Courtelary is a municipality of the French-speaking Bernese Jura , in the Canton of Bern in Switzerland. The town is the capital of the Jura bernois administrative district.

Courtelary is first mentioned in 968 as Curtis Alerici in a list of the properties of Moutier-Grandval Abbey . In 1179, Pope Alexander III elevated the Abbot to a Canon and confirmed the Abbots title to Courtelary.

In addition to Moutier-Granval Abbey, the Cathedral chapter of Saint-Imier owned properties in the village which were managed for them by the Lords of Fenis-Neuchâtel. However, while under the control of the Lords of Fenis-Neuchâtel, the valley became a bailiwick of the Prince-Bishop of Basel.