Jura: Between Cultural Heritage and Dinosaur Tracks

Among ponds, forests and pastures, Jura reveals itself as a summer landscape. Jura is predominantly French-speaking and Catholic in character. Museums, medieval towns, dinosaur tracks and trails through the countryside offer a variety of experiences. When planning your stay, consider whether you would most like to explore architectural history, observe nature or enjoy outdoor activities.

Old Towns and Architectural History

In Delémont, the Musée jurassien d'art et d'histoire stands on the old town walls. Its buildings are part of an architectural ensemble dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. The permanent exhibition presents events that have shaped the Jura region and its inhabitants. The museum’s collections include historical, artistic, archaeological and ethnographic holdings. The Château de Delémont offers another perspective on architectural history: the Baroque building was constructed between 1716 and 1721 on the site of a medieval manor house.

In Porrentruy, the Château served as the residence of the Prince-Bishops of Basel from 1524 to 1792. The castle courtyard and Tour Réfous are freely accessible to the public every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; check visitor information before your trip. The Musée de l’Hôtel-Dieu is housed in a former hospital that served the sick of the town and the entire region from 1765 to 1956.

Saint-Ursanne combines a medieval townscape with the landscape of the Doubs: the town lies in a wooded valley. The Saint-Jean Bridge crosses four massive stone arches into the medieval centre. Those interested in regional history can explore not only museums, but also buildings whose functions and appearance reflect different eras.

Dinosaur Tracks and Nature

The “Sur les traces des géants” educational trail in Courtedoux is a circular route that takes about an hour and has little elevation gain. It leads to visible tracks left by herbivorous sauropods 152 million years ago. In Porrentruy, DINOTEC displays more than a hundred protected dinosaur tracks in an outdoor area open to the public; they can also be viewed at night. At the Fouilles du Banné, families and students can get hands-on experience of a palaeontologist’s work in the information pavilion and excavation area.

The Jurassica Museum in Porrentruy has been closed since September 2025 for an extensive renovation and redevelopment project; it is expected to reopen in 2027. Check the latest information before your visit. The JURASSICA Botanical Garden is dedicated to conserving plant species and includes more than 3,000 recorded plant taxa. Its collections include iris varieties, cacti, tillandsias, orchids and carnivorous plants.

The Pichoux Gorges also offer a natural-history perspective: they are listed in the Federal Inventory of Landscapes and Natural Monuments and are home to springs of remarkable quality. The rare mayfly species Baetis nubecularis was discovered there in 2002. It occurs only in the cold, oxygen-rich waters of the Jura Arc. The revitalisation of the ponds at Les Coeudres has protected numerous plant, insect, amphibian, bird and mammal species. Two observation hides with information boards are located on the site.

Exploring the Franches-Montagnes and Ajoie

For a shorter walk, consider the educational trail in Courtedoux, which takes about an hour and has little elevation gain. The La Randoline hiking loop offers a different kind of trail experience: it starts in Saignelégier and leads to the Étang des Royes and Les Cerlatez. About 200 steps lead to the Ermitage de St-Ursanne, where an Irish monk once settled. Take the steps into account when planning your visit and wear suitable footwear.

Those who prefer cycling can consider the challenging 56-kilometre tour through the landscapes of Ajoie, which combines history and prehistory. The Jura Bike Mountain Bike Route No. 3 also runs near Saint-Ursanne along the Doubs. The Chemins de fer du Jura has 74 kilometres of narrow-gauge railway in the Franches-Montagnes and the Bernese Jura. The network serves extensive recreational areas for hikers and cyclists, as well as cross-country skiers in winter. It mainly serves the Franches-Montagnes plateau and the Porrentruy–Bonfol line in Ajoie. Check the timetables when planning your trip, and check route conditions for the cycling tour.

Traditions and Regional Experiences

The Marché-Concours national de chevaux has been held regularly every year since its beginnings, with the exception of three years during the First World War. Visitors can watch horse competitions, riding displays and rural races. The Franches-Montagnes horse is the only horse breed of Swiss origin. At the Fromagerie des Franches-Montagnes, interactive games in the production area introduce visitors to traditional cheesemaking. Cheese and other regional products are also available for tasting outdoors. Check visitor arrangements and opening hours in advance.

November also brings a recurring culinary highlight: the St. Martin’s festival takes place on the second weekend of November, followed by Revira on the third. Restaurants in the region serve traditional St. Martin’s dishes; exact dates and participating establishments vary from year to year. When choosing a hotel base, consider which destinations you want to shape your stay—for example, museums and old towns, nature experiences, or walking and cycling routes. The rail connections mentioned above provide a regional overview; check the timetable when planning specific outings.

Discover more destinations: Boncourt, Franches-Montagnes, Delémont, Porrentruy, Graubünden, Aargau, Bern, St. Gallen.

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