Saint-Jean-de-Losne RETURN via Dole 3-Night Itinerary
Set out on a relaxed three-night return from Saint-Jean-de-Losne along the Canal du Rhône au Rhin to historic Dole and back. Expect calm countryside, easy towpaths and a series of short locks that are simple to manage, making this an inviting break for first time cruisers. Wander Dole’s Tanners’ Quarter, visit the Collégiale Notre Dame and the Pasteur Museum, then dine by the canal before a quiet night on board. On the way back, pause for a waterside picnic or a short cycle beside the canal. If you’d like to toast the trip, make a late-afternoon detour by taxi to the vineyards of Nuits-Saint-Georges for a relaxed tasting and a stroll among the vines before dinner.
Suggested Itinerary
Arrive at base
3pm
After you have arrived and checked-in, we’ll show you to your boat as quickly as possible. Spend time settling in, freshen up and await your pre-departure briefing which will be given by one of our base technicians. They will familiarise you with the boat’s domestic systems and give you a hands-on demonstration of the boat controls and how to operate it. They will make sure you are comfortable and confident controlling the boat, as well as navigating the waterway, before you set off.
Food for the journey: With both Lidl and Intermarché SUPER Saint-Usage grocery stores less than a 5-minute drive from our base, we recommend picking up a few essentials for any meals you’ll enjoy on board before you set off – just make sure to allow yourself a little time to pop into town and stock up.
Top tip: Boulangerie Jaye, just a 5-minute walk from the base, is a must-visit bakery if you have a sweet tooth!
Saint-Jean-de-Losne > The start of the Canal du Rhône au Rhin (St Symphorien pontoon)
4:30pm-5:30pm
Approx. 1 hr | 2 locks
Make your way to your first overnight mooring at the small public St Symphorien pontoon, about an hour away. There are no facilities or restaurants nearby, which makes this stop perfect for a quiet dinner on board.
*Please note: if you are short on time and cannot pass the two locks before the St Symphorien pontoon before they close (7pm in high season, 6pm in low season), simply spend your first evening on board in Saint-Jean-de-Losne.
Dinner on board
6pm – 8:30pm
Fire up the BBQ or enjoy a relaxed dinner on the top deck of your boat.
Overnight at the St Symphorien pontoon
Breakfast on board
7:30am – 8:30am
St Symphorien pontoon > Dole
8:30am – 12:30pm
Approx. 4 hrs | 7 locks
Take a gentle 4-hour cruise towards Dole, passing through seven locks along the way. Enjoy the quiet countryside and the hands-on experience of working each lock as you go.
Lunch at Café Cantine Les Pépites, Dole
1pm – 2:30pm
Café-Cantine Les Pépites is a family friendly café serving excellent home-style cooking, with three new dishes each week and a vegetarian option always included, from local classics to global flavours. Complement your meal with locally sourced drinks, from craft beer to Jura rum.
Explore Dole
2:30pm – 7pm
Welcome to Dole! Begin in the Tanners’ Quarter along the Canal des Tanneurs and follow the Le Chat Perché trail through hidden lanes and pretty courtyards. Top tip: Pick up a map at the tourist office for an easy self-guided route. Step inside the Collégiale Notre-Dame, which crowns the old town, then visit the Pasteur Museum in Louis Pasteur’s birthplace to learn about his life and work.
If you’re here on market days, the covered market buzzes on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings, and on Friday afternoons. Round off your visit with a wander among small shops and cafés before heading out to dinner.
Top tip: While you’re in town today, pick up a freshly baked bread from Le Pain Culminant, an artisanal bakery just above the station, and a couple of cheeses from Les Garçons Fromagers in the historic centre – perfect for a French-style lunch on board tomorrow.
Dinner at Le Moulin des Tanneurs, Dole
7pm – 9:30pm
Settle into this characterful spot in the Tanners’ Quarter for a relaxed evening by the canal. Warm service, regional Jura flavours and a cosy dining room make it an easy choice after a day exploring the old town.
