The Doubs Valley by Bike

At Sochaux-Montbéliard, the Allan River and the Canal du Rhin au Rhône join forces, directing you gently towards Vaujecourt and the Doubs Valley. As the Doubs Valley narrows, the forts of Mont Bart and Mont Bavans recall how manmade defences were added to this natural frontier. You’ll need strength to climb to the Fort du Mont Bart to benefit from the stunning views along the whole valley. EuroVelo 6 then leads you on through undulating, green parts, beside rivers and through forests. After L'Isle-sur-le-Doubs, the natural meanders in the Doubs provide wonderful views over the countryside as well as historic towns dotted around the old Franche-Comté Region. Nestling below the Jura hills lies the town of Baume-les-Dames, with its interesting architecture, a welcoming place for passing cyclists.

This is one of the most beautiful stages along EuroVelo 6, the way between Baume-les-Dames and Deluz bristling with wooded hills. The Doubs River meanders along, with family homes and huts lining its banks, very popular with locals on sunny days. The natural peace is only broken by the whistle of trains approaching tunnels along their route. Drawing closer to Besançon, the cycle route is dotted with vestiges of once-flourishing industries that brought noisy life to the valley until the first half of the 20th century. One final bend, then the city of Besançon comes into view, beautifully located in a great meander in the river. The town is crowned by a citadel designed by Louis XIV’s great military engineer Vauban, and part of a UNESCO Vauban World Heritage Site.

Leave behind Besançon, crowned by its citadel (part of a Vauban UNESCO World Heritage Site), riding westwards on a greenway that meanders along with the Doubs River. The Doubs Valley’s sides remain very steep, the natural amphitheatres of greenery dominated by forts that controlled the way in times past. Now, just river boats and the odd cry of a bird of prey break the silence. Midway along this stage, the Canal de Monsieur Tunnel, also known as the Percée de Thoraise, avoids a 4km-long meander for both boats and cyclists, but the latter do need to tackle a testing climb of some 100m! At Ranchot, a cycle trail called the Voie des Salines leads off through Jura woods to Arc-et-Senans, where you can visit the staggering Ancien Régime saltworks, the Saline Royale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site adding great interest to the longer version of this stage.

For those cyclists who don’t opt to take the Voie des Salines, the Ranchot to Dole stage is the shortest on this cycle route! From Osselle, with its outdoor leisure centre, the banks of the Doubs are broad and flat. Just the sound of grey herons flying off may disturb the peace. After taking in the lovely old fortified village of Rochefort-sur-Nenon, as you approach Dole, historic capital of the French county (département) of Jura as well as the wider former Franche-Comté Region, the cliffs against which the town was built come into view. In the centre, seek out the birthplace of Louis Pasteur, immersing you in the life of the great 19th-century scientist. Dole is best explored on foot, so park up your bike to wander around it.