Les gens sur le banc
Les gens sur le banc is a sculpture group in Dole's Old Town, depicting people on a bench. Many visitors join them for a photo.Our Tip: The light is best in the morning or late afternoon.
France
Dole
CityCulture
Dole, on the Doubs in the Jura department of Franche-Comté, was capital of the Free County of Burgundy until the 17th century. In the old town, you'll find narrow streets, canals, and bourgeois houses.
by Felix Gillen
Dole, on the Doubs in the Jura department of Franche-Comté, was capital of the Free County of Burgundy until the 17th century. In the old town, you'll find narrow streets, canals, and bourgeois houses. Above the rooftops, the 73-meter-high tower of the Collégiale Notre-Dame rises, a 16th-century church. Louis Pasteur was born here, his birthplace now a museum. Along the Canal des Tanneurs, the old tanners' quarter called 'Petite Venise,' and on the banks of the Doubs, it's peaceful. At the weekly market, you'll find regional products. Spring and autumn are mild and less crowded.
Sights in Dole
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Le Prelot
Le Prélot is a green space on the edge of Dole's old town, with old trees and walking paths. It also houses the clubhouse of the city's traditional archery society. The park is a quiet place for a break away from the alleys.Our Tip: It's especially quiet here in the early morning.
Pont Raynaud-III
The Pont Raynaud-III is a stone arch bridge, whose origins date back to the 12th century. It is named after Count Renaud III of Burgundy, under whom Dole gained importance in the Middle Ages. It is located in the tanners' quarter by the water, near the Canal des Tanneurs. From here, you can gaze upon old houses on the bank and the tower of the Collégiale Notre-Dame.Our Tip: The light is best for photos in the early morning or late afternoon. From the bridge, a walk along the canal is worthwhile.
Fontaine à l'Enfant
The Fontaine à l'Enfant is a small fountain in the old town of Dole featuring the figure of a child. It lies in the quarter below the Collégiale, not far from Louis Pasteur's birthplace, and is one of the city's many fountains.Our Tip: In the early morning, it's quiet here, the soft light is perfect for photos.
Collégiale Notre-Dame de Dole
The Collégiale Notre-Dame de Dole was rebuilt in the 16th century after the troops of Ludwig XI. had devastated the city. The building combines Late Gothic with Renaissance influences and was the main church of the city when Dole was the capital of the Free County of Burgundy.In the three-aisled interior, you will see vaults, chapels from various eras, and colorful stained-glass windows. The large 18th-century organ by German organ builder Karl Joseph Riepp is well-known, featuring around 3500 pipes and heard during concerts. The 73-meter-high bell tower dominates the city skyline.Our Tip: Plenty of light streams through the windows in the morning. For information on whether tower climbs are offered, inquire at the tourist office. A good photo of the church can be taken from the banks of the Canal des Tanneurs.
City walks in Dole
Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.
Dole's Historic Treasures: A Walk Through Pasteur's Birthplace
Discover Dole, the charming town in Franche-Comté, on a two-hour walk. From majestic Gothic architecture to picturesque canals, immerse yourself in the rich history and unique beauty of Louis Pasteur's birthplace. An ideal walk for getting to know the main sights and the special atmosphere of Dole.
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Dining & Drinks
Dining & Drinks
Dole lies at the transition to the Jura, and this shows on the menus: mountain cheese, sausage, and the region's unusual wines.
Comté
The large mountain cheese made from raw milk matures between four and over 24 months. It is France's most produced AOP cheese and comes from the Jura Massif east of the city.
Vin jaune and wines from the Jura
The yellow Savagnin wine matures six years under a yeast veil and tastes nutty and oxidative. It is bottled in the 62-centiliter Clavelin bottle.
Saucisse de Morteau
The smoked sausage from Haut-Doubs is smoked over softwood and served with lentils or potatoes.
Coq au vin jaune
The region's celebratory dish, chicken in yellow wine with morels and cream, features on the menus of traditional local establishments.
Dole's Historic Heritage and Architecture
Dole was the capital of the Free County of Burgundy until its conquest by Louis XIV in the 17th century. This era continues to shape the cityscape and identity to this day.The central structure is the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame, rebuilt in the 16th century after the forces of Louis XI ravaged the city in 1479. It blends late Gothic forms with early Renaissance elements and dominates the skyline with its 73-meter bell tower.The Old Town retains a medieval street plan with narrow alleys and bourgeois houses from the 15th to 18th centuries, bearing witness to its role as a trade and judicial center. The Canal des Tanneurs, with its tanner houses, recalls an ancient craft.Louis Pasteur’s birthplace is now a museum dedicated to the life and work of the scientist. The Musée des Beaux-Arts, housed in the former Pavillon des Officiers, exhibits art from antiquity to the present. Dole was a university town until 1691, when the institution was relocated to Besançon.
Exploring locally
Dole lässt sich aufgrund seiner kompakten Größe hervorragend zu Fuß erkunden, insbesondere das historische Zentrum. Für weitere Strecken oder die Erkundung der näheren Umgebung bietet sich das lokale Busnetz an, oder man nutzt ein Fahrrad, um entlang des Canal du Rhône au Rhin zu radeln. Die Stadt ist zudem gut an das regionale Bahnnetz angebunden und dient als idealer Ausgangspunkt für Erkundungen der Region Franche-Comté.
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