Besançon - Porte Noire

Founded in a loop of the Doubs River, the town played an important role during the Roman Empire period under the name of Vesontio.

Since 1032 Besançon and the entire County of Burgundy became part of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation. Archbishop Hugo von Salins, with imperial support, became ruler of the city, which he led into a period of prosperity. After his death in 1066, however, it falls into a long crisis caused by succession struggles. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the population defied the power of the archbishops and finally gained their municipal independence in 1290. Besançon retained the status of a free city for almost 400 years. The Free Counts of Burgundy, who had gained dominion over Franche-Comté, became the protector of the Free City, which prospered during this period. Louis XI confirmed the town charter in early 1481 and ordered the university to be transferred from Dole to Besançon.

With the beginning of the Renaissance, Franche-Comté fell back to the German Empire. Emperor Charles V fortified Besançon and made the city a bulwark for his empire.

The Porte Noire is a Roman triumphal arch. It is dated to the reign of the emperor Marcus Aurelius. It is believed that the depictions of war show the victories of his co-emperor Lucius Verus in the Roman–Parthian War of 161–166.

Under the Merovingian dynasty, the arch was used as a fortification. Originally brightly colored, the arch was blackened by centuries of fire and has been known by its current name since the 11th century.