The historic center of Dole has preserved narrow medieval lanes which refer to the beginnings of the city erected as a capital by the Counts of Burgundy in the 11th century. In the first half of the 12th century, the city experienced a real boom under Count Renaud III. It was surrounded by a solid wall and had a large stone bridge built over the Doubs as well as several mills along its course. Trade and craftsmanship were developed and a fair was established in Dole as well as a Cistercian monastery, a Bernardine priory, a Temple commandery and a Saint-Jacques hospice.