Besançon became part of the Holy Roman Empire in 1034 and in 1134 as the Archbishopric of Besançon it gained autonomy as an Imperial Free City under the Holy Roman Emperor.
Besançon became part of the Holy Roman Empire in 1034, along with the rest of Franche-Comté. In 1184 the city became the Archbishopric of Besançon, gaining autonomy as an Imperial Free City under the Holy Roman Emperor.