Chevenez: Culture, Horse Riding and Landscapes in the Ajoie

Chevenez lies at 491 m above sea level in a valley basin in the western Ajoie, at the northern foot of the Folded Jura and around six kilometres west-southwest of Porrentruy (Pruntrut). When planning your trip, you can choose between different focuses, including culture, horse-riding opportunities and landscapes. If you are planning a stay, these features can help you decide what to focus on during your trip, such as church history, horse-riding opportunities or the landscape of the dry valley and the Lomont range.

Landscapes between the valley and the Jura ridge

In the central part of the former municipal area lies the 300–500 m-wide lowland of Chevenez’s dry valley; it opens eastwards towards the Allaine. Halfway to Porrentruy, the karst spring Creux-Genat lies in the dry valley and carries water only intermittently. To the south, the former municipal area extends to the Jura ridge of the Lomont range. The border between Switzerland and France runs along the ridge; the highest point in Chevenez lies at 923 m above sea level. The northern slope of the Lomont range is densely wooded and has several small valleys, most of which have no running water. The valley lowland, the intermittently flowing karst spring and the wooded slope offer different perspectives on the landscape; the Jura ridge adds a cross-border dimension.

Church and culture in Chevenez

Espace Courant d’Art is an art gallery and cultural centre in Chevenez. The Église de Chevenez was built in 1632; the nave and the entrance-hall tower were reconstructed in 1841–1842. When considering the church’s history, distinguish between its construction date and the reconstruction phase: 1632 refers to the building of the church, while 1841–1842 refers to the reconstruction of these two named parts. Chevenez thus brings together a church with a clearly documented date and a cultural centre as distinct cultural attractions.

Horse riding and trails

Ecurie de la Louvière is located on Route 14 of the Ajoie-Ouest riding trail network. Accompanied rides lasting a few hours are offered there, as well as rides and riding tours lasting one or more days. The time frame therefore ranges from a few hours to tours lasting one or more days—a useful distinction when planning your travel time. If this activity is the deciding factor for your trip, confirm availability in advance. The “Ajoie, Chevenez” tourist route runs up to the French-Swiss border.

Getting there and culinary stops

A PostBus service runs from Porrentruy via Courtedoux and Chevenez to Grandfontaine. If you want to use this service, check the current timetable before travelling, as routes and schedules may change.

A culinary trail through the Ajoie runs for 10 km from Porrentruy via Courtedoux to Chevenez. Typical Saint-Martin dishes are served at each of the eight stops. The distance and number of stops answer different planning questions: 10 km describes the route, while the eight stops mark the culinary sequence. If you want to include this activity in your plans, check the current event dates and programme in advance.

Discover more destinations: Courgenay Ju, Asuel, Rocourt Ju, Ocourt, Lugnez, Courchavon, Seleute, Coeuve

For the main travel overview: Porrentruy.