Coordinates: 47°05′35″N 5°29′26″E / 47.0931°N 5.4906°E / 47.0931; 5.4906

Dole (pronunciation: [dɔl], sometimes wrongly pronounced [dol], probably due to the incorrect orthography "Dôle" sometimes encountered) is a commune in the Jura department in the Franche-Comté region in eastern France, of which it is a subprefecture (sous-préfecture).

Dole was the capital of Franche-Comté until Louis XIV conquered the region; he shifted the parlement from Dole to Besançon. The university, founded by Philip the Good of Burgundy in 1422, was also transferred to Besançon at that time.

The 1995 film, Happiness Is in the Field, was set in Dole.

Dole is located on the Doubs River. The commune has a land area of 38.38 km² (14.82 sq mi).

As of the census of 1999, the population was 24,949. The estimation for 2005 was 23,900.

It is the largest commune in Jura, although the préfecture (capital) resides in the commune of Lons-le-Saunier.

Dole – Jura Airport is located in the commune of Tavaux, 7 km southwest of Dole.

Laurent Patrick Fignon (12 August 1960 – 31 August 2010) was a French professional road bicycle racer. He won the Tour de France in 1983 and in 1984. He missed winning it a third time, in 1989, by 8 seconds, the closest margin ever to decide the tour. He also won the Giro d'Italia in 1989, after having been the runner-up in 1984, and the classic race Milan – San Remo in 1988 and 1989. He died from cancer on 31 August 2010.

Fignon was born in Montmartre, Paris. His family moved to Tournan-en-Brie in 1963, where he lived until he left for Paris at age 23.

His first sport was football and he got as far as playing for his département or area. Friends encouraged him into cycling and he rode his first official race in 1976, which he won. Fignon's parents did not want him to race, and he raced without them knowing. He won four more races in his first year, but only one in his second year. In this third year, he won 18 out of 36 races. Fignon's parents allowed him to race, but still thought that he should study. Fignon entered the University of Villetaneuse, doing Structural and Materials Science. This study did not go too well, and he left soon. He joined the army, and was posted at the Bataillon de Joinville, known for its sporting reputation. After this, Fignon was sure he wanted to pursue a professional career.