Regional products

Flavours

The Jura & Three Lakes region is renowned for its local produce. The specific type of soil, the green, fertile valleys and gentle slopes leading down to the lakes lend the regionally grown products their identity.

Tête de Moine
Tête de Moine. © Guillaume Perret
In the Jura & Three-Lakes region, the word “terroir” takes on a real meaning. The uniqueness of its Jurassic soils, the lush pastures of its valleys and gentle slopes leading down to the lakes lend the products of the area their identity, enhanced by the presence of regional nature parks.
 
Tête de Moine AOP
Both the famous Tête de Moine AOP cheese and the absinth spirit have their origins in the Jura & Three Lakes region and are produced by dedicated local manufacturers to this day.  
 
The Tête de Moine AOP from the Bernese Jura is a cheese which is served in a specific form and has a figurative name. Do you know its origin? Visit the Maison de la Tête de Moine in Bellelay and learn all the interesting details about its history.  
 
Camille Bloch
Those who love sweets will want to make a detour to the visitors’ center CHEZ Camille Bloch, the chocolate manufacture which is home to famous brands such as Ragusa and Torino.
 
Notorious absinthe
The history and secrets of the notorious aperitif absinth, praised, ill-reputed, and prohibited in the past, are explained at the Maison de l’Absinthe in the Val-de-Travers valley. Curious visitors as well as passionate consumers will be able to taste it in one of the numerous distilleries.  

Audacious Damassine  
The Damassine AOP brandy, made from small prunes grown in the Jura, is well worth mentioning too. Its history is presented at the Swiss Fruits and Distillery Museum, ″Ô Vergers d’Ajoie″.  
 
Wines full of character
We should not forget the numerous vineyards which lend the Three Lakes region its unique identity. Besides the most important grape varieties of the region, Pinot Noir and Chasselas, there’s also a fruity rosé variety, the Œil de Perdrix, as well as the Non Filtré, a fresh, well-rounded white wine.  
 
These exceptional products abound in the entire region and continue to be produced with dedication and passion. Throughout the year, numerous events are held in their honour.  
 
You can find further information about regional products together with useful addresses for exploring the Jura & Three Lakes region in the brochure "Terroir à savourer":

Useful links:
Fondation rurale interjurassienne
www.terroir-juraregion.ch
Facebook Terroir Jura Région

Neuchâtel – Vins et Terroir
www.neuchatel-vins-terroir.ch

Seeland agricultural organization
www.los-seeland.ch

Regional natural parks
Parc Doubs
Parc Chasseral
Places worth visiting
Food & Drinks, Les Ponts-de-Martel

Real time production of Gruyère AOC with an informative exhibition.

Culture & Museums, Courtelary

The Camille Bloch Visitor Center takes you on a journey of taste and discovery, a course of which you alone determine.

Culture & Museums, Bellelay

Museum, an old-fashioned cheese dairy, a cafe and a store selling local specialties revolving around Tête de Moine AOP cheese.

Guided tour, Aarberg

During this guided tour, visitors gain insight in the production of sugar and view the sustainable methods used in Switzerland to extract sugar from the beets.

Food & Drinks, La Chaux-de-Fonds

An immersion into the aroma and taste of coffee.

Food & Drinks, Twann

Individuals, couples and groups have the possibility to taste, compare and discuss the regional wines and to pick out their favourites in a welcoming atmosphere.

Culture & Museums, Môtiers

Discover the rich heritage of this mythic beverage.

Food & Drinks, St-Imier

The Spielhofer cheese factory is a family business that produces, among other things, the famous Tête de Moine.

Culture & Museums, Porrentruy

Swiss Fruits and Distillery Museum

Food & Drinks, Biel/Bienne

Chocolate specialities ranging from truffles and pralines to chocolate bars and from Seeland candies to the hugely successful chocolate cobblestones.

   

Only available in French or German



More infos
Agenda: the next gourmet events
Festivity, Festival, Ligerz / Gléresse

A cosy wine festival in the heart of the picturesque winegrowing village of Ligerz.

Gastronomy, Tastings, Courtemelon

Competition including more than 1,000 products of different regions of Switzerland. Large market.

Festivity, Festival, Môtiers

Discover absinthe by visiting distilleries, tasting and meeting craftsmen and enthusiasts on this unique day.

Festivity, Festival, Twann

The "Trüelete" is the largest and best-known grape festival on Lake Biel. Held at the vintner's village of Twann.

Festivity, Festival, Pays de Neuchâtel

A unique experience that embodies Neuchâtel's gastronomic traditions

Festivity, Festival, Neuchâtel

The vineyards of Neuchâtel in honor! Marching bands and parades, a festival you should not miss!

Riding, Saignelégier

On the second weekend of August every year, tens of thousands of people flock to the horse festival in Saignelégier: the Horse Show. The programme includes an equestrian show, a large exhibition, original horse presentations, an acclaimed traditional parade, unprecedented country races and Roman chariot racing.

Gastronomy, Tastings, Neuchâtel

The Neuchâtel winemakers open their doors to the public!

Gastronomy, Tastings, Twann

Taste the Lake Biel wine at its origin.

Gastronomy, Tastings, Neuchâtel

A full-on chocolate happening that will delight all gourmets!

   
Shops and local hampers
Food & Drinks, Courcelon

A vast choice of local products from the Jura and the surrounding region.

Food & Drinks, Couvet

Ideal to take home as a souvenir of your stay in the Val-de-Travers!

Food & Drinks, Neuchâtel

Tea shop with regional products such as absinthe or chocolates.

Food & Drinks, Porrentruy

Jams, fruit juices or Damassine AOP, produced and sold by Vergers d'Ajoie in Porrentruy.

Food & Drinks, Twann

Individuals, couples and groups have the possibility to taste, compare and discuss the regional wines and to pick out their favourites in a welcoming atmosphere.

Food & Drinks, Travers

After your visit to the Asphalt Mines or the discovery of the Minors' Garden, let yourself be tempted by an absinthe tasting of the Val-de-Travers!

Food & Drinks, Movelier

L'Association Borquet-Leuenberger in Movelier produce and sell various agricultural products.

Food & Drinks, Montfaucon

Offers a selection of regional specialities, organic foods, natural cosmetics and other gift items.

Food & Drinks, Noiraigue

At the end of your day, let yourself be tempted by a tasting of absinthe or Val-de-Travers chocolates!

Food & Drinks, Biel/Bienne

Chocolate specialities ranging from truffles and pralines to chocolate bars and from Seeland candies to the hugely successful chocolate cobblestones.