Where to Stay and Eat in Franche-Comté

The region’s best restaurants and hotels, including some more unusual offerings from former monasteries to tree cabins…

Related articles: Franche-Comté: The Land of Plenty

TOP HOTEL SELECTION

Grand Hôtel du Tonneau d’Or, Belfort

Built in 1907, this four-star neo-classical hotel has 52 unique contemporary rooms in the heart of the old town and is just five minutes on foot from the Lion of Belfort. www.tonneaudor.fr/en

La Mainaz, Col de la Faucille, Gex

Enjoy views of Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva from this four-star Hôtel de Charme at 1,250 metres in the Haut- Jura. It has 21 rooms, a gastronomic restaurant and bistro. www.la-mainaz.com

Château Mont Joly, Sampans

Modern décor sets off this 18th-century property, renovated in the 1990s and surrounded by a park. It has an outdoor pool, panoramic views, and award-winning chef, Romauld Fassenet. www.chateaumontjoly.com

Château de Germigney, Port-Lesney

This former 18th-century hunting lodge near Arbois has a garden and natural pool. There’s also a gourmet restaurant with Michelin star, plus traditional-style cosy bistro. www.chateaudegermigney.com

CHARACTER HOTELS

Hôtel Le Sauvage, Besançon

Beneath the citadel in the historic quarter is this three-star hotel in a former monastery with views over the town and Doubs valley. www.hotel-lesauvage.com

Au Moulin des Écorces, Dole

A waterside three-star hotel with 18 rooms in a former mill just a short walk from the town centre. Its gastronomic restaurant serves regional specialities, plus there’s Le Bistrot. www.aumoulindesecorces.fr

Hôtel La Balance, Montbéliard

Period style in a 16th-century building at the foot of a château with 45 individually decorated bedrooms. www.hotellabalance.com

Le Manoir des Montagnes, Les Rousses, Haut-Jura

Expect beautiful fabrics, delicious cuisine and a panoramic valley view at this ‘Relais du Silence’ in a popular ski resort in the Noirmont Massif. www.manoirdesmontagnes.com

Hôtel de France, Ornans

Close to the banks of the Loue, this hotel was once the town’s first cinema. Superior rooms have been renovated with shing themes from across the world; there’s a gastronomic restaurant and brasserie too. www.hoteldefrance-ornans.com

RESTAURANT SELECTION

Bistrot La Charrette, Besançon

Dine surrounded by relaxing décor in a town-centre location. Listed in the Gault & Millau 2017 gastronomic guide for its traditional food with air. www.restaurantlacharrette.com

Le Poker d’As, Besançon

This central family-run eaterie, opened in 1949, serves traditional but creative cuisine – set menus or à la carte. www.restaurant-lepokerdas.fr

L’Anversis, Lamoura

Quality and simplicity are key to the dishes served here in Les Rousses ski resort. Many dishes use local produce. Cheese fondues are a speciality. www.lanversis.com

Le Pot au Feu, Belfort

In the antiques district below Belfort’s lion sculpture is this small, friendly restaurant named after one of France’s most traditional and popular dishes. www.lepotaufeu.fr

B&BS

À l’Ombre du Château, Doubs

A stylish 18th-century property with five charming bedrooms in Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne, a quiet village near Ornans and Salins-les-Bains. bit.ly/Ombre-du-chateau

Le Pré Oudot, Haut-Doubs

Sleep soundly in log cabin-style bedrooms on a traditional 17th-century farm 1,000 metres up in the Jura. The popular accommodation is listed in many guidebooks. www.le-pre-oudot.fr

Le Repère des Anges, Larnod

Stay just outside Besançon in one of three spacious suites in a restored 16th-century farmhouse with outdoor pool and great views. Order evening meal on reservation; no children 3-13. www.lereperedesanges.fr

ECO-LIVING

Cabins on the Great Lakes, Chassey-les-Montbozon

Leave no carbon footprint at these atmospheric tree cabins and oating cabins for couples or families. No mains water or electricity. www.cabanesdesgrandslacs.com. Also www.cabanesdesgrandsreflets.com at Joncherey.

From France Today magazine