Gourmet Escapades
Maison de la Tête de MoineDemonstration dairiesCheese and charm in BellelayTasting on a carriageAbbey of BellelayCamille Bloch: the chocolate factoryPlaces of sale of regional productsRestaurants in the area
Maison de la Tête de Moine
The Maison de la Tête de Moine, located in a historic annex of the Bellelay Abbey, houses a museum, an old-fashioned cheese dairy, a café and a grocery store specializing in local products.
In the interactive museum you can learn more about the history and production of the famous cheese and admire an impressive collection of Girolles®. Several times a year, it is possible to watch the traditional production of Tête de Moine.
Of course, a tasting is possible at the end of the visit for the gourmands among you.
Demonstration dairies
There are seven cheese dairies in the Tête de Moine AOP production area: Corgémont, Fornet-Dessous, La Chaux-d’Abel, Le Noirmont, Saignelégier, Saint-Imier and Villeret.
Don’t miss the opportunity to stop at one of the demonstration cheese dairies to meet the producers of this delicious cheese, visit the premises, taste other cheese specialties… and bring back some souvenirs from this beautiful region.
Cheese and charm in Bellelay
This delicious offer allows you to enter the world of Tête de Moine AOP: a visit to the Maison de la Tête de Moine, a walk along the Libell’lay nature trail or a visit to the magnificent Bellelay Abbey followed by a Tête de Moine fondue tasting at the Auberge de Bellelay make up this gourmet stay.
Fondue tasting or gourmet aperitif on a carriage
In the Bellelay region, a number of unique activities allow you to combine culinary and equestrian pleasures. Horse-drawn carriage rides with fondue on board or gourmet aperitifs with Tête de Moine AOP will delight your eyes (and taste buds)!
Abbey of Bellelay
The Abbey of Bellelay plays an important role in the history of Tête de Moine AOP, as the monks were already making cheese here at the end of the 12th century.
Today, the Abbey is open to the public for visits and various events. Several options are available: individual or group guided tours, with an organ concert, or combined with a visit to the Maison de la Tête de Moine.
Camille Bloch: the chocolate factory
A little sweetness never hurt anybody. The Camille Bloch chocolate factory – which produces the famous Ragusa and Torino, among others – offers its visitors a journey of flavours. A discovery tour, an escape game and workshops are just some of the fun activities to be enjoyed. Not forgetting the bistro and the shop, where homemade specialities and Jura products take pride of place! As a bonus: the possibility to personalize your Ragusa.
Enjoy your discovery in the kingdom of chocolate!
Places of sale of regional products
Regional products can be found in the many grocery stores in the region or directly from the craftsmen. You can also find them at the Maison de la Tête de Moine in Bellelay, the Fromagerie des Reussilles and the Fromagerie des Franches-Montagnes in Le Noirmont, and Aux Couleurs du Terroir in Montfaucon.
A lot of information on the products of the region and their producers as well as on the good addresses to taste the regional soil are to be discovered via Terroir Jura Région.
Restaurants in the area
In order to taste the various specialities of the region, a trip to a restaurant is a must. Restaurants, cabins, cafés, inns and farmhouses: there is something for every taste and every budget.
Other discoveries
100% natural
The region offers a huge breath of fresh air with its vast pastures, lush valleys and rugged mountains, ponds and nature parks.
For nature lovers, the Chasseral Regional Park and the Doubs Regional Nature Park are an ideal gateway to discover the region’s flora and fauna. The Etang de la Gruère, to the east of Saignelégier, is home to a number of aquatic animals. The Centre Nature Les Cerlatez provides information on the natural wealth of the area for curious visitors.
For budding scientists, the Espace Découverte Energie and the Expo Electro are a must. A visit to the Astronomy Society allows you to admire celestial wonders.
The Franches-Montagnes on horseback, on foot or by bike
The Franches-Montagnes can be discovered at a trot or a gallop. The Franches-Montagnes horse is the only Swiss horse breed that originated in the region. It is therefore not surprising that many equestrian activities are offered to discover the high plateau and its surroundings! Visits to farms, exhibitions, guided rides, excursions in horse-drawn carriages and other horse-related activities – find all the information you need for your equestrian activities. In August, don’t miss the Marché-concours de Saignelégier, which brings together horse races, exhibitions and stands selling local Jura products.
