Dole travel guide

Visit Dole (Burgundy-Franche-Comté, France)

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The town of Dole is found in the Jura department, in the Burgundy-Franche-Comté region of eastern France, between Dijon and Besancon on the Doubs River. A small town that merits a wander, Dole was the nerve-centre of Franche-Comte until 1422, when the power was transferred to Besançon.

Exploring Dole

France This Way review: in recent years the town centre of Dole has been substantially improved and if you have not visitd for a few years we suggest you return!

It is the old town that is of interest to visitors, although we suggest you start a visit a little way from the collegiale and the town centre - on the other side of the river! The best view of the Collegiale Notre-Dame is from between the canal and the river below Dole, looking across the town and rooftops.

From here, continue to Dole tourist office at 6 Place Jules Grévy to ask for a map of the town and a route to follow as you explore.

Collegiale church in Dole, france

Collegiale Notre-Dame of Dole

The Collegiale-Notre-Dame is much the most important monument in Dole. It is found in the centre of the old town, and also dominates the skyline. Dating from the medieval period when Dole was the most important local centre (from 1386 - 1676), the building was constructed in gothic style over the course of much of the 16th century (1509 - 1586).

The collegiale has several notable highlights to discover. On the outside, it is the large belltower that you will notice first, and there also are a couple of entranceways of note, in particular the decorative western entrance added in 1565.

The greatest highlight inside Dole collegiale is just to the right of the altar - the Sainte Chapelle du Miracle de Faverney. Built in the early 17th century to house a relic that was miraculously saved from a fire at Faverney Abbey, the chapel is richly decorated in the renaissance style under a vaulted roof.

Also inside Dole Collegiale-Notre-Dame, as well as the main church itself, you can admire the substantial 18th century organ, and some decorative articles of the renaissance style. There are a great deal of stained glass windows (added 1840 - 1950 to replace missing original windows), while another highlight is the statue of the 'Virgin with Child'.

Note: Louis Pasteur was baptised here in 1823.

Elsewhere in Dole

The narrow streets of the old town in Dole, clustered around the Collegiale Notre Dame de Dole, contain many attractive houses dating from the middle ages onwards, and numerous shops and cafes, and it is a pleasant town to explore.

Among the most notable buildings are the Hôtel de Froissard on Rue Mont-Roland with an impressive facade and entrance and the imposing Hôtel-Dieu (ancient hospital) next to the Canal des Tanneurs on rue Bausonnet: both of these buildings date from the 17th century.

After exploring the streets around the collegiale you can continue to explore the part of the town along the canal, known as Little Venice. Louis Pasteur was born in Dole, and there is an informative museum about his works in the house where he was born near the canal.

Following the canalside walk behind Pasteur's house you can also see examples of early industry such as leather tanneries. At 77 rue Pasteur there is an entrance to an underground pathway and a charming small fountain called the Fontaine aux Lepreux (it is rather hard to find unless you follow the 'perched cat' signs...)

Another important museum in Dole is the Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeology, established 200 yers ago and now situated in an imposing 17th century building that was once the officers accommodation for Dole chateau. In the museu you can see a wide range of paintings and sculptues, mostly 19th century.

Street in Dole town centre

Attractions nearby

To the east of Dole there is a very large mixed deciduous forest, mostly oak, called the Chaux Forest, where you will find a wide range of walking and picnic possibilities.

To the north of the town we recommend a visit to the pretty village of Pesmes.

You can find more travel ideas in the Jura guide and the Franche-Comte guide.

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Pesmes

The quaint village of Pesmes is one of the prettiest in Franche-Comté and also has several individual places of interest

Pesmes guide

Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans

The Royal Saltworks at Arc-et-Senans is an entire factory and living spaces that were once the centre of the important local salt industry

Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans guide

Arbois

After exploring the old town centre in Arbois you can visit the scenic Cirque de Fer à Cheval nearby

Arbois guide

Salins-les-Bains

The salt mines at Salins-les-Bains operated from the 13th - 20th century and are now an important local attraction and a UNESCO world heritage site

Salins-les-Bains guide

Chateau-Chalon

One of the key reasons to visit the pretty village of Chateau-Chalon is its hilltop position with lovely views across the vineyards in the valley below

Chateau-Chalon guide