Forêt de Chaux
France > East > Dole > Forêt de Chaux
To the east of Dole lie the 200 square kilometres of the ancient Forêt de Chaux, France's third-largest forest and site of some of the country's earliest industrial endeavours. Set in a clearing in the southern central part of the forest are the ancient settlements of La Vieille-Loye and Turot, since early Christian times centres of charcoal burning – once essential in the production of metals – and, until recently, glass manufacture, at one time producing up to one million bottles a year.Access to the forest – which makes an agreeable alternative to the main roads to Salins-les-Bains or Besançon – is easiest from the N5/N72 Salins road to the south and west. In this part of the forest you'll find many waymarked walking trails wending their way beneath the overhead canopy of oak, chestnut and beech.
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