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 AOP cheese in the Spielhofer cheese cellar in Saint-Imier
Tête de Moine AOP cheese in the Spielhofer cheese cellar in Saint-Imier. © Switzerland Tourism / Ben Zurbriggen
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, Orvin

Discover a passionate distillery, run by an experienced and creative distiller since 2018!

Passionate truffle growers share with you the mysteries of the symbiosis between the tree and the truffle.

Culture & Museums, Bellelay

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

Culture & Museums, Boudry

Immerse yourself in the history of wine at the Château de Boudry: a unique museum combining heritage, vines and Swiss wine-making traditions!

Culture & Museums, Boveresse

Discover and visit one of the last absinthe drying shed in the Val-de-Travers.

Culture & Museums, Courtelary

The Camille Bloch Visitor Center takes you on a journey of flavours and discovery.

Culture & Museums, Ligerz

Today's visitors learn about growing wine where the masters of Ligerz once enjoyed the good life.

Food & Drinks, St-Ursanne

Located in the medieval town of St-Ursanne, the Tonnebière brewery welcomes you in a friendly atmosphere for a visit or a tasting.

Culture & Museums, Porrentruy

Swiss Fruits and Distillery Museum

Guided tour, Biel

This historical gem has been converted into a production site for delicatessen foods.

   

Only available in French or German



More infos
Agenda: the next gourmet events
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, Môtiers

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

Festivity, Festival, Neuchâtel

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

Festivity, Festival, Ligerz / Gléresse

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

Gastronomy, Tastings, Neuchâtel

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

Gastronomy, Tastings, Courtemelon

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

Gastronomy, Tastings, Neuchâtel

The Neuchâtel winemakers open their doors to the public!

Gastronomy, Tastings, Twann

Taste the Lake Biel wine at its origin.

Tradition, Market, Craft

Do not miss out on the most important agricultural manifestation of the Grand Chasseral.

   
Shops and local hampers
Food & Drinks, Courtételle

The local grocery store in the heart of the Jura

Food & Drinks, Neuchâtel

Tea shop with regional products such as absinthe or chocolates.

Food & Drinks, La Heutte

Organic café-grocery, local and friendly.

Food & Drinks, Noiraigue

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

Gastronomy and Wines, Grandson

The Maison des Terroirs in Grandson is both a tourist office and a tasting centre for local specialities and wines.

Food & Drinks, Les Reussilles

Shop open from Tuesday to Saturday and Sunday at the end of the day. Store closed on Mondays.

Food & Drinks, St-Imier

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

Food & Drinks, La Chaux-de-Fonds

Fine market products presented in a covered area

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, Couvet

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