The Canton of Jura is Switzerland’s youngest canton, created in 1979 following a process of separation from the Canton of Bern. With approximately 73,000 inhabitants spread across some fifty municipalities, it is a human-scale canton in the north-west of the country, bordering France (Franche-Comte and Alsace). Its capital, Delemont, is a small, dynamic town nestled in the Sorne valley.
The Jura is a rural, hilly canton traversed by the folds of the Jura mountain range. Its landscapes alternate between green valleys, fir and spruce forests, high-altitude pastures and picturesque limestone villages. The canton is organised into 3 districts: Delemont (central valley), Porrentruy (Ajoie, to the north) and the Franches-Montagnes (high plateau, to the south). This topography directly influences moving conditions.
One of the Jura’s great assets is its quality of life: unspoilt nature, low density and tranquillity.
Why move to the Jura?
The Canton of Jura is attracting more and more residents for several reasons:
- Accessible housing: houses with a garden are easier to find than in the Lake Geneva arc
- Quality of life: nature everywhere, clean air, low population density, safety
- French-speaking: the Jura is one of the most French-speaking cantons in Switzerland, ideal for francophone families
- Improved connections: the A16 motorway (Transjurane) now links Delemont to Biel/Bienne and the Swiss motorway network
- Culture and traditions: rich heritage, folk festivals, local gastronomy (totche, damassine)
- Arrival of Moutier: the transfer of Moutier from the Canton of Bern to the Jura strengthens the canton and generates new flows
The challenges of moving in the Jura
Jura topography
The canton is characterised by medium mountain terrain (between 400 and 1,300 m altitude). Roads cross passes and valleys with sometimes pronounced gradients. The Franches-Montagnes, a plateau at 900 to 1,100 metres, is particularly exposed to harsh winter conditions.
Dispersed settlement
Unlike urban cantons, the Jura has many scattered villages and hamlets, with renovated farmhouses and detached houses sometimes far from main roads. Access to these properties may require smaller vehicles and rural tracks.
Built heritage
The canton has a rich architectural heritage with typical limestone houses, massive Jura farmhouses with vast roofs and historic buildings in the town centres. Staircases are often narrow and doors small in these older buildings.
Winter conditions
Jura winters are harsh, with frequent snowfall, especially in the Franches-Montagnes and on the higher ground. Temperatures can drop well below -10°C. Roads are well maintained but heavy snowfall days can complicate moves. Mountain moves are best planned between April and November.
Proximity to France
The Canton of Jura shares a long border with France (Franche-Comte and Alsace). Many residents work on both sides of the border, generating regular cross-border moves.
Moving services in the Canton of Jura
- Residential moving: service adapted to Jura homes, from town flats to renovated farmhouses
- Commercial moving: offices, workshops, agricultural businesses
- Free quote: compare offers from professional movers in your area
- Professional packing: careful protection of your belongings for transport
- Storage: storage solutions in Delemont and Porrentruy
- End-of-lease cleaning: full property restoration
- Specialist transport: heavy objects, machinery, agricultural equipment
- Cross-border moving: to neighbouring France (Alsace, Franche-Comte)
What affects the price of a move in the Canton of Jura
The price depends on your situation and is set in the free quote from the movers who contact you.
- Volume: renovated Jura farmhouses are often very large
- Accessibility: hilltop villages and isolated farmhouses may require an adapted vehicle and more time
- Distance: between the 3 districts (Delemont, Porrentruy, Franches-Montagnes), mountain roads extend journey times; moves to Neuchatel or neighbouring France also depend on distance
- Floors and access: stairs, narrow doors, lift or furniture lift
- Date and season: in winter, the Franches-Montagnes roads (800-1,100 m) can be snowy
- Additional services: packing, cleaning, storage
Main towns and municipalities in the Canton of Jura
- Delemont: cantonal capital (~12,500 pop.), administrative and economic centre, good rail connections (Basel-Biel/Bienne line), SBB station on the Transjurane axis
- Porrentruy: second town (~7,000 pop.), historic Ajoie town with its hilltop castle, medieval charm
- Haute-Sorne: merged municipality (~6,500 pop.), in the Sorne valley, green rural setting
- Val Terbi: merged municipality south of Delemont (~4,000 pop.), rural and green setting
- Saignelegier: capital of the Franches-Montagnes (~2,500 pop.), famous National Horse Market, plateau at 1,000 m altitude
- Le Noirmont: Franches-Montagnes municipality (~2,000 pop.), watchmaking tradition and unspoilt landscapes
- Fontenais: Ajoie municipality (~2,500 pop.), between Porrentruy and the French border
Services available in the Jura
- Residential moving: the main service for households
- Commercial moving: offices, workshops, SMEs
- International moving: to neighbouring France
- Free quote request: simple and fast
Tips for moving in the Canton of Jura
- Choose the right time: avoid December to March for moves in the Franches-Montagnes
- Check access: inform the mover of any narrow track, rural road or unusual access to your property
- Give a precise description: volume, floors and access help movers prepare an accurate quote
- Plan the transport: distances between districts can be long due to the terrain (Porrentruy-Saignelegier = 35 km but 45 min by road)
- Compare the quotes: request a free quote and compare the offers you receive
- Coordinate services: cleaning, moving and possibly painting on a single schedule
- Prepare cross-border paperwork: if coming from France, prepare customs documents for the transfer of your belongings
- Find out about Moutier: if your move is linked to the transfer of Moutier to the Jura, check for any administrative changes
FAQ — Moving in the Canton of Jura
Questions fréquentes
Volume, distance, floors and access, furniture lift, packing, date and any added services. Request a free quote to get a price suited to your situation.
Yes, but you need to account for the harsh winter conditions (heavy snow, very low temperatures). Roads are generally well maintained, but on days of heavy snowfall it may be wise to postpone. Local movers are used to these conditions.
Local movers have adapted vehicles (vans, small trucks) to reach isolated farmhouses. Flag any access constraints (dirt track, slope, limited width, gate) when requesting your quote. Manual carrying may be necessary for the last stretch.
Yes, some professional movers in your area carry out cross-border moves between the Swiss Jura and neighbouring France (Belfort, Montbeliard, Pontarlier, Alsace). Customs formalities apply.
As early as possible, especially around the main moving dates at the end of quarters. As the Jura is a small canton, availability is often better than in the larger urban cantons.
Yes, some professional movers in your area also offer end-of-lease cleaning. Mention it in your request so it can be included in the quote.
Request your free quote for a move in the Jura
Describe your move and the site passes your request to professional movers in your area. Request your free quote and receive proposals tailored to your situation.
Whether you are moving to Delemont, Porrentruy, the Franches-Montagnes or a picturesque Jura village, professional movers in the area can help throughout Switzerland’s youngest canton.