Booking recommended: +33 (0)3 84 79 17 30 | Le Moulin des Tanneurs
Overnight in Dole
Breakfast at Damien Benetot, Dole
8am – 8:30am
The perfect stop for buttery pastries and desserts in Dole has to be Damien Benetot, just a 15-minute stroll or short cycle from your boat. We recommend grabbing a few bites to-go before enjoying a final walk around town on your way back to your boat. +33 (0)3 84 72 13 28
Dole > Abergement-la-Ronce
9am – 12pm
Approx. 3 hrs | 6 locks
Cruise the quiet canal through six short locks to the public moorings at Abergement-la-Ronce.
Lunch on board
12pm – 1:30pm
Pause for a relaxed lunch at the picnic area beside your mooring, with the cycle path right next to the water if you fancy a short spin before you continue.
Abergement-la-Ronce > Saint-Jean-de-Losne
1:30pm – 3:30pm
Approx. 2 hrs | 3 locks
Enjoy a scenic cruise back to the Le Boat base in Saint-Jean-de-Losne.
Explore Saint-Jean-de-Losne
4pm – 6:30pm
This popular small town offers lots of possibilities. Visit the Barge Museum, located in a restored 15th Century house near the Le Boat base, or walk to the Baptiste church, which is covered with glazed tiles in classic Burgundy tradition.If you prefer to end your journey by savoring more wine, head about twenty kilometers by car from the base to the vineyards of Nuits-Saint-Georges.
Dinner at Le Bouchons Losnais, Saint-Jean-de-Losne
7pm – 9:30pm
Enjoy a fabulous dinner at Le Bouchons Losnais, just a 10-minute walk from the Le Boat base. This popular local restaurant offers simple, fuss-free food, located right next to the Saône river. If the weather is nice, you can enjoy dinner on the terrace with a beautiful view of the river. Closed on Mondays.
Booking recommended: +33 (0)6 67 11 78 36
La Barge Gourmande is another lovely option, situated on a barge in “La Gare d’Eau”, just a few meters from your boat at the base. The food is delicious and home-made, and you can enjoy a peaceful view of the water. The kitchen is also open plan to allow you to watch the chef at work. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Booking recommended: +33 (0)6 60 70 00 93
Overnight in Saint-Jean-de-Losne
Breakfast on board
7:30am – 8:30am
Enjoy your final breakfast on board before tidying and vacating your boat by 9am (unless you have booked and paid for a late-checkout).
Depart St-Jean-de-Losne
9am
4 or 5 night alternative
Extend your cruise approximately 4-hours north from Saint-Jean-de-Losne along the Burgundy Canal to Dijon, the historic capital of Burgundy and the “city of a hundred steeples”. It’s around thirty kilometres with a string of short locks, so plan it over two easy cruising days rather than a single run. Discover Dijon and its medieval center full of history, interesting buildings and monuments, and don’t forget to climb the 315 steps of the Philippe le Bon Tower for a splendid view over the rooftops of the city’s well-preserved medieval quarter.
This itinerary is a suggestion only
This suggested itinerary is an indication of what could be accomplished, and your ability to accomplish it, is not a contractual obligation of Le Boat. Le Boat is unable to guarantee when your pre-departure briefing will take place and in some cases it will not be given until the morning after your arrival. In these instances, you will need to adapt the itinerary outlined to accommodate a later departure. All cruising distances and times are approximations and are subject to local navigation restrictions at the time you cruise, planned or otherwise, which may also require you to deviate from the itinerary shown. Please check advertised opening times of sights, attractions and restaurants to avoid disappointment – some may need to be booked in advance. All meals, entry fees and tour tariffs are payable at your own expense. Attractions, restaurants and even locks and/or stretches of the waterway may be closed or can close without notice.
We’d love to hear from you
We’ve tried our very best to ensure the accuracy of the information we’ve provided. If you have followed all or some of this itinerary and have found something isn’t quite right, or perhaps you have some helpful tips and pointers that we could add which might be useful to your fellow boaters, we’d love to hear from you. Please email us at: itineraries@leboat.com
Image credits
Saint-Jean-de-Losne Aerial – Guillaume Robert Famy – Saone Tourisme | Nuits-Saint-Georges Vineyards Website | Le Moulin des Tanneurs Facebook | Damien Benetot Website | Café Cantine Les Pépites Facebook