The Doubs

In addition to its interest for navigation, the lock of Velotte deserves to linger there a little for its ornithological potential.

Indeed, the lock is a landmark for gray herons and cormorants. And if you take the time you may also see the blue and orange reflections of kingfishers swirling around the Doubs river.

Located downstream from Besançon, the plans for the Velotte lock drawn up in 1822 provide for a 1.40 m dam, with a hole for floating timber, and a lock lock for navigation. The rubble must be taken from a nearby quarry, on the right bank, and the cut stones from the citadel quarries. The works were awarded on August 16, 1824 to Claude-Guillaume Boin, of Limonest (Rhône), author of the great bridge of Dole. They began in 1825 and were completed in 1827. The adoption of the Freycinet law in 1888 required an extension of the locks to 38.50 m of useful length and obtaining a minimum draft of 2 m on the harbors . . The operation of the lock was electrified in 1964-1965, under the direction of the engineer Lanchy, by the SARL Ateliers Dagot, of Arc-lès-Gray (Haute-Saône), then was automated in 1992. https: / /pop.culture.gouv.fr/notice/merimee/IA25000424

Very nice bike path - but be careful who cycles through the tunnel can miss Besancon.