by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:14th July 2026
Follow the cat through the charming lanes of Dole
We’re off to the second destination on our delightful French EV road trip. We’ve left the charming Art Deco town of Saint-Quentin in Hauts-de-France and are journeying south to Dole in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of France.
A couple of years ago, we purchased our first EV, and after sneaking in a short mini-break to Normandy, we decided that same year we wanted to fully stretch its legs and embrace the new world of EV touring through France. Catch our escapades on our 2024 EV French road trip.
We loved the experience so much that we plotted another French EV road trip for 2025, as it is so easy road-trippin with an EV in France. The two-week EV adventure began the moment we boarded Le Shuttle in Folkestone and entered Calais.
Did you catch our further inspiration for this French road trip?
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Where is Dole?
How to get to Dole
- By Car
Departing from the UK to France, there are various options. You can either jump on Le Shuttle and arrive in Calais in 35 minutes or enjoy a leisurely cruise on the open waves with Brittany Ferries, DFDS or P&O.
- By Air
If you’re flying into France, search for flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Paris Orly (ORY) for the best range of international routes, then continue to Dole by train in around 3 hours.
A brief history of Dole
From political turmoil to Louis PasteurThe charming town of Dole in the Jura Department of France has a fascinating history that's easy to miss if you’re simply passing through on your way to the South of France.
Dole sits on the banks of the River Doubs; it grew into one of the region's most important towns during the Middle Ages thanks to its position on key trade routes. For a time, Dole was the capital of the old County of Burgundy (known as Franche-Comté), rather than nearby Besançon.
Les Commères – The Gossips
Wealth from trade helped create the elegant streets, canals and grand stone buildings that still give the old town so much character today. When you're wandering through the centre, you're essentially walking around a town that was once one of the political and economic powerhouses of eastern France.
Maison des Orphelins
One of the biggest turning points in Dole’s history came in 1674, when the forces of Louis XIV captured the town after a lengthy siege. The town lost its status as regional capital to Besançon. Still, in hindsight, that may actually have helped preserve its historic charm, as it avoided much of the redevelopment seen elsewhere in the region.
Dole is also famous as the birthplace of Louis Pasteur, whose pioneering work transformed our understanding of germs, vaccination and pasteurisation. Pasteur later lived in the nearby town of Arbois, where you can visit his family home and his personal laboratory.
Birthplace of Louis Pasteur
Bronze bust of Louis Pasteur
Today, Dole feels delightfully relaxed, with picturesque canals, colourful riverside houses and the impressive Collégiale Notre-Dame de Dole rising above the rooftops, a reminder of the important role this small but beautiful town once played in French history.
Stay informed
You will find us across many forms of social media. You will find our latest posts, some throwbacks, links to historic events with our 'On this day' posts, across Facebook, X, Bluesky & Threads. Each week, themed visual content on Instagram, and our narrated travels on YouTube. Collections of the images in our posts are also collated into boards on Pinterest.
Discovering the waterways of Dole
Along the Canal des TanneursThe Canal des Tanneurs is one of the prettiest corners of Dole. We loved it around here; it is so picturesque. The canal takes its name from the tanners who once worked here, using the flowing water to soak and wash animal hides before they were turned into leather. Back in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, this was a busy, working part of the town, with workshops lining the water's edge.
Pont des Tanneurs
Today, thankfully, it's a much quieter scene. The old stone buildings, flower-filled bridges and gentle reflections in the water make it feel almost unchanged by time. As you stroll along the canal, you're walking through what was once the industrial heart of Dole, but now it's one of the town's most charming and peaceful places to simply slow down and enjoy the atmosphere.
Stone buildings on Canal des Tanneurs
Strolling the Canal des Tanneurs
Wend your way along the canal-side enjoying the colourful boats, waterside cafés and shady paths following the old waterway. The Canal des Tanneurs and the surrounding canal network are fed by the River Doubs. It's hard to imagine now, but this peaceful stretch of the river was once a busy commercial route, where barges carried timber, wine, grain and other goods between the Doubs River and the wider French canal network.
The canal & Notre-Dame collegiate church
Along the Canal des Tanneurs
The canal itself forms part of the historic link between the Saône and the Doubs, officially opened in 1802, helping turn Dole into an important inland trading port during the 19th century. Although commercial traffic has long since disappeared, the quays have been transformed into an attractive marina and promenade, where you can watch the boats drift by and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this beautiful Jura town.
Shadow Marcel the cat around Dole
The Perched Cat CircuitThe Perched Cat Circuit is a fun and informative way to explore the historic centre of Dole. As you wander through the old streets, every few metres you'll spot a series of plaques in the ground. Keep an eye out for the quirky bronze cat sculpture ‘Le Chat de Marcel’ perched on the bridge along the Rue du Prelot.
Le Chat de Marcel
This light-hearted treasure hunt takes you on a 2km or 4km route, blending art with sightseeing and making it a great excuse to slow down and take in Dole's beautiful architecture, hidden alleyways, and charming squares along the way.
