Postcards from Switzerland: St Ursanne

For my birthday weekend it was my idea to visit St. Ursanne, a lovely town about a half hour drive away. We’d been there in our first year for the medieval festival that takes place every July, but not since then.

The patron saint with his legendary bear, with view across the river Doubs to the town
Apples and roses
The Collegiale (church)
Memento mori on the church wall
Archway that seems inspired by Chartres, with its seated Madonna and Child
Strange capitals that include mermaids and a wolf being taught in school
Detail of interior with restored decoration
Vaulting of the church
Archway through the town wall
We hiked up to the “hermitage” where the saint retreated
View of the town from above

The town was much quieter than during the festival, without many shops or other sights, and it was too hot to do much hiking. We enjoyed ice cream and a drink and the quiet atmosphere — at least, away from the main road and its motorcycle traffic.

Hope you enjoyed this glimpse as well!

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12 thoughts on “Postcards from Switzerland: St Ursanne

  1. This is lovely! When my brother was stationed in Rome, I so enjoyed visiting and having him say as we ate breakfast, “Today we are going to drive to a delightful medieval town . . . .” I am planning a trip with my mother in the spring. Unfortunately, we will not get to Switzerland but we are going to Bruges, which she has wanted to do since reading Dorothy Dunnett’s Niccolo books.

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