For those who prefer to explore on foot or by bike, Jura & Trois-Lacs lists the various walking and cycling routes on its website. The Saint-Imier-Mont-Soleil Funicular also provides access to all sorts of activities by segway, scooter, bike, ski or bobsled.
A history of time
The region is marked by the history of the Jura watchmaking industry, which has its roots in the Franches-Montagnes in the 18th century. The Espace Paysan Horloger, the Musée de la Boîte de Montre, the Musée Rurale Jurassien and the Musée Longines invite you to discover the world of watchmaking. At Initium, it is possible to create your own Swiss watch.
Recurring events
Tête de Moine AOP FestivalOrganic and handicraft marketCompetition of swiss local foodMarché-concours de SaignelégierFoire de ChaindonThe JuBénales
Tête de Moine AOP Festival
Every year, the Tête de Moine AOP Festival is organised by the Tête de Moine AOP Interprofession at the end of April. This event takes place in Bellelay, around the Maison de la Tête de Moine.
Discover this jewel of Swiss culinary heritage through a rich programme of activities: shows, competitions, tastings and production of Tête de Moine AOP, restaurants and stands with numerous local products. And don’t forget the patron, the theme and the guest of honour cheese, which change every year
Organic and handicraft market
The Organic and Handicraft Market takes place every year on the third weekend of September in Saignelégier. Free and open to all, it brings together exhibitors from the Jura Arc (and beyond!), as well as events, forums and workshops. The Saturday evening will feature live music in a friendly atmosphere.
Competition of swiss local food
Not far from Delémont, the Fondation Rurale Interjurassienne organises the Swiss Competition and Market for Local Products every two years, which showcases the many regional and local specialities that exist in Switzerland.
The competition allows producers to have their specialities assessed and then to sell them at the Swiss Farmers’ Market. The aim is to promote quality, authenticity, craftsmanship and innovation. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to the products that are most appreciated by the juries, which are made up of people from all fields.
The Market brings together nearly 200 stands selling local products, as well as workshops and various events for young and old. Gourmets can find local Jura products such as Tête de Moine AOP and Damassine AOP.
Marché-concours de Saignelégier
The Marché-Concours National de chevaux was created in 1897 by the Franches-Montagnes Agricultural Society. Since then, this event has been organized every year during the second weekend of August.
It is an opportunity to attend horse races and competitions, but also to taste the local specialities offered on site.
Foire de Chaindon
The Foire de Chaindon is one of the largest fairs in Switzerland. Originally organized in the small village of Chaindon, from where it takes its name, it now takes place every year in Reconvilier, in September.
With nearly 500 stands, run by merchants and fairground workers from all over the world, the atmosphere of the Foire de Chaindon promises a unique experience!
The JuBénales
In June, the JuBénales celebrate the terroir of the Grand Chasseral. During a whole weekend, the Fondation Rurale Interjurassienne organizes several itineraries and activities to discover the region and its rich terroir. An event for gourmets not to be missed under any circumstances!
Special Packages
If you stay at least one night in the canton of Jura, you can benefit from free access to all public transport in the Vagabond zone with the JURA-PASS. Your place of accommodation will give it to you on arrival and it is valid until 00:00 on the day of your departure. It also allows you to benefit from reductions on several activities in the region.
If you stay at least two nights in the Vagabond zone, you will also receive a voucher for a free horseback ride! Moreover, from July 1st to October 31st, from 1 night in the Canton of Jura, a voucher for a Damassine AOP is offered to you by Ô Vergers d’Ajoie. The voucher will be given to you at check-in with your Jura-Pass.
A pass that allows you to discover “Bellelay, the Franches-Montagnes and their Tête de Moine AOP”, but also “Ajoie and its Damassine AOP”.
Accommodation in the region
In order to have time to discover Bellelay and the Franches-Montagnes from all angles – gastronomy, nature, culture – choose an accommodation offer that suits you. Hotels, guest houses, apartments, camping sites or agritourism are available in the region.
Regional actors
