Le Sauvage
Serene, monastic-meets-contemporary. Understated elegance, very quiet, genuinely historic character without being fussy or overdone.
Reserve the restaurant well in advance — it fills up, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings
Why It Matters
One of the very few hotels in eastern France occupying a genuine 19th-century convent that also housed a medieval monastery before that. Selected for both the Michelin Guide and Tablet Hotels. The on-site restaurant has a Michelin Guide listing (2025 France), and the Duplex Suite is set inside the former chapel.
A 4-star boutique hotel carved out of a 19th-century Poor Clares convent, sitting at the base of Vauban's Citadel in Besançon's old quarter. The name is a bit of a puzzle — there is nothing wild here — but the bones are extraordinary: vaulted ceilings, original parquet floors, a vast wooded park, and a west-facing terrace that catches the full sunset over the Doubs valley. Twenty-four rooms, a Michelin Guide-listed restaurant run by chef Hugo Mathieu, and a glass-roofed spa in the garden round out a property that punches well above its size.
Where You'll Stay
8 room types available
Classic Room
From EUR149 / nightA step up at 20m2, with a proper queen-size 160cm double bed. Still straightforward in layout but the extra size makes a real difference. Parquet floors and Italian shower — the same DNA as the Standard but with a bit more room to breathe.
Double (160cm) · 20 sqm
Comfort Room
From EUR155 / nightAt 25m2, this is the sweet spot for most guests. Double or twin configuration, Italian shower, and enough space for a proper desk setup. Good pick for a mid-week business stay or a leisurely weekend.
Double or Twin · 25 sqm
Duplex Suite
From EUR289 / nightThe showpiece. 67m2 spread across two levels inside the former chapel of the convent. Park and old town views, a large bathroom with both Italian shower and bathtub, a spacious living room with office area, two flat-screen TVs, Nespresso, and minibar. A sofa bed sleeps one or two additional guests. The chapel ceiling and architecture make this genuinely special rather than just big.
Double or Twin + Sofa Bed · 67 sqm
Family Room
From EUR195 / night30m2 with a double or twin adult bed plus a sofa bed for one or two children. Italian shower, garden view. The practical choice for families — the sofa bed keeps kids comfortable without needing a separate room.
Double or Twin + Sofa Bed · 30 sqm
Junior Suite
From EUR249 / night45m2 with a private balcony overlooking the park. Large double bedroom, a sofa bed for one or two children, and proper suite amenities: Nespresso machine, minibar, shower. The balcony is the real draw — one of the only rooms with direct outdoor space.
Double + Sofa Bed · 45 sqm
Luxe Room
From EUR185 / nightAt 30m2, these are the most spacious standard rooms. Double or twin configuration, Italian shower, and garden-level access in some units. The extra space means a sitting area, and park views make a real difference to the overall feel.
Double or Twin · 30 sqmStandard Room
From EUR129 / nightThe entry-level room at 17m2 — compact but well done. Parquet floors, a 140cm double bed, and an Italian walk-in shower. Showcases the architectural heritage of the convent without the space of the upper categories. Good for solo travellers or couples on a tighter budget who still want the atmosphere.
Double (140cm) · 17 sqmTriple Comfort Room
From EUR189 / nightThe triple configuration for three guests. Soundproofed, with a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with bath. Good for families travelling with one older child who needs their own bed.
TripleThe Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
The UNESCO-listed Vauban Citadel is roughly an 8-minute walk uphill from the hotel. One of Vauban's finest fortifications, with panoramic views over the Doubs river loop.
The hotel has dedicated meeting rooms and lounge spaces suitable for seminars, corporate events, or private receptions. The park and historic setting also accommodate outdoor events.
The hotel's large private wooded park is open to guests and is one of the more unusual features for a city-centre property in France. A genuine green space with mature trees, right within the old town ramparts.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
The hotel is accessible to guests with reduced mobility.
Dedicated seminar and event spaces within the historic building.
Available throughout the hotel.
On-site bar available to hotel guests, including the west-facing terrace for drinks.
Large, shaded private park within the property grounds. Uncommon for a city-centre hotel.
Outdoor terrace facing west, ideal for sunset views over the Doubs valley. Used for breakfast in fine weather.
Pets allowed at an additional fee of €20 per stay.
Gift vouchers available for hotel stays, restaurant, and spa experiences.
Available to hotel guests at additional cost.
Available at the property for guests.
On-site private, secured parking at €15 per vehicle per night. Reservation required.
BUILD YOUR LE SAUVAGE PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning