Audio Guide of Porte Noire

As a historic monument located on a public street (Rue de la Convention), Porte Noire is accessible **24 hours a day** all year round. You can easily reach it on foot from the city center as you head toward Saint-Jean Cathedral.

The visit is completely **free**. You do not need to buy tickets or make reservations, since it is an open-air Roman triumphal arch that forms part of the freely accessible urban heritage in Besançon.

To calmly observe the architectural details and reliefs, we recommend spending between **15 and 20 minutes**. It is a quick but rewarding stop, ideal to combine with a walk toward the Citadel or the nearby cathedral.

This Gallo-Roman triumphal arch dates from the 2nd century AD, probably erected in honor of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Its importance lies in being one of the few Roman remains still standing in the region; it is called 'Black' because of the dark patina that time and oxidation formed on the stone over the centuries.

Spring and summer are ideal because of the weather, but we recommend going in the **morning or early afternoon** on a sunny day. Natural light at that time best highlights the worn reliefs in the stone, allowing you to better appreciate the carved mythological scenes.

Yes, the monument can be viewed from street level, which is paved and allows wheelchair access. However, keep in mind that it is located in the old town, where some nearby streets may have uneven cobblestones or gentle slopes.

It is located in a strategic spot: right next to it you will find the magnificent **Saint-Jean Cathedral** and **Square Castan** with its archaeological ruins. In addition, it is the natural starting point for the climb to the impressive Citadel of Besançon.

Since the reliefs are high up and weathered, I advise you to bring binoculars or use your camera’s zoom to appreciate the figures. Also, to truly understand what you are seeing, it is vital to bring a specialized audio guide that tells you the story behind each stone.