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To get to Dole station: see practical information.
Red and white GR®59A markings and specific signs bearing the symbol "J"
(S) With your back to the station, start on the right (east) on Avenue Aristide Briand. Cross the intersection with Boulevard du Président Wilson carefully and continue straight ahead on Avenue Aristide Briand, which is a one-way street. Continue until you reach the intersection with Rue du Collège de l'Arc.
(1) Turn right onto the one-way street, then at the fork in front of the fountain, turn left onto Rue de la Monnaie, then left again onto Rue Charles Sauria. Stay on this street, which becomes narrow and one-way, then continue until you reach Rue des Arènes.
Turn left, then at the Barel shoe shop, turn right into an alley (Rue d'Enfer) and continue until you reach the Place Nationale and the entrance to the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame de Dole.
(2) After visiting the building, leave Place Nationale and continue along the alleyway that starts to the left of the Le Progrès newspaper building, following the signs for Pasteur's birthplace. Turn right onto Rue Granvelle and continue to 77 Rue Pasteur, where you will find the large fountain known as the Fontaine des Lépreux. (To access it, you must take an underpass located at No. 77).
(3) After visiting the fountain, turn left, south-west, onto Rue du Prélot, then, after the left-hand bend, take the right-hand lane to arrive in front of the Prélot footbridge over the Rhône-Rhine Canal.
(4) Cross the canal, then walk along the canal on your right for about 200 metres before turning left and continuing along Allée du Doubs Rêveur, which runs alongside the River Doubs. Continue until you reach the Passerelle des Poètes.
(5) Cross the Doubs, then continue along Allée du Pont Roman, which heads south-east. When you reach Rue d'Azans, turn left. Stay on this street, which climbs slightly, running alongside a high stone wall. After the wall, continue straight ahead on Rue Charles Blind for just over a kilometre until you reach the stone house at No. 115.
(6) Follow the small S-bend to stay on Rue Charles Blind, which is now slightly downhill. Continue through the countryside until you reach the intersection with Rue du Bizard.
(7) Continue left (east/southeast). Drive along the Parc Animalier de la Sauline and continue until you see the sign for the equestrian centre.
(8) Continue straight ahead towards Forêt de Chaux/La Vieille Loye. Pass the entrance to the equestrian centre and continue on Route Forestière des Prés Gaulard. Stay on this road until you reach the signpost for Les Prés Gaulard, which is located in a small car park.
(9) Stay on the paved road for about 20 metres, then turn left (southeast) onto the forest road.
Please note: you are entering the third largest forest in France and the second largest deciduous forest. It covers approximately 22,000 hectares and has been wooded for around 6,000 to 8,000 years. Pay close attention to the signposts so you don't get lost!
Stay on this path, heading south-east, until you reach the intersection with the forest road leading to the temple.
(10) Continue straight ahead in the same direction until you reach the Grand Contour forest road.
(11) At the signpost, cross and follow the direction of Pont des Scouts/La Vieille Loye. Continue to the signpost at the intersection with the Sommière du Val aux Chiens.
(12) Turn right (southeast) and stay on this road for about 700 metres until you reach the signpost.
(13) Turn left (northeast) onto the forest path, then after about 700 metres straight ahead, turn right. At the intersection with a paved road, follow it to the left until you reach the signpost for Fontaine des Prés Bas Lecomte, at the intersection with Route Forestière de Vaulot.
(14) Turn right (southeast) and continue on the Route Forestière de Vaulot, which is closed to all motor vehicles. Cross the La Clauge stream, then continue to the crossroads, at the end of the second bend on the left.
(15) At the signpost, turn left, then, after the bend, continue south-east until you reach the railway tunnel.
(16) Pass under the railway line to leave the wooded area and continue across the fields until you reach Rue du Clos de Valets. Continue to the signpost at the fork.
(17) Follow the signs for La Vieille Loye and take the right-hand road, Rue des Clia-Cliats. Stay on this road, heading south-east, until you reach the Ruisseau de la Tanche.
(18) Stay on this road and continue in this direction to enter the village of La Vieille-Loye. Continue until you reach the intersection with the D240, then turn right onto Rue du Chalet and continue until you reach the church in La Vieille Loye.
(19) Turn right before the church and continue to the cemetery, where you will find a water source and a place to set up camp (E).
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