Besançon Population 2026
Besançon has a population of 128,426, making it the #32 biggest city in 🇫🇷 France, located in Bourgogne. Roughly 0.2% of France's population lives here. It is about 17× smaller than Paris, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
128,426
Rank in France
#32
Coordinates
47.25°N, 6.02°E
~300 m elevation · Europe/Paris
Distance to capital (Paris)
326 km
202 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Bourgogne
| City | Population | Rank in France |
|---|---|---|
| Dijon | 159,941 | #20 |
| Belfort | 54,562 | #97 |
| Chalon-sur-Saône | 47,251 | #133 |
| Nevers | 43,988 | #155 |
| Auxerre | 41,516 | #166 |
| Mâcon | 35,484 | #212 |
| Saint-Leu | 29,278 | #275 |
| Montbéliard | 28,865 | #284 |
Cities near Besançon
- Vesoul19,892 people · ~43 km away
- Dole25,878 people · ~44 km away
- Pontarlier20,313 people · ~46 km away
- Montbéliard28,865 people · ~66 km away
- Audincourt15,577 people · ~68 km away
- Lons-le-Saunier20,678 people · ~73 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Besançon?
Besançon has a population of 128,426 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #32 biggest city in France.
What region is Besançon in?
Besançon is located in Bourgogne, France.
Is Besançon the capital of France?
No, the capital of France is Paris, about 326 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.