Events & Agenda
Gourmet Gateway
A gourmet and sporty getaway following the trails of Tête de Moine AOP.
Dive into an unforgettable gourmet getaway in the heart of the iconic Tête de Moine AOP region! Begin this culinary adventure with an aperitif at La Couronne in Sonceboz, where a platter awaits you, adorned with delicious Tête de Moine AOP rosettes and locally labeled Grand Chasseral Regio Garantie products, all accompanied by a glass of local apple juice. After this appetizer, let yourself be carried away on a walk or bike ride to the Maison de la Tête de Moine in Bellelay. There, immerse yourself in the authentic atmosphere of this historically rich place and delight in a traditional Tête de Moine AOP fondue, while discovering the secrets of its production in the adjoining museum. A delicious dessert awaits you to crown this beautiful adventure around this cheese from our region. A gastronomic experience rich in flavors, discoveries, and wonders awaits you on this unforgettable gourmet escapade in the magnificent landscapes of the Grand Chasseral.
7th Festival of Tête de Moine 2024
We are delighted to announce the 7th edition of the Tête de Moine Festival, which will take place on 4 and 5 May 2024 in Bellelay. Under the theme "Our tradition" and sponsored by Chef Franck Giovannini, the event will include an international cheese platter competition and the best Tête de Moine AOP competition.
The Interprofession of Sbrinz AOP will be the guest of honor. Together, we will dive into "Our tradition" with a particular focus on Sbrinz AOP, originating from central Switzerland, precious raw milk cheese, just like the Tête de Moine AOP.
The program includes a cheese and regional product market, exhibitions, musical entertainment, culinary delights, agricultural cultural goods and many other activities on the historic site of the Tête de Moine. The public will also be able to evaluate the Tête de Moine from different producers in the region on Saturday morning, with the awarding of the public prize during the giant fondue under the marquee the same evening.
Farm animals will be exhibited in collaboration with the agricultural chambers of the Jura and the Bernese Jura, and guided tours of the Tête de Moine Museum will be organized throughout the weekend. Visitors will also be able to follow the traditional manufacture of the Tête de Moine over a wood fire, interact with a master cheesemaker and taste local products in about fifty chalets.
Guided tours of the abbey and the village of Bellelay are also planned. The objective is to attract several thousand visitors to Bellelay, the birthplace of the Tête de Moine AOP, and to introduce them to this generous cheese, its sector and its magnificent region.
On Sunday morning, the brunch prepared by the apprentices of the Rurale Interjurassienne Foundation will also be a good opportunity to regain strength.
Pre-registration for the fondue evening on Saturday 4 May and the brunch on Sunday morning 5 May 2024 are chargeable. For more information, please consult the website.
Libell'lay - Bellelay nature trail
The new Libell’lay nature trail invites visitors to discover the natural wonders of Bellelay from an entirely different perspective - that of the dragonfly.
The only nature trail in Switzerland dedicated to these fascinating insects with a name reminiscent of the fairy tales of childhood. Its 4.8 km wanders between lakes, rivers and marshes, an ideal environment for dragonflies. The trail includes 12 stations, each one dealing with a different aspect of the dragonfly, for example their voracious appetite, their extraordinary eyesight or their flight which inspired the invention of the helicopter. Taking the idea of the naturalist acting as a detective as its underlying theme, there is an activity to be completed and a puzzle to be solved at most of the stations.
At the Tête de Moine, the nature trail’s starting and finishing point, visitors can purchase a field notebook where they can record their answers to the questions and gather additional information to that already contained in the panels along the route. And there is a nice present waiting for nature’s detectives at the end of the walk!
Charging points for electric cars
The Maison de la Tête de Moine is proud to announce the provision of 2 free charging points for electric cars.
This initiative is part of our commitment to energy transition and sustainable mobility. The charging points are available to all visitors and offer a practical and ecological solution for recharging their electric car. The cars can be charged during the opening hours of the shop, Wednesday to Sunday 10.00 - 18.00.
Take advantage of them now!
Maison de la Tête de Moine
Le Domaine 1
2713 Bellelay, Switzerland
Phone +41 32 484 03 16