The Free Imperial City of Besançon is a self-governing city that is part of the Holy Roman Empire.From 1184 until 1654, the City of Besançon is a free imperial city (Freie Reichsstadt) as shown by the coat of arms until today and called Bisanz.

It starts as a prince-bishopric, an ecclesiastical state in the Holy Roman Empire.

At first it is governed by the archbishop of Besançon, although later most of this power is taken by a council within the town.

It comprises only a tiny area around the city of Besançon in the Franche-Comté and for a large part of the time is in effect controlled by the dukes of Burgundy, then the Habsburgs.

Finally, it loses its imperial status, but remains a free city.