Dole / Losne

Enchanting little river ports, locks and barges are dotted along this, a stage on which time seems almost to stand still. Ride out of the attractive town of Dole via the Canal du Rhône au Rhin. On this lovely stretch of the EuroVelo 6 cycle route, you gradually leave the Doubs Valley behind. You’ll find plenty of shade and places to pause for a picnic, watching the barges to-ing and fro-ing between the Canal du Rhône au Rhin and the Saône River. All the way along, take in the green landscapes, the boating and the anglers. Epitomizing this stage is Saint-Jean-de-Losne, known as European capital of river boating, and boasting a dedicated museum, the Musée de la Batellerie.

The Route

You ride along a greenway beside the Doubs, then along the canal, up to Tavaux. At the level of Tavaux, you have to follow a diversion via Damparis along a signposted road to avoid a major industrial site. Then join the cycle path linking Damparis to Abergement-le-Ronce, where you’ll find yourself back on a waterside route, first following the canal, then the Saône River, arriving at the river port of St-Jean-de-Losne via La Voie Bleue, a cycle route that shares the way with EuroVelo 6 here.

Links 
To the Tour du Jura Vélo Loisirs, at the level of Tavaux
To La Voie Bleue, at the level of the confluence of the Canal du Rhin au Rhône and the Saône River.

Don't miss

• Dole: Notre Dame collegiate church; the Maison Natale de Louis Pasteur (the great scientist’s birthplace); the Canal des Tanneurs crossing the historic centre; the river port, or port fluvial; fine townhouses (hôtels particuliers); the Ligne des Hirondelles panoramic train line from Dole to St-Claude 
• Choisey: a magnificent picnic spot along the canal
• Saint-Jean de Losne: Europe’s leading river port, or port fluvial; the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste; the Maison des Mariniers - Musée de la Batellerie; the Saône quays