Besnard is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:

• Charlotte Besnard (1854–1931), born Charlotte Dubray, a French sculptor
• David Besnard (born 1977), Australian racing driver
• Elena Samokysh-Sudkovskaya (née Besnard), Russian painter and illustrator
• Florent Besnard (born 1984), French footballer
• Gérard Besnard (1945–2026), French cyclist
• Gustave Besnard (1833–1903), French admiral and naval minister
• Jacques Besnard, French entertainer
• Jean-Louis Besnard (1734–1791), Canadian fur trader
• Katty Besnard, musician
• Lucien Besnard, French playwright
• Marie Besnard (1896–1980), French poisoner
• Nicole Besnard (1928–2017), French actress
• Paul-Albert Besnard (1849–1934), French painter
• Philippe Besnard (1885–1971), French sculptor
• Pierre Besnard (1886–1947), French revolutionary syndicalist
• René Besnard, French politician
• Wladimir Besnard (1890–1960), French biologist and oceanographer