Dole, its canals and its river, the Doubs

Easy stroll through the canals of Dole.
View of Dole and its Collegiate Church.

Details

103758
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.74 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 4 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 4 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 207 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 200 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure: car park at the commandery on Route d'Azans.

(S/E) Head towards the old Roman bridge.
Cross the Doubs river via the footbridge.
Walk alongside the sports grounds on your left, along the Charles Quint canal spillway.
Turn right at the entrance to the Pasquier campsite and go under the SNCF bridge to reach the baths (leisure area): Charles Quint canal water intake.
Retrace your steps, walk along the canal to reach the junction with the Rhône-Rhine Canal.

(1) Go under the road bridge and continue along the Rhône-Rhine Canal until you reach the footbridge.
Take this footbridge. Turn left, then right. Continue straight ahead to reach the Tanneurs Canal
.
(2) Cross the canal, then follow it upstream to Pasteur's birthplace.
Take the passageway by the drinking trough to reach Rue Pasteur.
Walk up this street on the left.

(3) Pass by the Fontaine aux Lépreux fountain and you will come out onto Grande Rue.

(4) Turn left towards the bridge without crossing it. Pass in front of the media library (former Hôtel-Dieu) and take the small passageway through the ramparts.
You will come to the junction of the Tanners' Canal and the Rhône-Rhine Canal.

(5) Cross these via the lock to reach the Jardin Philippe.
Head towards Grande Rue, crossing the Doubs via the Louis XV road bridge.
At the roundabout, turn left and head towards the commanderie (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 203 m - Commanderie car park. Cross the - Doubs (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 1.83 - alt. 201 m - Junction of the canal with the - Canal du Rhône au Rhin
  3. 2 : km 2.36 - alt. 202 m - Crossing the Canal des Tanneurs
  4. 3 : km 2.62 - alt. 207 m - Fontaine aux Lépreux (Dole)
  5. 4 : km 2.69 - alt. 205 m - Grand'rue, on the left
  6. 5 : km 3.03 - alt. 202 m - Crossing at the lock
  7. S/E : km 3.74 - alt. 203 m - Commanderie car park

Worth a visit

Old Romanesque bridge at the start.

The Grande Fontaine, also known as the Fontaine des Lépreux, appears at the bottom of a chasm for walkers, a sort of skylight for this structure once reserved for those who were excluded from society. Go to Rue Pasteur and descend the few steps to the entrance of this underground wash house.

Pasteur's birthplace.

Notre Dame de Dole Collegiate Church.

Media library (former Hôtel-Dieu).

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 18 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
André1955
André1955

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An interesting and varied tour offering a wonderful introduction to the town of Dole and its history.

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User 11045467

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A route combining nature and the old town, not very busy but followed in November by grey weather.

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User 24236567

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A delightful walk to explore the city

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michel_blanchet_49
michel_blanchet_49

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

There was a side event called "20 years of Made in Jura" in the area, which attracted a large crowd.

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GRAND AIR
GRAND AIR

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant, easy stroll along the water, rivers and canals!
It allows you to discover other very pleasant corners of the charming little town of Dole!
Thank you

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dynou
dynou
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant stroll to discover a beautiful city steeped in history.
Accompanied by my 4-year-old daughter, she was able to play in several children's games.

Thank you for sharing!

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etienne92.d
etienne92.d

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route in Dole, offering a wonderful opportunity to explore the old town and the surrounding area.
Thank you

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Thiency
Thiency

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A walk that allows you to discover part of the canals of Dole, but which, in our opinion, could have been extended to the higher parts of the town.

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HNS 25220
HNS 25220

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short semi-urban hike that is worth doing for its speed, ease and choice of an easy and historically interesting route.
Be aware of the opening hours of the passage to the lepers' fountain.
Combine with a more in-depth visit to the area, the collegiate church, the market and also the museum.
In addition, unless you bring your own picnic, there are some very nice restaurants where you can enjoy the Canal des Tanneurs even more.
Finally, there are a few places to stay in this neighbourhood, which can be found on the relevant websites.

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Zebra
Zebra

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 25, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The Raynaud III passageway leading to the lepers' washhouse was closed on the Rue Pasteur side but open on the other side by the Tanners' Canal

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pannouille
pannouille

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Don't be afraid to stray from the beaten track, as there are many other things to see as well.

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liethana
liethana

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A pleasant little stroll for a quick visit to Dole. I would do it again with my partner on a summer evening, combining it with a nice little restaurant.

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dartagnant
dartagnant

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

It's a good place to start exploring Dole.

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pouf39
pouf39

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 09, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

a very pleasant little walk along the Doubs Canal. Cool and friendly. But perhaps too short

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arawak
arawak
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful, short walk along the canals and the Doubs river. Easy and accessible to all, perfect for families or couples. Dole, a charming town...!!!

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