Driving Geneva to Besancon
 

Hello Fellow Travellers ... This is my first question so hope I do it correctly.
We will be picking up a rental car from the French side of Geneva Airport ..... Our first stop is Besancon .We would prefer to stay within France to get to Besancon but if you suggest otherwise that's ok .... We would love some guidance on the best and easiest way to get their in a car ..... Please remember this will be our first drive in almost 2 years of driving on the left hand side .... My husband ,the driver, will be nervous initially.
I look forward to your advice.
Thanks in anticipation ......

I should have added ..... We don't like driving on Toll Roads.
Thanks .....

Before I spend any time doing some research and providing some recommendations - let me ask one question.

You are from New Zealand. Do you plan to arrive in Geneva from NZ, and then drive to Besanson on arrival day??? We've vacationed for 3 weeks in the Jura, and that area has many twisting & winding roads that I would not want to drive on if I were jet-lagged.

Stu Dudley

Also:

How much time have you allocated for this "drive"? There are some picturesque canyons and interesting villages to visit along the way - but if you only have 3 hrs to get to Besancon - then the options are limited.

Stu Dudley

Hi Stu .... No we will have arrived from Croatia so won't be jet lagged.
Even so I don't want my husband being thrown into the deepend by having a tough drive .... friends have suggested we drive through switzerland to Besancon but I thought that might have been difficult.
I look forward to your reply.
Regards Jan

I'll provide the star rating (* to ***) from the Burgundy/Jura Michelin Green Guide. In addition to the Green Guide, you'll need Michelin map #321 for the route to Besancon, and also sites & walking itineraries** for Besancon**. We've visited Besancon on 3 different occasions. Don't miss the Citadelle**

Driving from Geneva on the Swiss side would work - but it is not particularly scenic next to Lake Leman on #1 until you get to Nyon*, where you'll need to head into the mountains.

From Nyon* there is a route north, away from the lake that has some difficult road connections through Vich, Burtigny, & St George - until you get to the Valee de Joux** next to Lac de Joux. At Vallorbe, you'll need to drive into France along the N57 through Pontarlier. The drive to Pontarlier merits 0 Michelin stars, but there seems to be some "green shaded roads" (Michelin scenic roads - but no stars) along the way. Once past Pontarlier and on to Besancon on the N57, there doesn't seem to be much of interest. However, a little past Pontarlier and paralleling the N57 to the south , the D67 through the Vallee de la Loue** from Mouthier Haute Pierre* to Ornans* is a pretty drive. Both Mouthier* and Ornans* are interesting towns to explore. On the D67 just before Mouthier*, there is a canyon/gorge with a Belvedere lookout**. From Ornans, it's a short drive to Besancon. See the Michelin Green Guide for a description of the Loue River drive from La Main to Ornans. We visited this Loue Vallee section when we stayed in the region - but except for Ornans* - I don't remember much about it.

Stu Dudley