In Bonfol, a ceramic tradition spanning centuries meets the protected Étangs and their walking trails. The range of options is useful when planning your visit: a 800-metre circular trail winds through the wetland, with information boards along the way, while the 7.5-kilometre Sentier du Km 0 focuses on woodland and traces of the First World War. You can also visit the Musée de la poterie, follow a cultural and historical village trail, or make a pilgrimage to Saint-Fromont. This lets you choose what to focus on in Bonfol—culture, nature or activity—instead of trying to fit everything into a single day.
Pottery tradition, from clay to firing
Bonfol’s multicoloured clay was used to make pottery for several centuries. In 1830, half the village’s population worked in pottery—a historical glimpse into the importance of this craft in the village. The Musée de la poterie presents the craft and industrial activities associated with the local clay.
The permanent exhibition shows the stages of production, from clay found in the municipality through shaping and decorating to firing. Several hundred collection items from the 18th to the 20th century add to this overview. The museum also includes a reconstructed 20th-century pottery factory, where two old potter’s wheels can be partially put back into operation. An interactive space added in March 2014 illustrates the machinery and techniques involved in the transition from craft to industrial ceramic production, and is intended for classes and workshops.
Wetland and marked trails
The Étangs de Bonfol are a nature reserve and home to numerous plant and animal species. They are listed in the Swiss Federal Inventory of Fens of National Importance and the Federal Inventory of Amphibian Spawning Areas of National Importance. Three marked hiking trails around the Étangs feature information boards about forests, ponds, flora and fauna.
The Balade des étangs is an 800-metre circular trail with twelve boards about the wetland’s flora and fauna. For several years, hundreds of white storks have stopped in Bonfol during their migration. For a longer tour with a cultural and historical focus, the 7.5-kilometre Sentier du Km 0 passes through mostly flat, wooded terrain to remnants of the French, Swiss and German First World War front lines.
Village trail and distinctive paths
The cultural and historical educational trail «Découverte du village» leads to stops featuring murals, engravings and a smell game. An accompanying booklet contains historical, poetic and anecdotal texts. This gives the trail a different focus from the paths around the Étangs or the Sentier du Km 0.
The Piste finlandaise is a 500-metre woodland loop covered with a thick layer of wood chips. It is suitable for running, has ten playful installations and is also suitable for families. The Sentier d'argile is at the entrance to the village, next to a large sports field, and is also known as a barefoot or Kneipp trail. Along it, you walk over pebbles; after rain, you can also wade through liquid clay.
Plan your pilgrimage and journey
The Chapelle de Saint-Fromont was built by the parish of Bonfol in 1866 and is dedicated to Saint Fromond. Veneration of the saint dates back to the beginning of the 17th century; significant pilgrimages extended from the Doubs to Alsace. An official pilgrimage with a procession takes place on the day after Ascension Day. It leads from the church, past a spring topped by a statue, through fields and woods to the chapel. If you want to plan your visit around the procession, check the date in advance.
Bonfol is on Francovélosuisse cycle routes No. 645 «Entre Alsace et Jura Suisse» and No. 646 «Boucle de l’Ajoie». The village is also served by an SBB railway line from Porrentruy and by PostBuses towards Beurnevésin and as far as Porrentruy. Check the relevant timetables for your travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Seleute, Coeuve, Chevenez, Courchavon, Rocourt Ju, Lugnez, Saint-Ursanne, Ocourt.
For the wider travel overview: Porrentruy.
