Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Montbéliard, France

If Montbéliard in Doubs appears distinct from a typical French town, it is because it was not officially French until the Revolution. Previously, it belonged to the Duchy of Württemberg, and this German influence is still evident today. As the population expanded in the early 1600s, Montbéliard underwent redevelopment by a Swabian master architect, resulting in many of the houses, churches, and engineering marvels that persist today.

Automobile enthusiasts will find interest in Sochaux, located nearby, as it is the birthplace of Peugeot. The Peugeot Museum offers an impressive journey through the brand’s modest beginnings, while its factory—France’s largest and most advanced automotive plant—is accessible for tours.

Let us delve into the most notable attractions in Montbéliard:

1. Château de Montbéliard

A castle has stood majestically on this crag since the 900s, overlooking the confluence of the Allan and Lizaine Rivers.

Significantly evolved over the centuries, the structure is now a complex of interconnecting rooms, primarily from the 1700s.

The exterior retains its oldest features, represented by the two prominent circular towers from the 1400s, each adorned with lanterns.

However, the true significance of this building lies in its historical representation, serving as the seat of the Dukes of Württemberg and hosting notable figures such as Margravine Friederike of Brandenburg-Schwedt.

She is a direct ancestor of several reigning monarchs today, including the current Queens of England and Denmark and the Kings of the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, and Spain.

2. Château de Montbéliard’s Museums

The château is home to two museums. The larger one is the Musée Cuvier, named after Georges Cuvier, a native of Montbéliard and a pioneer in palaeontology.

Visitors will explore his office and gain insight into his work, examining finds from numerous archaeological sites in the region. Highlights include fossils of dinosaurs, mammoths, prehistoric bears, and remnants of Neanderthals.

Additionally, Gallo-Roman artefacts—such as jewellery, statuettes, and fragments of mosaics and frescoes—are on display.

The Musée de Pays de Montbéliard focuses on the region’s intricate history and introduces Heinrich Schickhardt, responsible for the enhancement of both the château and the town during the early 17th century.

3. Schickhardt’s Montbéliard

Heinrich Schickhardt, an architect and polymath active around the early 17th century, is often referred to as the “Swabian Leonardo da Vinci.” As the population of Montbéliard surged with the arrival of Huguenot refugees, he was recruited to develop a new urban plan along with various construction projects exemplifying Italian Renaissance design.

This architectural legacy remains visible today, and Schickhardt is a key reason Montbéliard has achieved the distinguished “Pays d’Art et d’Histoire” designation.

The local tourist office has established a three-kilometer walking trail throughout the town, featuring informative boards detailing his contributions to constructing the citadel, churches, and the Ferme de la Souaberie mansion (currently serving as a school).

4. Musée Beurnier-Rossel

The grand 18th-century Hôtel Beurnier-Rossel houses a museum spanning three floors that reveals the history of the Montbéliard region and its principality.

It showcases numerous personal effects of the aristocratic Beurnier-Rossel family, including portraits and furnishings from their private living quarters.

Visitors can admire intricately inlaid furniture—such as desks, drawers, and cabinets—from the 18th century, expertly crafted by the esteemed Couleru workshop.

The museum also features toys, a tiled stove, music boxes, a library, and Protestant religious artifacts, providing a glimpse into the lives of affluent residents in historical Montbéliard.

5. Près-La-Rose

This 10-hectare park is situated at the tip of a peninsula formed by the Allan River and the Canal du Rhône au Rhin, and serves a scientific purpose.

In addition to being a tranquil “green lung” featuring waterside pathways, Près-La-Rose is adorned with installations designed to engage the intellect. Among its 100 different tree species, one can find sundials, a Foucault pendulum, and massive insect sculptures.

Among its many attractions, the Fontaine de Galilée stands out. This polished granite sphere, weighing 1,500 kg, can be rotated by hand while resting on a thin layer of water, effectively reducing friction.

6. Pavillon des Sciences

The exploration continues at this science center, also located within Près-La-Rose.

The facility collaborates with the Cité des Sciences in Paris to present temporary exhibitions covering diverse topics such as food chemistry, renewable energy, and the interplay of light and shadow.

Moreover, there are engaging laboratories conducted several times a year for inquisitive young minds.

This pavilion also hosts two permanent zones: La Forêt Mystérieuse, showcasing the flora and fauna of the Franche-Comté region, and L’Ile de la Découverte, an educational play area for younger visitors, encouraging them to utilize their senses to discover treasures.

7. Temple Saint-Martin

The presence of Protestant places of worship serves as a clear indicator of Montbéliard’s historical separation from the Republic of France until the Revolution.

Temple Saint-Martin holds significant importance as it was also designed by Heinrich Schickhardt, showcasing his favored Tuscan Renaissance style. Constructed in the early 17th century, it stands as the largest Protestant church in France.

Take a moment to admire the exterior, which artfully combines white Alsatian limestone and pink sandstone, complemented by pilasters and pediments that evoke antiquity.

