedicated. Then embark on the Ligne des Hirondelles, one of France's most beautiful railway lines, which crosses the Loue and Doubs rivers, traverses the Jura vineyards, climbs the Col de la Savine, before reaching Morbier with a succession of six viaducts and three tunnels to Morez. Like a bird reaching for the sky, follow this acrobatic route to Saint-Claude, the line's terminus.