Summary of Attractions in Bourg-en-Bresse
This medieval city located in Eastern France was once a capital of the expansive Duchy of Savoy. One of its most renowned monuments is the Royal Monastery, established in the early 1500s as a burial ground for the Dukes and their families. Margaret of Austria was a pivotal figure in its inception, and her narrative is truly compelling.
The historical center of Bourg-en-Bresse is adorned with charming half-timbered houses that serve as shops and local businesses, thereby enhancing their vitality and presence. Furthermore, taking a trip into the expansive Bresse countryside, which has its own distinct character, is highly recommended.
Let us delve into the most notable attractions in Bourg-en-Bresse:
1. Royal Monastery
The Royal Monastery is recognized as a national monument in France, originally conceived by one of Renaissance Europe’s most influential women as a dynastic burial site.
Margaret of Austria, the Duchess of Savoy, governed the Habsburg Netherlands twice during the early 16th century.
A guided tour reveals much of the monastery’s history, featuring three magnificent two-storey cloisters.
Take a moment to appreciate the intricate glazed tiling on the church’s roof, and enter to view the remarkable marble tomb effigies crafted by Conrad Meit, depicting Margaret, her husband Philibert, and his mother Margaret of Bourbon.
2. Musée de Brou
Located within the second cloister of the monastery, Bourg-en-Bresse’s municipal museum is a treasure trove of history.
Many of the exhibits derive from Thomas Riboud, a benefactor who preserved the monastery in the 19th century and later bequeathed his art collection to the city.
This museum primarily showcases paintings spanning the 15th to 19th centuries by both French and Flemish artists.
Noteworthy works include portraits of the monastery’s founder, Margaret of Austria, and her nephew, Emperor Charles V, by Charles’ preferred artist, Bernard van Orley.
Additional exhibits encompass earthenware, furniture, and religious sculptures dating back to the 17th century.
3. Old Town
Take the time to explore Bourg-en-Bresse’s historic center.
You will often encounter unexpected delights, such as the Maison Gorrevod, a grand 15th-century timber-framed house located discreetly on Rue du Palais.
At 5 Rue Teynière, you will find a glimpse of Ancien Régime elegance at the splendid Hôtel Marron de Meillonnas, a mansion featuring an interior commissioned by the titular Baron in 1772. While wandering, you will find charming specialty shops offering local delicacies, including wine, poultry, chocolate, corn-flour biscuits, and bleu cheese from the surrounding area.
4. Demeure Hugon
Also referred to as the Maison de Bois (Wooden House), Demeure Hugon is an exquisite colombage house located at 16 Rue Gambetta.
Constructed in 1496, the ground floor is currently occupied by a high-street retail chain, yet a small plaque near the entrance marks its historical significance as an official monument.
The lower level retains its original openings from 500 years ago, while above it, three stories of timber framing project outward, supported by corbels.
5. Apothicairerie de l’Hôtel-Dieu
The former hospital of Bourg-en-Bresse is located a few streets southeast of the town center.
Established in 1782, this hospital features a pharmacy that has remarkably remained unchanged for over 200 years.
Originally managed by nuns until its closure in 1963, it has since reopened as a museum, providing a unique glimpse into historical medical practices.
The facility consists of two rooms lined with shelves and a working laboratory.
The beautifully crafted wooden cabinets, filled with antique books, jars, and packages, reflect a design transition between Louis XV and Louis XVI styles.
Many original medicinal containers still house their initial contents, though some ingredients may surprise you!
6. Église Notre-Dame
This church, constructed in the 1500s with brilliant white stone, reflects the transition from the Flamboyant Gothic style to the emerging Renaissance architecture.
As a result, it showcases a blend of both styles, with Gothic elements evident in the apse and nave, while the later western facade and domed tower are distinctly Renaissance.
Inside, visitors can observe intricately carved wooden choir stalls from the 1530s, a Black Madonna statue from the 13th century, a sculpted pulpit from 1760, a grand organ from 1682, and exquisite stained glass windows dating back to 1526.
7. Porte des Jacobins
Situated at the intersection of Rue Jules Migonney and Rue de la République, this architectural remnant possesses a fascinating history.
The Porte des Jacobins is a portal from a 15th-century convent, with the delicate pointed arch being the sole remnant following the building’s destruction during the Revolution.
Pause here and appreciate the historical essence before venturing to Rue Jules Migonney, where an appealing row of timber-framed houses once served as workshops for drapers and weavers in medieval times.
