DOLE
Maison Pasteur
Foundation: opened in 1923.
History: The fame of Louis Pasteur, French scientist, chemist and physicist, is closely linked to the development of a vaccine against rabies, but his scientific work extends to many fields, from the study of crystals to that of silkworm diseases, including the study of wine and beer fermentation. Through personal objects and documents, his birthplace shows how Louis Pasteur became the quintessential scientist, known throughout the world.
Current use: museum spread over two floors and eight exhibition rooms. Numerous models and videos present his family memories and his great discoveries. Part of the collection comes from a bequest by Louis Pasteur Vallery-Radot, Pasteur's grandson and last heir.
Special feature: Louis Pasteur himself came towards the end of his life to unveil a plaque on the façade commemorating the place where he was born.
Listed as: Historic Monument in 1923 / "Maison des Illustres" label in 2011.
www.terredelouispasteur.fr
Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeology
Founded in 1821, the museum is housed in the Officers' Pavilion, an 18th-century building in the Comtois architectural style. Its collections bring together archaeology, ancient art and contemporary art. The museum is ranked among the 50 best museums in France by the Journal des Arts. It offers a comprehensive overview of the history of the Dole region since prehistoric times, across 1,500 m² of exhibition space.
www.musees-franchecomte.com/index.php?p=237
Notre Dame Collegiate Church of Dole
Foundation: built in the 16th century.
Style: Gothic and Renaissance.
Characteristics: its furnishings and decorations, donated by the city's most prominent figures, are the earliest examples of Renaissance art in Dole. Adorning the façade of the Sainte-Chapelle, the organ loft and the pulpit, the polychrome marble decorations featuring foliage, interlacing patterns and birds are characteristic of the Dole workshop's work. There is an exceptional 3,500-pipe organ built by the German Riepp, one of the very rare examples from the 18th century in France.
History: built in the 16thcentury after the pillaging under Louis XI, it symbolises the city's recovery. Its powerful 73-metre-high bell tower evokes the intensity of the religious struggles of the time.
Current use: today, it continues to be traditionally referred to as a "collegiate church", despite its elevation to minor basilica status in 1951.
Listed as: historic monument since 1910.
Hôtel-Dieu
Foundation: construction began in 1613 and was interrupted for a long time by the sieges and wars that the city endured three times between 1636 and 1674.
Style: Renaissance (architect: Jean Boyvin).
Characteristics: the buildings are arranged in a U-shape on three levels around a courtyard lined with arcaded galleries, including the 18th- and 19th-century wings. There is an ambulatory with two large rooms. At the junction of these rooms is a chapel that allowed patients to follow mass from their beds.
History: the Hôtel-Dieu was intended to take in the sick, especially the poor who could not be treated at home. In 1663, a few Sisters Hospitallers of Saint Martha came from Beaune to found the first community. This hospital operated for several centuries, until 1973, when it was converted into a geriatric centre and the Louis Pasteur Hospital opened its doors.
Current use: renovated between 1998 and 2000, it now houses the municipal archives, the library and the city's media library.
Listed: Historic Monument in 1928.
Fresco of the Dolois
Foundation: inaugurated in September 2017.
Artists: Camille Semelet, Alain Locatelli, Sylvie Casartelli and Anaïs Mazuez, muralist artists from the Haut les murs collective.
Characteristics: trompe-l'oeil mural honouring the women and men who have marked the history of Dole over the past ten centuries.
Personalities depicted: Louis Pasteur (1822-1895), Marcel Aymé (1902-1967), Jean Boyvin (1580-1650), Jacques Duhamel (1924-1977).
Awards: The work won the 2017 Pinceau d'Argent (Silver Paintbrush) award.
The Chat Perché trail
Le Chat Perché (a nod to writer Marcel Aymé, author of Contes du Chat Perché, who grew up in Dole) invites visitors to follow a signposted trail through the town centre. It was designed for pedestrians eager to discover the riches of Dole's urban heritage. In 35 stages, visitors can discover eight centuries of Dole's history through its iconic monuments, main streets, squares and the scenery that adorns the heart of the town.
http://www.chatperche-dole.mobi
Chaux forests and huts from the 14th century
This deciduous forest is the second largest in France. Renowned for its rich wildlife, it is criss-crossed with paths and forest tracks ideal for walking or mountain biking. During the summer season, the huts of the 14, a former hamlet of woodcutters and charcoal burners who once lived in the forest, host exhibitions, activities and evenings of storytelling and legends.
