Discover Soyhières: castle, church art and hiking trails

In Soyhières, architectural history, sacred art and hiking are some of the things you can explore during a stay. Château de Soyhières, Église Saint-Étienne and Maison Chappuis each reflect different aspects of the past. Outdoors, the trails vary in scenery, passing streams, ponds, rock formations and the Birse. You can tailor the balance between culture and outdoor activity to your interests.

Castle and church art

Château de Soyhières was built in the 11th century by the Counts of Soyhières on a rocky cliff above the Birse. The château includes a keep, a large hall and a viewpoint on the terrace or esplanade. Guided tours for groups can be arranged on request.

Église Saint-Étienne was built between 1936 and 1938 to plans by architect Gustav Doppler. The church also houses older works of art: a crucifix by François-Joseph Mertenat from 1720, and Stations of the Cross figures from 1733, probably created by Conrad Berlinguer. Six stained-glass windows by André Bréchet adorn the interior of Chapelle Notre-Dame de Lourdes.

Another historic site is Crypte du Père Blanchard. It contains the tomb of Jean-Pierre Blanchard, the parish priest of Soyhières, who died on 22 November 1824. Maison Chappuis, meanwhile, is a building with rural Baroque architecture and is part of the Jura’s historic heritage. It is the birthplace of Mother Marie de Sales Chappuis. Guided tours cover aspects of the Jura’s past and present; for groups, tours can be arranged for up to 20 people and last 45 to 90 minutes.

Saint-Joseph Chapel in Riedes-Dessus is also part of the area’s architectural history: it was built in 1893 and consecrated in 1894. Together, the buildings reflect different historical and religious connections, spanning more than one period.

Hiking trails by landscape

Soyhières has numerous hiking trails. The De Réselle en Réselle hike follows the stream through the Combe de Mettembert and passes above Étang de la Réselle. The Sentier didactique runs along the banks of the Birse to the pond. It is accessible to everyone and offers information about local wildlife and plant life, as well as fish and their habitats.

The De la Birse au Roc de Courroux route starts in Soyhières and passes a series of rocky outcrops, culminating at the 802-metre-high Roc de Courroux. On the return journey, it follows the Birse back to Soyhières, with Vorbourg above on the left. Check trail conditions before setting out, as they may vary.

The marked Sentier Auguste Quiquerez runs from Delémont to Soyhières and is about ten kilometres long. On the return journey, you can visit Chapelle de Vorbourg and the Béridier viewpoint. The routes described therefore differ in features such as stream and pond sections, rocky outcrops, or the known approximate length of the Sentier Auguste Quiquerez.

More activities and getting there

Hiking is not the only activity: Soyhières also has climbing routes. Domaine Blattner offers wine tastings and other events. At Moulin à huile de Soyhières, visitors can watch the steps involved in making oil and learn about traditional techniques. The mill produces artisanal cold-pressed oils. The product range and opportunities to visit may change, so check what is currently available before planning a visit.

If you plan to travel by public transport, you can reach Soyhières by bus from Delémont. The routes offer different landscapes; when choosing one, you can consider whether you would prefer to include streams and ponds, rocky outcrops, or a marked trail with an approximate distance in your plans.

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