Our guide
Photo : © Samuel Carnovali
Craving wide open spaces, accessible mountains, iconic festivals and living history? Then you’ll love the Territoire de Belfort (90)! Just 2.5 hours from Paris by TGV, France’s smallest département is a compact blend of nature and culture. Nestled between the Vosges and the Jura, and bordering Alsace, Switzerland and Germany, it’s the perfect car-free escape packed with surprises.
Nature & gentle roaming: with over 1,000 km of marked trails, the Territoire de Belfort is a true hiker’s haven. From legendary routes like the GR5, the Camino de Santiago, or the Vosges Traverse, to gentler walks around lakes and forests, there’s something for every pace. On two wheels, choose from greenways, mountain biking trails, the climb to the Ballon d’Alsace (an official Historic Tour de France Route), or a cross-border adventure along the FrancoVéloSuisse cycle path.
Heritage & living culture: here, heritage comes with personality. Overlooking the town, the Lion of Bartholdi—voted France’s Favourite Monument in 2020—stands proudly beside the Belfort Citadel, a lasting symbol of resistance. Below, the city offers a rich cultural scene with its Museum of Modern Art, Puppet Theatre, and Forge Museum. The area also honours its industrial roots with the Japy saga and a military past told through 19 remarkably preserved forts.
Festivals & art de vivre: each summer, the Malsaucy peninsula rocks to the beat of Les Eurockéennes, one of Europe’s top music festivals. Prefer something quieter? Browse the local markets, enjoy a drink at a riverside guinguette, or follow one of the gourmet routes winding through the Vosges. And the next local star? The Ballon d’Alsace, soon to be recognised as a Grand Site de France.
Easily reached by TGV or TER, Belfort is the perfect hub for a car-free adventure:
Whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple, or with family, the Territoire de Belfort offers a “train + nature + culture” getaway where hikes, heritage and starlit concerts set the rhythm of southern Vosges living!