Summary of the Best Activities in Dole
Balancing on a limestone ridge above the River Doubs, Dole is a charming historical city located in the northern Jura Range.
Holy Roman Emperors and Counts of Burgundy resided in Dole, which fell under their jurisdiction until the region was annexed by Louis XIV in 1678. The historic heart of Dole features a labyrinth of narrow alleyways lined with Renaissance-style homes adorned with turrets and courtyards.
Exploring this area is an enjoyable experience, and it also happens to be the birthplace of Louis Pasteur, who grew up in modest circumstances in the tannery district beside the Canal du Rhône au Rhin.
France’s second-largest forest, the Forêt de Chaux, serves as Dole’s expansive backyard, filled with traces of traditional industries such as pottery, charcoal burning, and wood-cutting.
Let’s explore the best attractions in Dole:
1. Old Dole
The highlight of Dole is the town’s delightful disarray of stairways, fountains, passages, and winding streets.
The tall stone houses that line the streets date back to the 16th century, with around 20 of them recognized as official French historic monuments.
Be attentive, as you may occasionally glimpse through an archway into an inner garden or discover hidden treasures like the Fontaine aux Lepreux located on Rue Pasteur.
This picturesque street, where Louis Pasteur was born, may very well be the most attractive in the city, featuring a charming footbridge over the water, covered walkways, and a riverfront path adorned with flowers.
2. Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dole
Dole’s fine arts museum showcases archaeological discoveries from the region, alongside paintings and sculptures from France, Italy, and the Low Countries.
The archaeology galleries occupy the basement, where visitors can admire Roman sarcophagi, Merovingian stone carvings, and antiquities that date back to the Paleolithic period.
The upper levels house historical artworks that illustrate the wealth that circulated in Dole during the early modern period.
This collection includes works by Baroque masters such as Francesco Albani, Simon Vouet, Pieter van Boucle, the Master of Saint-Gilles, and Valerio Castello.
The top floor is dedicated to contemporary art, primarily from the Nouveau Réalisme movement, which emerged in the early 1960s.
3. Maison de Louis Pasteur
The esteemed microbiologist Louis Pasteur was born in this house near the canal in 1822. This neighborhood was known for its tanning industry, and his father’s old leatherworking tools can be found in the basement, as if he had just concluded his day’s work.
Within eight rooms, the exhibits provide insights into Pasteur’s background and approach to his work through art and symbolism.
Visitors will learn about his groundbreaking advancements in immunology, fermentation, and crystallography.
Additionally, there is a small collection of items belonging to Pasteur, including letters and instruments that were donated to the museum by his grandson in the 20th century.
4. Forêt de Chaux
If you seek unspoiled nature, Dole opens up to one of France’s largest forests.
This expansive forest spans over 25,000 hectares and has coexisted harmoniously with Dole and surrounding villages.
The forest supported numerous trades, including ironworking, glassmaking, and ceramics.
For those planning a hiking trip, navigating the forest is relatively straightforward, as eight Doric columns, each five meters tall, were set up along the main trails in 1826 to assist woodcutters in finding their way.
5. Hôtel-Dieu
If you visit Dole in summer, stop by the tourist office to inquire about tours of the 17th-century Hôtel-Dieu.
This former hospital, constructed in a Renaissance style, was the last significant building completed in Dole before the city became part of France.
It served as a hospital until 1992 and now houses the city’s archives and library.
Nevertheless, remarkable remnants from the hospital’s early years are preserved, including the kitchen, bakery, and fermentation room.
A highlight is the apothecary, featuring vaulted rooms equipped with wooden cabinets and marble fireplaces.
The apothecary contains over 150 locally crafted earthenware pots, used for various medicinal purposes.
6. Collégiale Notre-Dame
The bell tower of this church rising above the Doubs is an iconic image of Dole.
Constructed throughout the 1500s following Louis XI’s devastation of Dole during his campaign to conquer Franche-Comté, the church exemplifies a transition from Flamboyant Gothic architecture to Renaissance design.
No expense was spared on its lavish interior, as the region’s finest artists and craftsmen were commissioned to contribute.
Notable features include a series of paintings in the nave by Laurent Pécheux, the polychrome Madonna and Child by Jean de la Huerta, and a marble and wrought iron lectern from 1765.
7. Les Baraques du 14
While hiking in the Forêt de Chaux, you might choose to discover this secluded hamlet that has been hidden in the woods for centuries.
The forest sustained a vibrant lumber and charcoal industry that fueled commerce in Dole.
At this quaint hamlet, you can observe how loggers would have lived. It consists of four homes, two bakeries, and an apiary, all dating back to the 16th century.
