Besançon to Tournai: Ultimate Road Trip Guide

The drive from Besançon (47.2402° N, 6.0210° E) to Tournai (50.6077° N, 3.3886° E) spans approximately 490 kilometers (304 miles) of varied European landscapes. The most efficient route uses the A36, A31, and A2 highways, taking roughly 4 hours and 45 minutes without stops. Historically, this corridor follows ancient trade routes connecting the Jura Mountains to the Flemish lowlands, passing through regions that were part of the medieval Duchy of Burgundy and later the Spanish Netherlands.

This guide answers how long to drive Besançon to Tournai, whether it is worth driving Besançon to Tournai, and provides the best stops Besançon to Tournai. For more on discovering hidden gems, see our article on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Departing Besançon, you’re immediately in the rolling Jura foothills. The A36 climbs through the Doubs River valley, with limestone cliffs and vineyards near Arbois. After Dijon, the landscape flattens into the Burgundy plains, known for mustard and wine. Further north, you enter the Champagne region (vines and open skies) and then the industrial northeast transitioning to Belgian farmland.

• Natural highlights: Jura wine route (off A36 exit 3), Lac de Saint-Point (15 min detour near Pontarlier).
• UNESCO sites: Short detour to Vézelay (Basilica, UNESCO) off A31 exit 22, or the Belfries of Belgium in Tournai (UNESCO).
• Local goods: Comté cheese in Jura, Burgundy wines, Chaource cheese, Belgian chocolates in Tournai.

For authentic finds, visit the weekly market in Dijon (Saturdays) or the fromageries in Langres. Roadside stands near Beaune sell honey and lavender. The change from limestone to chalk soils is visible near Reims; sunsets are spectacular over the Champagne vineyards.

The route is almost entirely on tolled highways (A36, A31, A2) with well-maintained surfaces. Toll costs total around €35-€45 for a standard car. Fuel stations are spaced every 30-40 km along the highways, with diesel and 95 unleaded widely available. In France, fuel is typically cheaper at hypermarkets (e.g., Leclerc, Carrefour) just off exits.

• A36: From Besançon to Dijon (100 km) – winding hilly terrain.
• A31: Dijon to Nancy (200 km) – mostly flat, agricultural.
• A2: Nancy to Valenciennes (150 km) – industrial then rolling fields.
• Last 40 km to Tournai: via A7 (Belgium) – urban.

Tolls are automatic (credit card or cash). Speed limits: 130 km/h on freeways, 110 km/h on dual carriageways, 50 km/h in towns. Traffic cameras are common; Waze alerts are reliable. Rest areas (aires) occur every 10-15 km with restrooms and vending machines.

Highways are in excellent condition, but beware of fog near the Meuse River (south of Nancy) and crosswinds on the A2 between Cambrai and Valenciennes. Night illumination is good on the A31 but weak on the A36. Keep a safety triangle and hi-vis vest (mandatory in France and Belgium).

• Family stops: Parc de l'Auxois (A36 exit 24) – animal park; Taittinger cellars in Reims (A4 detour); Bellewaerde Park near Ypres (close to Tournai).
• Pet-friendly: Aire de la Lanterne (A31, south of Langres) has a dog-walking area. Café des Sports in Vouziers welcomes dogs.
• Hidden off-route: Abbaye de Fontenay (UNESCO, 10 min from A6), village of Châtillon-sur-Seine with a museum.

For fatigue management: Take breaks every 2 hours at rest areas with picnic tables. Recommended spots: Aire de la Bresse (km 100 from Besançon) for a 20-min nap, Aire de Sommesous (km 300) with a café. Use the app “Park4Night” for safe parking if needed. Is it worth driving Besançon to Tournai? Absolutely – the cultural variety and landscapes make it a journey worth savoring.