Auberge du Mouton, Porrentruy
A Timeless Swiss Escape in the Jura Mountains
Where Time Stands Still
This is the kind of place many of us dream about—whether to own it or simply escape to it. Tucked into the quiet charm of Porrentruy, far from the frantic pulse of the world, Auberge du Mouton stands like a postcard plucked from another era. A storybook Swiss inn dating back to 1715, it’s not just an address; it’s a feeling—of slow mornings, wooden beams warmed by centuries of sun, and food that speaks the local dialect fluently.
A Heritage That Whispers, Never Shouts
There’s an elegance in restraint here. With just 12 rooms, the inn captures that rare alchemy of being both intimate and elevated. Original stone walls, creaky staircases, and vintage woodwork meet a clean, minimalist design language—never cold, always inviting. Think linen curtains, soft lighting, and a kind of worn-in beauty that comes only with time and care. Each room feels like a personal retreat, curated with a quiet sophistication that encourages lingering. This isn’t just a hotel—it’s a home with history. And like all the best heritage buildings, Auberge du Mouton wears its age with grace. Every corner feels like a discovery, every detail a page from a well-loved book.
A Table Worth the Trip
But make no mistake—this is more than just a beautiful place to sleep. The inn’s Gault Millau-rated restaurant is a reason to journey here in itself. Rooted deeply in the flavors of the Jura, the kitchen is a celebration of terroir: mountain cheeses, local trout, forest mushrooms, wines from nearby vineyards. Plates are thoughtful, seasonal, and stunning without ever trying too hard. The dining room, like the inn, is warm and unpretentious—candlelit in winter, breezy in summer, with a rhythm that feels like real life, only better. This is hyperlocal dining, the kind that tells a story with every bite and leaves you wondering why food anywhere else feels so rushed.
The Art of Slowing Down
Auberge du Mouton isn’t a destination that demands to be conquered. It invites you to exhale, to walk the cobblestone streets of Porrentruy, to hike through wildflower-speckled trails in the Jura Mountains, or to simply do nothing at all—except sip, savor, and stare out the window at a world that’s moving just a little more slowly here. It’s a place built for moments, not itineraries. For long breakfasts, quiet reads, and that deep-in-your-bones contentment that only comes when the scenery, the setting, and the soul align.
The DNA Hotels Verdict
In a world that often prizes the flashy and the fast, Auberge du Mouton is a gentle reminder of the magic of the understated. It’s pure Swiss perfection, made for moments when getting away from it all is exactly what you crave—and when a place doesn’t just host you, but restores you. Because sometimes, the greatest luxury isn’t what a hotel gives you—but what it allows you to let go of.
Your hosts: Rebecca LEAVER & Samuel TOBLER
