Dole: Distance 52km, drive cross-country 1h

Dole is my favourite town!
Dole, the former capital of Franche-Comté, has everything I associate with France:
The old town with its winding alleys, the water with its lock, harbour and park,
typical French restaurants and bistros in the old town and on the waterfront, museums, the market hall,
the hilly terrain from 196-341 metres above sea level - it's all a part of Dole.

Dole is entirely picturesque, surprisingly modern, not polished, elegant but with patina.
On foot, you simply move to the canal, between this old houses and to the
Notre-Dame collegiate church from the XVIth century.
Idyllic, romantic, picturesque, but also the focus of many ancient wars, battles and sieges.
Everyone was here: the Romans, the Templars, the Dukes of Burgundy, the Cardinal, the cruel Barbarossa.
Dole was a great commercial and craft centre in the twelfth century,
In 1323, the daughter of King Philip of Spain was married here.

The old town is listed, proud of heritage, but quite unpretentious.
To get to know the city better and find the nooks and crannies, it is the best to follow the
"Circuit du Chat Perché".
The description and map are available at the Hello Dole Tourist Office, 6 Place Jules Grevy, 39100 Dole,
Coordinates: 47.094964, 5.496436.
Or you can let yourself and drift like me: just follow the kittens on the ground.

The market hall in the centre, the "Marche Couvert de Dole" hall is a good starting point vis à vis Notre-Dame,
to find the "Circuit du Chat Perché".

The market hall is a focal point for good, fresh food.
Opening hours of the market hall:
Tue - Tues 07:00 - 13:00
Thu - Thurs 07:00 - 13:00
Fri - Fri 14:00 - 19:00
Sat - Sat 07:00 - 13:30
Tuesdays are not so busy, and the hall empties out around midday.
Sometimes you will find a market extension between Halle and Notre-Dame.

In Dole you will find many old buildings.
The former Hôtel-Dieu, originally a hospital, now houses a media library/museum,
and whose courtyard is architecturally splendid with its archways.

The Collège de l'Arc, now a grammar school, the Carmelite convent, the Jesuit chapel,
the Law Courts (former Franciscan monastery) or the patrician houses of the Froissard and Champagney.
The house where Louis Pasteur was born is now a museum dedicated to the life and scientific work of the famous scientist.
of the famous scientist.

Those who know us know that we are always drawn to the water.

The small, romantic promenade that runs along the Tanneurs canal, tempts you to stroll and linger.
The Canal Tanneurs is at the foot of the district where Louis Pasteur was born in 1822.
The canal was the territory of the tanners.
Today, fortunately, there are no more tanners there, but there are a few restaurants on the narrow bank and big fish in the canal.
With a lot of panache, they find a table by the water, it's worth booking enough in advance.

At noon there is food from 12:00 onwards, after 14:00 it is closed until the evening.

I can highly recommend the area between the port and the old town along the Doubs.
We like to be in this beautiful place. The harbour is laid out like a park, the "Passerelle du Perlot" is decorated with flowers.
From the passerelle across the canal, the view opens onto the harbour and the old town up to the church.
Coordinates: 47.090975, 5.496225

You pass a lock and enjoy the canal with the avenue of plane trees.

We enjoyed this trip very much and then we followed the water by foot. 

Region and France as a destination: www.france.fr