From Dole to Besançon, 2 stages, stop at the Thoraise Navigation Tunnel

On our next leg to Besançon, we faced 11 hours of travel time for 55.07 km and 17 locks. However, knowing that the tunnel in Besançon is currently closed and that we had to navigate the city stretch with a predicted draft depth of 1.30 m, we had planned a stop along the way.

The initial plan was to spend the night in Ranchot. We quickly reached this point, but the docking area was not particularly inviting, so we briefly tied up to plan our next move.

There is a small docking area before Besançon at the Thoraise Navigation Tunnel.

The Canal du Rhône au Rhin runs mostly on the Doubs here. Thus, we made good progress. Speed in the canal is 6 and in the river is 10 km/h, as prescribed.

Scenically, the mountains are gradually getting closer to the river.

The Doubs currently has more water than usual, which significantly affects the current. When we travel at 1700 RPM in the still water of the Saône at 13-14 km/h, we barely achieve just over 10 km/h here.

We reached the dock in Thoraise around 1600. Make Gustav weatherproof, saddle the bikes, and head out into the surroundings.

We were the only boat at the dock; it can accommodate 3 boats. Around 1800, the VNF service came by and asked us if we wanted to continue and that he would close the gate now. We agreed to start at 800 the next day, and he promised to open the gate again on time.

He went twice towards the tunnel, but we could not see a closed gate after his visit.