Bernese Jura, Administrative district in northern Bern, Switzerland
The Bernese Jura is an administrative district in the north of canton Bern comprising 40 municipalities spread across the Jura mountain range. The region includes small towns, villages, and agricultural areas dotted with distinctive limestone ridges and forested plateaus.
Following the Congress of Vienna in 1814, this territory was assigned to canton Bern after a period of French control during the Napoleonic wars. The region has remained part of Bern despite its French-speaking population.
French is the everyday language spoken by most people here, setting this region distinctly apart from the German-speaking rest of canton Bern. This linguistic identity shapes local customs and gives the area its own cultural character.
The best time to explore is from spring through fall when paths are easily walkable and the landscape shows its full greenery. Most villages are accessible by train or bus, and parking is readily available in the larger settlements.
The municipality of Moutier voted in 2021 to leave this district and join canton Jura instead, a rare example of a community changing its administrative affiliation. This shift is set to happen by 2026 and reflects the deep linguistic and cultural ties to the French-speaking Jura region.
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