With today's start in Dole, we have left the Burgundy region, which was independent until 2015, and are now also moving into the former Franche Comté region, which existed until 2015.
In 2015, both regions were merged to form the new Bourgogne Franche Comté region.
On this section, the Rhine-Rhone canal flows for large parts in the bed of the Doubs, which has its source in the Swiss Alps.
Besançon is the capital of Franche-Comté, voted the "greenest city in France", and the city of art and history; Besançon has 184 buildings classified as Historic Monuments.
Vauban's fortifications are a UNESCO World Heritage Site (citadel, city walls and Fort Griffon).
The Rhine-Rhone Canal is a watershed canal that overcomes a total height difference of around 280 meters, of which 170 meters are on the Saône valley side, which are overcome with 82 locks, and 110 meters on the Rhine side, which requires 40 locks.