8. Bresse Countryside
Bourg-en-Bresse is situated in a distinctive farming region characterized by its unique cuisine, dialect, architecture, and customs.
A classic Bresse farmhouse features half-timbering, with ears of corn hanging from the porch.
The roof is often adorned with a “Saracen” or Moorish-style chimney, reminiscent of a minaret.
While traversing Bresse, you will notice the farmland, enriched by numerous tributaries of the Saône River, and filled with poultry farms that raise over 1,200,000 chickens annually.
This region is easily accessible with show farms and museums showcasing Bresse’s rich heritage.
9. Pérouges
This walled hilltop village evokes a sense of having stepped back in time.
Though small, Pérouges boasts over 80 buildings recognized as historic monuments, lining its winding cobbled streets.
Most structures are either rustic stone cottages or half-timbered houses, with wisteria gracefully climbing their walls.
The village square features a 200-year-old lime tree, and visitors can ascend the village’s watchtower, once part of a medieval castle.
Consequently, it is no surprise that Pérouges has served as a filming location for numerous historically-themed films.
Since 1921, four adaptations of the Three Musketeers have utilized these picturesque streets for their scenes.
10. Grottes du Cerdon
Taking an excursion from Bourg-en-Bresse to these caves provides a unique underground experience.
While viewing the expected stalactites and stalagmites and observing the drip of calcium-rich water, you will also be in the historic home of Upper Paleolithic hunter-gatherers, who utilized the caves as far back as 17,000 years ago, leaving behind bones, tools, and weapons.
A standout feature of these caves is the spectacular belvedere, a prehistoric shelter that overlooks the vineyards of the Cerdon Valley.
11. Ferme de la Forêt
During your exploration of the enchanting Bresse countryside, a visit to an authentic farm outside Courtes offers the chance to connect with traditional practices.
The museum is hosted within a centuries-old farmhouse that remained operational until the 1970s.
Admiring the half-timbered structure, complete with a Moorish-style chimney, a first-floor gallery, and an immense four-ton wooden beam is a delight in itself.
Inside, the farmhouse is adorned with Bressan furnishings, tools, and kitchenware.
The outer area features stables filled with antique horse care equipment and a classic kitchen garden.
12. Musée Départemental de la Bresse
Located at Saint-Cyr-sur-Menthon, this attraction offers in-depth insights into Bresse’s culture and history.
The museum is situated on an expansive estate with a rich architectural heritage dating back over 600 years.
The stunning half-timbered manor features a “Saracen” chimney and is complemented by a modern exhibition space that thoroughly explores the nuances of Bressan culture.
Exhibits include costumes, models illustrating construction techniques, musical instruments, and an extensive collection of over 1,700 restaurant menus dating back to the 1800s, showcasing culinary ingredients and customs.
13. Musée de la Mécanographie
This unique museum focuses exclusively on typewriters and calculating machines.
It boasts the only collection of its kind in France, with over 300 typewriters and calculators spanning the last 300 years.
Accompanying descriptions delve into the technological advancements and the inventors behind these innovations.
If vintage items capture your interest, you will appreciate the typewriters from the 1950s and 60s, and knowledgeable staff members, who have intimately engaged with this equipment, provide demonstrations.
14. Parc de Loisirs de Bouvent
During the hot summer months, the inland regions of France can feel stifling; however, a nearby beach and swimming area are readily accessible.
The Bouvent leisure park is situated almost at the city limits, offering 56 hectares of parkland featuring a lake and golf course.
When temperatures rise, you may be tempted to relax on the supervised beach or in the pristine waters of the lake.
Nonetheless, the park also boasts a robust activity center with sailing and kayaking facilities, as well as options for rowing boat rentals.
On land, visitors can engage in table tennis, volleyball, walking trails, and enjoy the nine-hole golf course with a driving range.
15. Food and Drink
At the core of a region celebrated for its exceptional poultry, the chicken from Bourg-en-Bresse is truly outstanding.
The area’s signature dish, Bresse Gauloise chicken, is served in a sumptuous cream sauce and pairs beautifully with the regional dry white Bugey wine.
Another local specialty to savor is the quenelle, a dish of creamed freshwater fish poached in a sauce of cream, béchamel, or tomato along with crayfish.
Additionally, frog legs enjoy great popularity in this region, while for dessert, the Galette Bresanne offers a distinct experience as a praline pie.
