Battant (Besançon)

Battant is one of the oldest parts of Besançon, Doubs, France, and has been under architectural protection since 1964.

It is situated on the right bank of the river Doubs, north of the ox-bow that encircles the center of the city.

A bridge across the Doubs joins the two quarters Battant and La Boucle (The Oxbow), via the Vauban quay and Jouffroy d'Abbans Place.

The inhabitants of Battant are known as Bousbots, which recalls the resistance that the grape growers of the district gave to the attempted seizure of the city by the Huguenots of Montbéliard on the night of 20–21 June 1575.

For centuries, a Roman bridge between Battant and Besançon provided the only access to the city proper.

Battant bridge and the church, 2007.
The Battant Bridge and the Church of La Madelaine: postcard dating to July 1906.
The Battant bridge with the flags of Besançon, France, and Europe, August 2007.
Pelote Tower.
Montmart Tower.