Cycling & running events in Besançon, 2026

Besançon Training Notes

Running: Locals run the Doubs first, because la Boucle gives you easy base miles without leaving town. The loop runs 5 km between the Doubs quays and the Bois de Chamars. The loop is 54 km with 110 m of gain, Citadelle views, and enough bite for short intervals. TEAM Rrun Besançon meets every Thursday at 7:00 PM in front of the store. Trail des forts de Besançon is the anchor event here. Ekiden Grandes Heures Nature adds the Chaudanne punch.

Cycling: Local riders follow the Doubs when they want Z2 and no drama. Eurovélo 6 gives the clean river line, and the 11-km stretch leading to Avanne-Aveney stays easy enough for anyone. R.ride des forts and La Flèche Bisontine give the local targets when you want something sharper than café miles. The climbs sit around Chaudanne and toward the Jura Mountains to the east. Riders use Assaut de Chaudanne and Double Assaut de Chaudanne when the legs need work. Locals talk less about crit or cyclocross here and more about forts, river roads, and steady gran fondo legs.

Season: July is the warm month, and the city averages 19°C then. Summer keeps the Doubs paths, Chamars Promenade, Jardins de la Gare-d'Eau, and Forest of Chailluz in play for both easy days and longer aerobic work. Locals start earlier when the day gets bright, then keep the evening club rhythm. Winter changes the feel more than the map. January averages 3°C, so runners stay close to the city centre or pick marked routes, and riders lean harder on river Z2 when the climbs feel cold. The trails still sit there, but the forts feel tougher.