Pleujouse Castle

The origins of Pleujouse Castle date back to the 11th century, when a noble family, already owning estates in the Elsgau, founded a castle on a rocky spur around 1110 and subsequently adopted the name Pleujouse. Lutfridus of Pleujouse was first mentioned in documents in 1105. The family maintained close ties with the Cistercian Abbey of Lucelle, serving as its benefactors and protectors. In the 13th century, the castle came into the possession of the Bishop of Basel, whose secular power was growing at the time. Over the centuries, Pleujouse changed hands multiple times, often through pawning, and was involved in conflicts between the Bishop, the Counts of Pfirt, and Mömpelgard. Around 1340, it belonged to the Lords of Ramstein, later to the Knights of Nant and the Counts of Neuchâtel. In the 15th century, after a military campaign triggered by the Bishop's redemption of the pledge, the fief passed to the Mörsberg family. During the Armagnac War, the castle was conquered and burned by the Confederates allied with Basel, but was rebuilt. It remained in the possession of the Mörsberg family until 1582, before passing to the Counts of Ortenburg. During the Thirty Years' War, it was occupied by Bernhard of Weimar's troops. After the troops' withdrawal and the death of the last Ortenburg widow in 1660, the castle reverted to the Bishop and subsequently served as the residence of the princely master of the hunt, while the fortifications fell into disrepair. During the French period, it was sold as national property and an inn was established. In World War I, it served as a cantonment. In 1924, a society of history enthusiasts acquired the property, but a fire destroyed it again in 1980. The Canton of Jura has since been working on its reconstruction.

Pleujouse Castle is located in the village of Pleujouse, in the Porrentruy district of the Canton of Jura, Switzerland, at an altitude of approximately 570 meters above sea level.

Visitors can explore Pleujouse Castle today. Additionally, it houses a restaurant, inviting guests to linger.

• Asuel Castle Ruin (castle), approx. 1.4 km away
• Miécourt Castle (castle), approx. 3.5 km away
• Château de Morimont (castle), approx. 3.8 km away
• St. Ursanne Ruin (castle), approx. 6.5 km away