Delémont offers a range of different discoveries: restored Old Town buildings, history at Vorbourg, railway heritage and a place for birdwatching. You can choose the focus of your stay according to whether you are particularly interested in urban history, religious art, technology or nature.
Old Town, market and regional history
Many of Delémont’s historic Old Town buildings have been beautifully restored. The weekly market and monthly fair are recurring events in this setting: the market takes place every Wednesday and Saturday morning, while the fair is held once a month. To explore the history-filled streets, Jura Tourism offers a guided tour of the Old Town.
The Musée jurassien d’art et d’histoire devotes its permanent exhibition to events that have shaped the Jura region and its inhabitants. The collection also includes an ornate bishop’s crozier from the 7th century, considered the oldest known of its kind in the world. The museum offers visitors of all ages both self-guided and guided activities, as well as outdoor activities. If you have a particular activity in mind, it is worth checking the current programme.
Vorbourg: chapel and medieval traces
The Notre-Dame du Vorbourg chapel was rebuilt in 1586 and restored in 1969/70. It houses a 17th-century statue of the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child, said to work miracles, as well as numerous ex-votos. These religious artworks offer a different perspective from the regional history presented in the museum.
The remains of a feudal castle have also been preserved at Vorbourg. The knights of Telsperg lived in the castle from the 11th to the 15th century. The ruins and the chapel’s history thus represent different historical themes associated with the name Vorbourg.
Nature watching and paths along the Birs
East of Delémont, the Réserve du Colliard lies right by the confluence of the Sorne and the Birs. The area is used for birdwatching. Delémont residents also regard it as a starting point for walks, on foot or by bicycle: along the Birs towards Soyhières, and on the route to Courroux. Birdwatching and getting active along the Birs are two different reasons to explore this natural area.
The CFF Rotonde and its railway heritage
The CFF Rotonde is a former locomotive shed dating from 1889. Its polygonal, semicircular hall has 13 doors and a central turntable, where historic steam locomotives are kept. If you would like to visit the Rotonde, you can contact the CFF railway station.
Each attraction has a different focus: a guided tour explores the history of the Old Town, the permanent exhibition looks at the Jura region, and the Rotonde puts railway architecture in the spotlight. Nature lovers can discover Delémont from a different perspective through birdwatching at Colliard and the paths along the Birs described here.
Discover more destinations: Courfaivre, Undervelier, Bourrignon, Vermes, Courroux, Saulcy, Soyhières, Glovelier.
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