www.jura-tourisme.com
BELFORT
Lion of Belfort
Construction: 1876 to 1880
History: from 3 November 1870 to 13 February 1871 Belfort, then a sub-prefecture of Alsace, was besieged by the Prussian army. While Napoleon III's generals were swept away in the first weeks of the war, it was Denfert-Rochereau, a simple colonel, who led the manoeuvre. Belfort did not surrender and only gave in on the orders of the French government. Thanks to its courageous resistance, Belfort remained French, while part of Alsace and Lorraine was annexed by Germany. In December 1871, while enemy troops were still in the city, the Belfort City Council voted to allocate funds to erect a monument in memory and gratitude to the victims of the siege. It was a modest project: a simple stele or column erected in the Mobiles cemetery. The budget allocated was 2,000 francs. Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi was called upon to participate in the project. The Colmar native, deeply affected by the annexation of his region, was all the more motivated as he had served during the conflict as squadron leader of the National Guard and then as aide-de-camp to Giuseppe Garibaldi. He already had an idea, far removed from a simple stele... He imagined a colossal lion, "harassed, cornered and still terrible in its fury", erected against and beneath the limestone rock of the citadel. Characteristics: Bartholdi's proposals, accepted in 1873, underwent numerous revisions, mainly related to the lion's posture, which was to "glorify the energy of defence" rather than commemorate a victory or defeat. However, the estimated cost of 50,000 francs far exceeded the initial budget. A national subscription was launched, which was a great success, and work finally began in 1876. This was delayed by material difficulties (extraction, cutting and laying of the stone) and the harshness of successive winters. The people of Belfort had to wait until 1880 to admire the finished lion. Made entirely of pink Vosges sandstone, it measures 22 metres long and 11 metres high.
Note: a replica of the lion can be found on Place Denfert-Rochereau in Paris. As for Bartholdi, who was already internationally renowned at the time, he would soon go on to create an even more striking work, the Statue of Liberty.
Listed as: Historic Monument since 1931.
Citadel
Construction: 17th century
History: a strategic location since the 12th century, the citadel of Belfort was built by the Count of La Suze from 1648 onwards. In order to block the passage, due to numerous foreign invasions, Louis XIV entrusted Vauban with the project of fortifying the city. In 1687, he proposed a pentagonal urban enclosure, protected by advanced works and reinforced at the corners by bastioned towers. It is the only example in France of Vauban's second fortification system. Then, from 1817 onwards, General Haxo transformed the castle into a modern fortress, in particular by replacing the barracks built under Vauban with bomb-proof barracks, which can now be seen above the Lion. Since July 2007, a historical discovery trail (La Citadelle de la Liberté) has offered a different way to visit the citadel of Belfort, with illustrated terminals, audio guides, video projections and lighting in the Grand Souterrain.
Listed as: Historic Monument since 1903.
The Belfort Museum and the Bartholdi Space
Created in 1872 by the Société Belfortaine d'Émulation, the Belfort Museum is organised around an archaeological collection: reflecting daily life in the region from prehistory (the burial caves of Cravanche) to the period of invasions (the Burgundian necropolis of Bourogne), including the Roman conquest (the pottery workshop of Offemont and the "Villa" of Bavilliers) and memories linked to the military figures who defended Belfort on numerous occasions (General Lecourbe's sword, Denfert-Rochereau's personal effects). In February 2011, as part of the anniversary celebrations for the Lion of Belfort and in tribute to its creator, the city decided to set up six permanent rooms in the History Museum. The Bartholdi Space is dedicated to statuary and presents a collection of sculptures, engravings, old photographs, archives and original documents.
Place d'Armes
The town's agora is home to the town hall (originally the private residence of François Noblat, lord and advisor to the king, in 1724, the building was converted into a town hall in 1786), the bandstand and Saint-Christophe Cathedral (built in the first half of the 18th century, this building in pink Vosges sandstone houses monumental organs built by famous organ builder Joseph Valtrin).
Porte de Brisach
Erected in 1687 by Vauban, this royal gate is decorated with the emblem of King Louis XIV: a sculpted sun with his motto Nec Pluribus Impar ("No one can compare to him"). In the centre, fleurs-de-lis and the royal crown are surrounded by trophies and flags.
Place de la République
Developed in the early 20th century after the demolition of the western front of Vauban's fortifications, this square became the new centre of the city with the construction of the courthouse, the Prefecture, the Caisse d'Epargne building and the Salle des Fêtes (Festival Hall). The City of Belfort undertook a major project to transform this square which, after consulting the residents of Belfort, turned to the "Grand Jardin" project, with large forecourts, grassy and flowered beds, a water mirror, and heritage features.
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