Discover Porrentruy: Old Town, Château and JURASSICA

Porrentruy (Pruntrut) is a small town and the centre of the Ajoie region. If you are looking for a hotel in Porrentruy, you can plan your trip around the subjects that interest you most: urban history, palaeontology, botanical collections or regional fruit products. The attractions each offer a different focus and give you a clear overview of the town’s range of experiences.

Old Town, Château and Circuit Secret

Porrentruy’s Old Town can be explored on foot, with cobbled streets passing baroque townhouses. From 1524 to 1792, the Château de Porrentruy was the residence of the Prince-Bishops of Basel. Its architecture combines styles dating from the Middle Ages to the end of the 18th century. The Château includes a courtyard open to the public free of charge and the Réfous Tower. Check the latest access information before your visit.

The Circuit Secret Porrentruy uses a digital key to give access to several unusual places in the Château and Old Town. Some stops feature sound and light displays, and a gourmet version is also available. This gives you a choice of different ways to explore the town: historic sites, immersive displays or a culinary option.

Botanical Garden and JURASSICA

More than 3,000 plant taxa are catalogued in the JURASSICA Botanical Garden. Themed greenhouses showcase botanical collections in recreated environments. The park also features an educational apiary and an Apiparcours trail. The collections, greenhouses and park activities each highlight different aspects of the garden.

The JURASSICA Museum in Porrentruy has been closed to the public since September 2025 for an extensive renovation and redevelopment project; it is expected to remain closed until 2027. Check the latest information before your trip. The Botanical Garden is separate from the museum. Both the museum and the garden are served by PostBus route 75; the stop is called JURASSICA Museum. Check the timetable before travelling.

Discover palaeontological traces

At the historic Fouilles du Banné site, an information pavilion and excavation area have been open since the end of 2013. Families and students can try their hand at palaeontological work there. Dinotec in Porrentruy features at least 100 dinosaur tracks. Prepared sauropod and theropod tracks can be seen in the building’s courtyard. The two sites offer different experiences: Fouilles du Banné focuses on trying out palaeontological work, while Dinotec showcases visible tracks.

Hôtel-Dieu and its history

The Hôtel-Dieu served as a hospital from 1765 to 1956. Visitors can also see individual furnishings and cultural artefacts there, including the treasury of Saint-Pierre Church and the stained-glass windows of Saint-Germain. The Hôtel-Dieu pharmacy was fitted out in 1846 by cabinetmaker Jean-Baptiste Carraz. Here, you can encounter several chapters of history in one place: its former role as a hospital, the pharmacy and the ecclesiastical artworks on display.

Fruit products and guided tours

Ô Vergers d’Ajoie traces the journey of a fruit brandy, syrup or jam from the blossom in the orchards to the consumer’s palate. On a guided tour with tasting, you can sample these products as part of the tour on offer. Advance reservations are required for these tours.

Getting here by road

From Switzerland, Porrentruy is accessible via the A16 motorway. It is connected to both the Swiss national road network and the French motorway network. Porrentruy is also on the main road from Delémont via the Boncourt border crossing to Belfort in France; a secondary road leads directly to Montbéliard. Depending on your starting point, these road connections can help you plan your journey.

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