Marché-Concours Equestrian Event In Saignelégier

The Marché-Concours national de chevaux, usually called simply the Marché-Concours, is a horse festival held every year in Saignelégier, the main village of the Franches-Montagnes in the canton of Jura. It takes place over the second weekend of August, and it is one of the best-known rural events in French-speaking Switzerland, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to a village that is otherwise quiet. The festival dates back to the late 19th century, when it began as a market and competition to improve and promote the breeding of the Franches-Montagnes horse, the only native Swiss horse breed.

The Franches-Montagnes horse, also known as the Freiberger, is a medium-sized, strong and calm horse that was bred for farm work and for use by the army, and it is still a symbol of the Jura plateau. The Marché-Concours began as a way of judging breeding stock and trading horses, and these elements remain central. Judges examine the animals in rings, breeders show their best stallions, mares and foals, and there is a market where horses and ponies are sold. The competition gives breeders a chance to exchange knowledge and a prize for the best animals, and the atmosphere of a traditional livestock fair is part of the appeal.

Over time the festival has grown into a broader celebration of horses and rural culture. The programme includes a large parade of horses and riders in costume, with carriages, teams and groups from the region’s villages, as well as demonstrations of riding and driving skills and races. The traditional country races, in which riders race across the fields in front of crowds, are one of the highlights. Folk groups, brass bands and dancers perform, and stalls sell regional food, drink and crafts, so it feels like a village fair on a very big scale. The atmosphere is festive and family-friendly, with activities for children and many local people in traditional dress.

Visiting requires some planning. Tickets are sold for the main events, and the village fills with traffic and parked cars, so use public transport or park-and-ride arrangements where offered, and book accommodation early, since rooms in the region are in demand for the weekend. Details of the programme change each year, so check the official website for dates, tickets and timetables. The plateau can be cool in the evening even in August, so bring a jacket, and wear sturdy shoes for muddy grounds.

The festival suits horse lovers, families, photographers and anyone interested in Swiss rural traditions. Combine it with a walk to the Etang de la Gruère or the Rochers des Sommêtres on the days around the event.