The hamlet is open every afternoon except Monday.
Upon arrival in Dole, check with the tourist office to find out whether there are any events or activities scheduled at the hamlet, as summer months often feature a calendar filled with demonstrations, talks, workshops, and musical evenings.
8. Grotte d’Osselle
A notable aspect of the Grotte d’Osselle is its discovery, which dates back to the 1200s, making it one of the oldest show caves in the world.
Around 50,000 years ago, prehistoric cave bears inhabited these chambers, leaving behind approximately 3,000 skeletons.
While many of these remains have been transferred to various museums, a selection is displayed within the cave itself.
The system features a “wet” section where water has flowed through, resulting in intricate and colorful formations, as well as a dry chamber where historical figures such as Voltaire attended gatherings during the 18th century, and where clergy sought refuge during the French Revolution.
9. Les Halles de Dole
Situated just opposite the Collegiate Church at the summit of the city is the marketplace, which has served as a trading hub since the 1200s.
This covered market has undergone several renovations, ultimately culminating in the completion of its current Baltard-style iron and glass hall in 1883.
Inside, four markets are held each week on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings, as well as Friday evenings from 17:00. The morning markets feature outdoor stalls on Place Nationale offering home goods, clothing, handicrafts, and flowers.
Visitors can sample a variety of local products, including fruits, vegetables, cheese, meats, charcuterie, freshwater fish, and pastries.
10. Saline Royale – Arc-et-Senans
On the opposite side of the Chaux Forest lies the remarkable remnant from the final years preceding the French Revolution.
Established in the 1770s, the Royal Saltworks symbolizes the heavy taxation imposed on salt, compelling individuals (including children aged eight and older) to purchase a predetermined amount of salt annually at a fixed price.
The complex features stunning architecture, reflecting the influence of Enlightenment thought through its rational geometry and the arrangement of various structures on site.
During summer evenings, the complex is illuminated with enchanting projections for the Lux Salina sound and light show.
11. Water Activities
The Doubs River and the Canal du Rhône au Rhin are particularly inviting, especially during the sweltering summer months.
Fortunately, several local businesses in Dole offer canoe or kayak rentals during the summer.
You may opt to hire a vessel and schedule a pickup later or paddle alongside a guide for a deeper understanding of the city and its scenic surroundings.
If you prefer to remain dry, Floméga is conveniently located on the Canal du Rhône au Rhin and offers hour-long boat tours filled with insights about Dole.
Your guide will highlight locations related to various notable figures, including Barberousse (the 12th-century Holy Roman Emperor) and Louis XIV, who lived in or traversed Dole.
12. Aquaparc ISIS
If you’re traveling with children in a landlocked region like Jura, an attraction like this can be invaluable.
Aquaparc ISIS is a small water park operated by the municipality of Dole.
The park features a 64-meter slide and a five-lane slide that children can enjoy.
In addition to these attractions, there are several pools, including a 50-meter Olympic pool for those looking for a more serious swimming experience.
Outside, amenities include a bar and fast-food stand, green areas for picnics, volleyball courts, a playground for children, and a mini-golf course.
13. Le Musée Joseph Martin
If you trace the Doubs River back to the village of Étrepigney, located on the northern edge of the Chaux Forest, you will find a charming little museum dedicated to the local pottery industry.
Joseph Martin was a reputable potter in this region during the 18th century, and his descendants continue to produce handmade earthenware at Poterie de M. Fumey Joël.
The museum opened in 2002 in the village’s former washhouse and features an impressive collection of ceramics, ranging from functional items to decorative pieces, dating back to the 1700s.
14. Mont-Roland
Situated 343 meters above Dole, Mont-Roland has served as a pilgrimage site en route to Compostela for nearly 1,700 years.
A chapel was established here in the 300s, which was the first in a lineage of chapels, monasteries, and churches.
For centuries, a significant 11th-century church stood on this site; however, it suffered damage and looting during various conflicts, including the Ten Years’ War in the 17th century during an assault by the King of Sweden.
The current church dates back to the 19th century and is worth a visit, not only for its interior but also for the panoramic views of the Doubs and Saône river plains.
15. Local Cuisine
Historically, beekeeping was a prominent local industry, and a few honey merchants still operate in Dole.
Honey serves as the primary ingredient in pain d’épices, a traditional local specialty.
This dense loaf is made with rye flour and flavored with honey and spices such as clove, aniseed, nutmeg, and sometimes cinnamon.
This dish is so well-embedded in local food culture that it is occasionally paired with savory offerings like foie gras in local restaurants.
Dole is also renowned for its freshwater fish, such as trout, carp, or pike, which are typically served with butter and herb sauces.