The interior is modest yet notable, featuring an 18th-century organ, a gilded altar, and a ceiling fresco of the Good Shepherd, painted during the 1600s.

8. Musée de l’Aventure Peugeot

The Peugeot Museum provides fascinating insights into the origins of the company, which dates back to 1810, a time before the automobile was conceived.

While many recognize Peugeot as a bicycle manufacturer, few are aware that the company initially produced coffee grinders. This history is thoroughly explored within the museum.

Visitors can observe early grinders, alongside approximately 130 bicycles that hark back to the 19th century.

The exhibition also includes roughly 130 vehicles, featuring several exceptionally vintage models such as the Type 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10, all housed in a Belle Époque-style glass pavilion.

9. FC Sochaux-Montbéliard

The Peugeot group founded the local football club, which dominated the early stages of French professional football.

Sochaux was one of the founding members of the French first division and has spent more time in the top tier than any other team.

Their most recent participation in Ligue 1 concluded in 2014, when they were relegated to Ligue 2, where they currently maintain a solid mid-table standing.

Matches at the Stade Auguste-Bonal rarely sell out, making it easy to obtain tickets throughout the season.

Furthermore, there exists a potential opportunity to witness future football talents, as Sochaux has produced international stars such as Euro-winning Bernard Genghini and current Barcelona defender Jérémy Mathieu.

10. PSA Factory Visit

The Pays de Montbéliard tourist office coordinates tours of the PSA Sochaux Plant.

This experience should not be missed, as the Peugeot-Citroën factory is recognized as the largest in France and one of the most technologically sophisticated in Europe.

This facility currently assembles the 308, 3008, and 5008 models. Moreover, it serves as the company’s center for research, development, and experimentation, allowing visitors to glimpse the future of automotive innovation.

Tour availability spans from Monday to Friday, with multilingual options, lasting two hours—90 of which are dedicated to exploring the factory floor.

11. Théâtre Gallo-Romain de Mandeure

Adjacent to the Doubs River, not far south of Montbéliard, lies a Gallo-Roman theatre from the 1st century.

This site originally belonged to a port town situated along the river and remained concealed for centuries until its discovery in 1819. The site’s dimensions are astonishing; with a diameter of 142 meters, the theatre accommodated up to 18,000 spectators, positioning it among the largest Roman theatres in France.

The seating tiers naturally utilize the hillside’s slant and were constructed partially on bedrock and partially with their own masonry foundations.

12. Église du Sacré-Cœur d’Audincourt

Additionally on the Doubs to the southeast of Montbéliard is a 20th-century church that merits attention.

Constructed in the 1940s, it arose in a neighborhood that developed alongside the local automotive industry.

This church is exceptional due to the contribution of artist Fernand Léger, who designed its 17 exquisite stained glass windows.

These windows employ abstract symbolism to depict various stages of the Passion and have even been featured on French postage stamps.

The master glassmaker Jean René Bazaine fabricated these windows following Léger’s designs, also creating the vibrant mosaic at the entrance.

13. Église Saint-Maimbœuf

Montbéliard’s principal Catholic church, though more modern than it appears, features Neo-Renaissance architectural influences from the mid-19th century.

It occupies the site of an older church that had been established here since at least the 1000s, which was visited by Pope Leo IX to officiate the marriage of his cousin, then the Count of Montbéliard.

This newer construction has since earned the designation of an official French historic monument, notable for its tall and slender bell tower.

Visitors may explore the interior, appreciating details such as the barrel-vaulted ceiling, the oak altarpiece, the ornate organ case, and paintings illustrating the Annunciation and the Martyrdom of St Maimbœuf.

14. Marché de Noël

Bringing warmth to the often harsh winters of eastern France, Christmas in Montbéliard is particularly enchanting: the illuminations are among the most captivating in the country, featuring whimsical decorations and approximately 60,000 bulbs illuminating the streets.

Located in the most prominent area of town, in front of the distinguished Temple Saint-Martin, lies the finest Christmas market in the region.

This market operates from November 25 to December 24, hosting over 160 artisans from Franche-Comté and beyond.

Children can enjoy a designated village with a mini-farm, while various aisles offer sustainable produce, regional delicacies, and traditional Christmas treats such as mulled wine and pain d’épices (gingerbread).

15. Covered Market and Local Specialities

Shopping at Les Halles in Montbéliard allows visitors to follow in the footsteps of countless locals, as this market has existed since the 1300s.

The current hall, a historic monument built across the 16th and 17th centuries, features Renaissance-style mullioned windows akin to other buildings in the town.

Be sure to visit the charcuterie counter to procure some saucisse de Montbéliard, a smoked sausage seasoned with cumin.

For those with a sweet inclination, the tutsché cake—a buttery brioche topped with a rich mixture of egg, sugar, and crème fraîche—is a must-try.

To experience local culinary offerings at a restaurant, consider deep-fried carp or petit salé aux lentilles (cured pork belly with lentils) for an authentic taste of the region.