Pleujouse Castle

Pleujouse Castle (French: Château de Pleujouse) sits on a rocky spur above the former village of Pleujouse, today part of the municipality of La Baroche in the Swiss canton of Jura. It is one of the oldest strongholds in the Ajoie region, and one where a history lesson and a meal go together.

How did Pleujouse Castle come about?

The castle was built around 1100 by the local nobles, who took their name from the place. They chose a rocky promontory that offered natural defence and a good view of the surroundings. The village gradually grew around the fortress. The place name already appears in records in 1105, written "Pluiusa".

Who ruled the castle?

From the 13th century the castle belonged to the Prince-Bishops of Basel, who granted or pledged it to the Pleujouse family and other noble houses. Some accounts add that the counts of Fribourg, Neuchâtel and Ortenburg held it in later centuries, and that it fell into ruin in the 17th century. Not every source confirms that part, so treat it with caution.

For centuries the Ajoie region belonged to the Basel bishopric, until 1792. It then came under French administration (until 1813), was part of the canton of Bern from 1815 to 1978, and afterwards joined the newly created canton of Jura. Pleujouse merged into La Baroche in 2009.

What remains of the old fortress?

Two parts of different ages survive:

• a round tower from the 13th century,
• a residential building from the 16th century, rebuilt after a fire in 1980.

In 1794, during the French Revolution, the castle was sold as national property. In 1924 an association bought it and took charge of its preservation. Since then it has been restored and altered several times.

Can you eat at the castle?

Yes. Since 1988 a restaurant has operated within the walls rebuilt after the fire. It gives you a good reason to climb the hill, see the walls and the medieval tower, and stay for a meal with a view of the countryside.

What legend is linked to the castle?

Local tradition tells of the "White Lady", Alie d'Asuel, and her lover Huson de Pleujouse. According to the tale, both were killed by men loyal to her father. As with most legends, the details are uncertain, but the story has become part of local folklore and adds atmosphere to the place.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Pleujouse Castle? In Pleujouse, now part of La Baroche in the canton of Jura, Switzerland, in the historical Ajoie region.

When was it built? Construction is dated to around 1100. The surviving tower is from the 13th century and the residential block from the 16th.

Is the castle a ruin? Not entirely. The tower survives, and the residential part was rebuilt after the 1980 fire and is in use.

Can I have lunch there? Yes, a restaurant has been housed here since 1988.

Who owns the castle? An association bought it in 1924 and has looked after it since. Check the restaurant's current opening hours before you travel.

Who is this place for?

The castle is a good stop for visitors exploring the canton of Jura and the area around Porrentruy who enjoy medieval strongholds and do not need a large museum route. It is a short visit combined with a meal rather than a full-day excursion. The surroundings suit walks, and the rock spur itself shows why the first fortress was built here.