France Holiday Ideas: With wide-open spaces, fresh air, great food and plenty to do, Franche-Comté is pure escapism just a short plane or train ride away.

Home to breathtaking scenery, flowing rivers and charming bed and breakfasts all just an hour’s plane journey away from the UK, Franche-Comté is the ideal getaway for a rejuvenating weekend break to France.

Untried French Regions - Franche-Comté Travel Guide: Salins Les Bains Spa Breaks

The first stop on your itinerary in the area should be the spa town of Salins Les Bains. A favourite with French spa goers, Salins les Bains has naturally salty water renowned for its soothing and calming properties.

Situated in the heart of the town, the spa is renowned for its range of hydrotherapy treatments including hydro bath massages, facials, cocoa and tea wraps and it is possible to buy creams made from the local water.

Franche-Comté Travel Guide: Shopping in Franche-Comté

Beautiful and quaint, Franche-Comté’s capital, Besançon (pictured), is also a great shopping spot. Head for the town centre for all the main French shops to get a quintessential piece of “Gallic chic” before heading home.

Franche-Comté Travel Guide: Best Food and Restaurants in Franche-Comté

A trip to France is not complete without glorious French food, and Franche-Comté is no exception to this rule. The area is a bit of a foodie breeding ground as this is the birthplace of Michelin star celebrity chef Raymond Blanc.

Gastro-shopping can start with the area’s cheeses including Comté, Morbier and Mont d’Or, which are best, teamed with the local wines such as Vin Jaune or Vin de Paille. Visitors can fine-tune their knowledge of local wines at wine-tasting courses at Arbois’ Château Pécault. 

For something a bit stronger, travellers can opt for Absinthe, which originates from the area. A less potent version of the “green fairy” is nowadays produced in the region. Absinthe fans can head to the museum or take part in the festival dedicated to the tipple favoured by the likes of Johnny Depp and Marilyn Manson. 

Franche-Comté Travel Guide: Traditional Franche-Comté Sweets and Chocolate

Franche-Comté’s offerings for sweet tooth travellers are just as good, with the area producing traditional lemonade and toffees.

Chocoholics will have all their cravings satisfied at the Hirsinger Chocolate shop in Arbois. Voted best craftsman in France, Edouard Hirsinger has recently launched the concept of “Live Chocolates”. Produced from the purest ingredients, this chocolate has a very short shelf life and cannot be stored in sub-zero temperatures, ensuring the best quality and taste without the use of any chemicals. Chocolates also vary depending on the season. For the summer, customers can get their teeth into the fresh aroma of a lime and coriander or a mint chocolate. In winter offerings include saffron and almond chocolate or cinnamon chocolate, both ideal for a sweet treat on a cold night!

Franche-Comté Travel Guide: Active Breaks 

Franche-Comté’s stunning countryside and mountains provide a fabulous setting for any outdoor pursuits. A trip to the region is a great opportunity to try Nordic Walking, the new form of walking using poles. This demanding exercise is an excellent way to tone up and burn calories while taking in the scenery.

In winter, dog-sledging trips in the Jura Mountains are a must. Just a short induction is required, and excursions in Franche-Comté’s winter wonderland lasting from a few hours to a few days are available.

Franche-Comté Travel Guide: French Music Festivals

Whilst many visitors will travel to Franche-Comté to get a break from city life many others will make their way to the area to attend local music festivals. One of the most established rock and pop music festivals in France, Les Eurockéennes takes place every July in the North East corner of the region.

Franche-Comté Travel Guide: Franche-Comté Accommodation at The Château de Germigney

Located only ten minutes away from Salins les Bains, The Château de Germigney is an ideal base to make the most of the spa. A former holiday home to the French aristocracy, this stylish Relais &Château property features 20 sumptuous rooms and a Michelin star restaurant serving mouth-watering gourmet delights.

This is a great opportunity to try some of the best local dishes in the Château’s grand surroundings. Before dinner, guests at the property have the opportunity to cool down and take a dip in the Château’s eco-pool.

Franche-Comté Travel Guide: Eco Chic

Green is big in Franche-Comté, the area has more trees than anywhere else in France and is easily accessible by train from the UK, making a great option for environmentally conscious travellers.

An eco break to Franche-Comté is the chance to get away from it all, but also book in one of the region’s eco chic properties. One of the best examples is the Maison At Home bed & breakfast which combines a cutting-edge décor with green credentials including solar panels and rain water recycling.

Visit www.franche-comte.org