Discovering Territoire de Belfort (Department 90)
Updated: Oct 8
Introduction
Tucked into the far east of France, Territoire de Belfort (Department 90) is the smallest department in mainland France. Part of the Bourgogne–Franche-Comté region, it sits close to both the Swiss and German borders, giving it an international feel while retaining a distinctly French character.
Unlike many rural French departments, Territoire de Belfort combines attractive countryside with a strong industrial economy, excellent transport links and easy access to major cities. It appeals to professionals working across borders, retirees who enjoy an active lifestyle, families seeking good services, and anyone looking for a quieter alternative to larger urban centres without feeling isolated.
At a Glance
Feature | Information |
Region | Bourgogne–Franche-Comté |
Historic name | Part of historic Alsace (remained French after 1871) |
Department number | 90 |
Department capital | Belfort |
Largest towns | Belfort, Delle, Valdoie, Beaucourt, Bavilliers, Offemont |
Population | Approximately 145,000 |
Area | Around 609 km² |
Climate | Semi-continental with warm summers and cold winters |
Best suited for | Families, professionals, retirees, commuters, outdoor enthusiasts |
Is a car recommended? | Yes, although Belfort itself has good public transport |
English-speaking community | Small but growing, particularly around international businesses |
Lifestyle summary | Small city convenience with countryside, mountains and cross-border opportunities |
Why Choose Territoire de Belfort?
Although often overlooked by overseas buyers, Territoire de Belfort offers an excellent quality of life. It combines modern infrastructure, natural beauty and economic opportunity in a compact department that is easy to explore.
Lifestyle
Life here feels balanced. Residents enjoy modern amenities while remaining close to forests, lakes and mountains. The pace is calmer than major French cities but busier than many rural departments.
Those moving here often appreciate having shops, healthcare, restaurants and cultural events nearby without heavy congestion.
Community
The department has a friendly local population and benefits from an international workforce thanks to engineering, manufacturing and nearby Switzerland.
While English is not widely spoken in everyday life, newcomers generally find local clubs, sports associations and community groups welcoming.
Scenery
The scenery is surprisingly varied.
You'll find:
Rolling countryside
Forested hills
Rivers and lakes
The foothills of the Vosges Mountains
Easy access to the Jura Mountains
Excellent walking and cycling routes
Autumn colours are particularly impressive.
Accessibility
One of the department's strongest advantages is its location.
Residents can easily reach:
Switzerland
Germany
Alsace
Burgundy
Lyon
Strasbourg
The nearby Swiss city of Basel opens up international travel opportunities.
Food
The department combines the traditions of Franche-Comté and nearby Alsace.
Expect:
Excellent cheeses
Charcuterie
Mountain dishes
Local beers
Seasonal produce
Traditional French bakeries
Culture
Belfort has a rich military history and hosts one of eastern France's largest music festivals.
Museums, theatres, concerts and local festivals provide year-round entertainment despite the department's small size.
Property
Property offers good value compared with neighbouring Switzerland and parts of Alsace.
Options include:
Village houses
Modern apartments
Family homes
Farmhouses
Renovation projects
New-build developments
Pace of Life
Territoire de Belfort suits people who enjoy staying active without living somewhere hectic.
The department offers:
Reliable services
Short commuting times
Plenty of green space
Easy access to larger cities
Territoire de Belfort Is It Right For You?
Lifestyle | Rating | Why |
Retirees | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Excellent healthcare and scenery, though winters can be cold. |
Families | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Good schools, sports facilities and family services. |
Second-home owners | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Attractive for those wanting easy access to eastern France and nearby countries. |
Entrepreneurs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Strong economy, industry and transport links create business opportunities. |
Remote workers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Reliable internet and excellent transport make hybrid working practical. |
Outdoor lifestyle | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Walking, cycling, skiing and nature are all close by. |
City lifestyle | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | Belfort offers city amenities, but this is not a major metropolitan area. |
Popular Places to Live
Belfort
The department's capital combines history with modern living.
Ideal for
Professionals
Families
Retirees
Advantages
Full range of services
Good public transport
Cultural events
Shopping
Healthcare
Things to consider
Busier than surrounding towns.
Apartments are more common than rural homes.
Delle
Located close to Switzerland.
Ideal for
Cross-border workers
Families
Advantages
Rail links
Border location
Growing economy
Things to consider
Property demand can be higher.
Beaucourt
A pleasant market town with industrial heritage.
Ideal for
Families
Retirees
Advantages
Local amenities
Friendly community
Affordable housing
Things to consider
Limited nightlife.
Valdoie
Situated just north of Belfort.
Ideal for
Commuters
Families
Advantages
Close to Belfort
Good schools
Green surroundings
Things to consider
More suburban than rural.
Bavilliers
Popular residential area.
Ideal for
Families
Professionals
Advantages
Quiet neighbourhoods
Easy access to Belfort
Things to consider
Mainly residential.
Offemont
A growing suburban community.
Ideal for
Young families
Retirees
Advantages
Modern housing
Local shops
Green spaces
Things to consider
Car useful for wider travel.
Giromagny
Gateway to the southern Vosges.
