FrancheComté

Franche-Comté, meaning “Free County,” was a former administrative region of eastern France. From 1956 until 2016 it comprised four departments—Doubs, Jura, Haute-Saône, and Territoire de Belfort—with Besançon as its capital. In 2016 it merged with Burgundy to form the larger region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.

Geographically, Franche-Comté lies along the eastern edge of the country, bordering Switzerland. The western part sits in the Saône valley and the northern part reaches into the Jura mountains. The Doubs river, which runs through Besançon, and the Belfort area mark the main hydrographic features.

Historically, the area was known as the Free County of Burgundy, a part of the Holy Roman Empire. It passed under Habsburg control and was ceded to France after the Treaty of Nijmegen in 1678. It developed as a French region from the mid-20th century before its 2016 reorganisation.

Economy and culture: Franche-Comté has a long watchmaking tradition centered in Besançon, with Montbéliard also associated with industry. The region is the home of Comté cheese produced in the Jura and Doubs. Dole, birthplace of Louis Pasteur, and the citadel and historic towns contribute to its cultural appeal. Tourism focuses on natural parks, the Jura mountains, and historic architecture.