The Perched Cat Circuit marker
There are 35 stages along the Perched Cat Circuit, all with a fun and interesting story to tell. One location not to miss is No. 35 Le Grande Fontaine, a 13th-century underground wash fountain. It isn’t the easiest location to find; however, persistence will pay off, as it is incredible.
Discovering La Grande Fontaine, Dole
The Great Fountain
The La Grande Fontaine in Dole is a lovely old stone fountain that's been quietly supplying fresh water to locals for centuries, making it a peaceful little spot to pause and soak up the town's historic charm.
France Tourist Information
If you’re tempted to tour France and discover all the delightful things it has to offer, take a peek at the official French Tourism website. The local tourist offices dotted around the towns and cities provide some extremely useful information and handy pointers for around each region.
Exploring the historic heart of Dole
Amongst the charming, cobbled lanesThe real joy of wandering around Dole is that it still feels like a town that grew naturally over centuries rather than one that was designed for tourists. The old quarter is a maze of narrow cobbled streets, worn smooth by generations of footsteps, where every turn seems to reveal another hidden square, a colourful shuttered house, or a little artisan shop.
Charming architecture in Dole
Place aux Fleurs
If you slow your pace, you'll notice the details that make Dole special, carved stone doorways, old wrought-iron balconies, and buildings that lean ever so slightly as though they've been keeping each other standing since the Middle Ages. It's the sort of place where you can happily get a little lost and not mind one bit.
The mural of Dole’s famous people
Quirky staircase in Dole
These streets tell the story of Dole's prosperous past. Wealthy merchants built elegant townhouses along the winding lanes, many of which still survive today, giving the old centre its wonderfully authentic feel. As you walk over the uneven cobbles, it's easy to imagine carts rattling past, market traders calling out their wares, and travellers arriving from across Europe.
Today, those same streets are much quieter, making them perfect for a relaxed stroll with a camera in hand, discovering little cafés, tucked-away courtyards, and centuries of history around almost every corner.
Bronze statue of Les Commères
Fontaine à l'Enfant
Seek out the Place of Flowers, a charming square where you can take a rest and immerse yourself in the surrounding local chitter-chatter. Here, you’ll also spot the delightful bronze statue of "Les Commères" (The Gossips), created in 1982 by German sculptor Jens Boettcher.
Charité General Hospital & Charles Nodier bridge
The old windmill in Dole
Ensure you head to no. 26 on your Perched Cat Circuit to the 17th-century Hotel-Dieu, an ancient hospital built for the poor and now a media library. Nearby is no. 27, the Charité General Hospital, built on the grounds of the Saint-André bastion, the old windmill, and the historic Charles Nodier bridge.
Parc de la Médiathèque
If you get a chance, try and pop into the Parc de la Médiathèque. This delightful garden at Hotel-Dieu is so pretty, with its surrounding cloister, stone balcony, and twisty stairwell.
Places to visit in France
If you adore road trippin’ through France like we do, exploring north, south, east, and west, then take a peek at the captivating destinations in our French location posts. You’ll find so many gorgeous villages, towns and cities, some you may have heard of; however, I’m sure you’ll find new inspiration.
Visiting the Notre-Dame collegiate church
History beneath your feetStanding proudly above the rooftops of Dole's old town, the Collégiale Notre-Dame de Dole is one of those churches that quietly takes you by surprise. As you wander through the narrow streets, the imposing bell tower seems to appear around every corner, acting as a natural landmark that draws you towards the heart of the historic centre.
Side view of Collégiale Notre-Dame de Dole
Front of Notre-Dame collegiate church
Although construction of the Collégiale Notre-Dame de Dole began in the early 16th century, it took well over a century to complete. This probably explains why the building is such an interesting blend of late Gothic architecture with elegant Renaissance touches. It's grand without feeling overwhelming, and there's a lovely sense that this is still very much the heart of the town.
Inside Collégiale Notre-Dame de Dole
Organ in Collégiale Notre-Dame de Dole
Step inside and the atmosphere changes completely. The bustle of Dole fades away, replaced by soaring vaulted ceilings, beautiful stained-glass windows and warm stone that glows in the afternoon light.
One of the highlights is the magnificent pipe organ, regarded as one of the finest in the region, while the richly decorated chapels reveal centuries of local history and craftsmanship. Even if you're not particularly interested in churches, it's worth taking a few minutes to sit quietly and soak up the peaceful atmosphere.
Stained glass from the apse (1875-1876)
Then, when you step back outside into Place Nationale with Dole’s attractive covered market, you'll appreciate just how perfectly the church anchors one of the prettiest corners of Dole. It feels less like a monument and more like the town's living centrepiece, a place that's watched over generations of locals for more than 400 years.
Within this beautiful church in 1823, Louis Pasteur was baptised.
Crit'Air vignette required for driving in France
If you’re heading to France from the UK with your own vehicle, you’ll need a Crit’Air ‘clean air’ car sticker.
Just like our low-emission zones in the UK, France now legally requires the display of a Crit’Air vignette. The good news is, these stickers are readily available and affordable online through the official French government website.
The Crit’Air sticker lasts the lifetime of the vehicle, so it’s a one-off purchase. The RAC website offers an in-depth guide to everything you need to know and your requirements.
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