Ideal for
Outdoor enthusiasts
Retirees
Advantages
Beautiful scenery
Hiking
Cycling
Things to consider
Fewer employment opportunities.
Cost of Living
Compared with many parts of eastern France, Territoire de Belfort offers reasonable living costs.
Property affordability
Housing remains significantly more affordable than neighbouring Switzerland and many parts of Alsace.
Village homes often provide excellent value, while Belfort offers apartments suitable for a range of budgets.
Shopping
Residents benefit from:
Major supermarkets
Local food shops
Weekly markets
Shopping centres
Cross-border shopping is also common.
Utilities
Heating costs can be higher during the colder winters, particularly in older properties.
Modern homes generally offer good energy efficiency.
Eating Out
Restaurants range from traditional bistros to international cuisine.
Lunch menus often provide excellent value.
General value for money
Overall, the department offers good value thanks to:
Reasonable housing
Competitive local services
Excellent public facilities
Lower costs than nearby Switzerland
Healthcare
Healthcare provision is very good for a department of this size.
Main hospitals
The principal healthcare provider is:
Nord Franche-Comté Hospital (Trévenans)
Additional clinics and medical centres serve Belfort and surrounding towns.
Healthcare availability
Residents have access to:
GPs
Dentists
Physiotherapists
Pharmacies
Specialists
Access to specialists
Many specialist services are available locally, while larger hospitals in Besançon, Mulhouse and Strasbourg are within reasonable travelling distance.
Pharmacies
Every town has pharmacies, with larger towns offering extended opening hours.
General healthcare considerations
Healthcare standards are high.
Registering with the French healthcare system and finding a regular GP soon after arrival is advisable.
Education
Families have a good range of educational options.
Schools
The department has:
Nursery schools
Primary schools
Secondary schools
Sixth-form colleges
Colleges
Belfort forms part of the Université Marie et Louis Pasteur network (formerly associated with the University of Franche-Comté), alongside engineering and technology institutions including UTBM (Université de Technologie de Belfort-Montbéliard).
International options
There are no large international schools within the department itself, but bilingual and international education can be found in nearby Switzerland and Alsace.
Language schools
French language courses for newcomers are available through adult education providers and local associations.
Getting Around
Airports
The nearest airports include:
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg
Dole–Jura Airport
Strasbourg Airport (slightly further)
Swiss airports offer extensive international connections.
Rail
Belfort has excellent rail links, including TGV services connecting to Paris and other major cities.
Regional trains serve surrounding towns.
Roads
The A36 motorway provides excellent east-west access across the region.
Driving to Switzerland, Germany and Alsace is straightforward.
Public transport
Belfort has a reliable urban bus network.
Regional buses connect smaller communities.
Is a car recommended?
Yes.
While Belfort is walkable and well served by public transport, a car makes exploring the countryside and neighbouring regions much easier.
Weekly Markets
Town | Main Market Day |
Belfort | Wednesday & Saturday |
Delle | Saturday |
Beaucourt | Thursday |
Giromagny | Wednesday |
Valdoie | Friday |
Bavilliers | Friday (small local market) |
Local Food & Drink
Territoire de Belfort shares many culinary traditions with Franche-Comté and Alsace.
Specialities include:
Comté cheese
Morbier cheese
Mont d'Or (seasonal)
Cancoillotte cheese
Saucisse de Morteau
Saucisse de Montbéliard
Smoked meats
Trout
River fish
Tartes flambées
Local honey
Craft beer
Kirsch
Jura wines nearby
Things to Do
Historic sites
Lion of Belfort
Belfort Citadel
Old Town of Belfort
Fortifications designed by Vauban
Outdoor activities
Hiking
Mountain biking
Cycling
Trail running
Fishing
Winter sports nearby
Museums
Belfort History Museum
Museum of Modern Art
Industrial heritage museums
Festivals
Les Eurockéennes music festival
Christmas markets
Local food festivals
Summer cultural events
Nature
The department offers easy access to:
Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park
Lakes
Forests
Scenic viewpoints
Family attractions
Adventure parks
Swimming pools
Nature centres
Cycling trails
Wildlife areas
Good to Know Before You Move
Language
French is essential for everyday life. While some professionals speak English, learning French will make settling in much easier.
Rural living
Outside Belfort, villages are peaceful but often have fewer local services.
Internet
Most towns have reliable fibre broadband, with continuing expansion into rural areas.
Seasonal tourism
Tourism is present but not overwhelming, making the department feel authentic throughout the year.
Climate
Winters are colder and snowier than many parts of France.
Summers are generally warm without the extreme heat found in the south.
Community life
Joining local clubs, sports groups and associations is one of the quickest ways to integrate into the community.
Find Trusted English-Speaking Businesses
Whether you're living here, moving here, retiring here or simply spending part of the year here, finding reliable local services can make settling in much easier.
Biz Où? helps you discover trusted English-speaking businesses across France, including property professionals, tradespeople, accountants, healthcare providers, legal services, gardeners, cleaners, holiday services, financial advisers, pet care, marketing specialists and many more.
Every listing is designed to help you connect with businesses that understand the needs of English-speaking residents, making it easier to build your new life in one of France's most popular departments.
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