Holiday destinations in Switzerland

Delémont (German: Delsberg), the capital of the Jura canton, lies between the towns of Basel and Biel in the north west of Switzerland, near the French border. This historic town is embedded in the densely forested, hilly Jurassic landscape. Mediaeval buildings, neat house facades and attractive museums form the townscape of the old town.

The two neighbouring watch-making towns of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle are in the Jura close to the French border, in the canton of Neuchâtel (Neuenburg). La Chaux-de-Fonds, laid out like a chessboard — which is unusual for Switzerland — is regarded as the birthplace of watch-making worldwide and also as a major centre for the Jugendstil in Switzerland. The Jura countryside is a pleasant area for walking and cycling or cross-country skiing in winter.

The little mediaeval town of St Ursanne is in the heart of the Jura on the River Doubs. Highlights of this romantic place are the monastery with its cloisters and the Romanesque-Gothic collegiate church, whose origins go back to the 12th century. The nature reserve is an Eldorado for walkers and cyclists.

Region: Neuchâtel/Jura/Berner Jura
Canton: Bern
Altitude: 600 m - 800 m
Inhabitants: 51'162

Region: Neuchâtel / Jura / Jura Bernois
Canton: Jura (JU)
Altitude: 400 m - 1100 m

Region: Fribourg/Neuchâtel/Jura/Jura Bernois
Canton: Neuchâtel (NE)
Altitude: 991 m
Inhabitants: 37'287

Region: Freiburg / Neuenburg / Jura / Berner Jura
Canton: Neuenburg
Altitude: 500 m - 1400 m

Built out of yellow sandstone, Neuchâtel(or Neuenburg as German speakers call it) is located on the northern shore of Lake Neuchâtel and nestles against the Jura hills. The medieval centre of the town with its many cafes and restaurants, shops and numerous theatres and museums exudes French charm and is ideal for a gentle stroll

Centre and capital of the sparsely-populated Ajoie on the Swiss-French border is Porrentruy, a small medieval town dominated by an impressive castle. Porrentruy is often called the «cultural capital» of Canton Jura.

The landscape of the Franches Montagnes resembles a raw parkscape - undulating pastureland, interrupted by clusters of trees, dense pine forests, scattered farms and loose settlements with grazing cows and horses. The area is ideally explored on horseback, by bicycle or on foot.