Château de Porrentruy

The Château de Porrentruy rises on a promontory above the old town, its towers visible for miles across the Ajoie plain. The core of the building dates from the 13th century, though the current appearance — a complex of towers and buildings in late medieval and Renaissance styles — reflects the long tenure of the Prince-Bishops of Basel who used it as their seat of government for over two centuries.

The main towers can be visited, including the Tour Réfous, which offers views over the rooftops and the plain beyond. The château grounds are pleasant to walk through. The building now houses cantonal offices and a portion is open to the public — check local tourist information for current visiting hours.

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A story
The château was the residence of the Prince-Bishops of Basel from 1527, when they were expelled from Basel during the Reformation, until the French Revolution ended their rule in 1792. For over two centuries, this corner of the Jura was not Switzerland at all but a theocratic principality governed by bishops — one of the more peculiar political arrangements of early modern Europe.

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