Porrentruy
Porrentruy is 195 km from Geneva Airport, roughly 2 h 30 by road, and the journey stays in Switzerland even though the town is almost surrounded by France. The main town of the Ajoie, in the canton of Jura, was for centuries the residence of the prince-bishops of Basel, and its baroque old town and castle still reflect that role. AirportsTransfers.ch drives you there door to door from Geneva arrivals.
- Distance from GVA: 195 km by road
- Drive time: about 2 h 30
- Border crossing: none on the route; France is close on three sides
- Best for: history, quiet countryside, dinosaur heritage
- Getting there: via Neuchâtel and Biel, then the A16 Transjurane
Getting to Porrentruy from Geneva Airport
The route follows the A1 towards Lausanne and Yverdon-les-Bains, then the A5 along Lake Neuchâtel to Biel/Bienne. From there it joins the A16, known as the Transjurane, a motorway that cuts through the Jura ranges in a series of tunnels and viaducts, passing Moutier and Delémont before crossing the Mont Terri into the Ajoie. The Transjurane has made this once remote corner of Switzerland far easier to reach, and the drive is smooth and largely free of heavy traffic.
In winter the Jura can be snowy, but the motorway is well maintained and the many tunnels keep long sections sheltered. Winter tyres are still advisable for the final local roads.
A town of prince-bishops
After the Reformation, the prince-bishops of Basel left their city and moved their court to Porrentruy, where they remained for more than two centuries. They transformed the town with stately buildings, and today its old town is among the most harmonious in the Jura, with baroque mansions, a former Jesuit college, a hospital with an elegant façade and fountains decorated with painted figures.
Above the town stands the Château de Porrentruy, the former residence of the prince-bishops. Its round Tour Réfous, one of the oldest parts, is a landmark visible from much of the surrounding countryside and can be climbed for views over the rooftops and the Ajoie plain. The castle now houses cantonal administration, but its courtyards and gardens are open to stroll through.
Dinosaurs and natural history
Construction of the A16 motorway brought an unexpected discovery: around Porrentruy, engineers and palaeontologists found thousands of dinosaur footprints preserved in the limestone, along with fossils from a shallow tropical sea that covered the region some 150 million years ago. The finds are presented at Jurassica, the museum and botanical garden in the town, which explains the geology of the Jura, the mountain range that gave its name to the Jurassic period. It is a good visit for families and anyone curious about natural history, and the exhibitions explain how and where the original tracks were uncovered along the motorway route.
The Ajoie countryside and food
The landscape around Porrentruy is gentle and agricultural, with orchards, small villages and woods running up to the French border. The region is famous for the damassine, a small red plum, and for the protected brandy distilled from it. Autumn brings the traditional Saint-Martin feast to the Ajoie, a celebration of rich pork dishes shared in village inns and at family tables, while Jura cheeses such as Tête de Moine are found throughout the canton.
- The Jurassica museum and botanical garden in Porrentruy
- Saint-Ursanne, a medieval town on the Doubs
- Delémont, the cantonal capital, along the Transjurane
- The Franches-Montagnes plateau with its horses and pastures
Practical tips
Porrentruy is small and easy to explore on foot, and its pace is relaxed, especially at weekends. Accommodation is limited to a few hotels and guesthouses, so book early if your visit coincides with a local event. Because the town is so close to France, it is also a practical base for travellers with business in both countries. A chauffeur by the hour, for at least two hours, is useful if your plans include several villages or sites in the Jura.
Reserving your Porrentruy transfer
AirportsTransfers.ch gives you a fixed price for your vehicle before you pay online, by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your chauffeur follows the flight, waits in arrivals with a name sign and adjusts to a late landing without charging for the extra wait. Child seats can be requested, and skis or sports gear should be declared at booking. Choose a Mercedes E-Class for up to three passengers or a V-Class van for families, with invoices issued for companies and return trips available. Questions are welcome on +41 78 346 56 77 by phone or WhatsApp, day or night.
