Bourg-en-bresse: 5 Good Reasons To Visit This Town In Ain

Although it is less known than Lyon and less touristy than Aix-les-Bains, Bourg-en-Bresse is worth a visit for its historical heritage, gastronomy, and friendly atmosphere. We have listed five good reasons to visit this little-known destination in the Ain department.

1- To admire the Royal Monastery of Brou

The Royal Monastery of Brou, which was voted the French people's favorite monument in 2014, is one of the most beautiful flamboyant Gothic style monasteries in France.

This building, known as the jewel of Bourg-en-Bresse, was built out of love like the Taj Mahal in India... It was indeed constructed by Princess Margaret of Austria to honor her late husband, Philibert the Fair.

Today, it is one of the city's most visited sites for its spectacular architecture, cloister, stained glass windows, and finely sculpted tombs.

Note: about a ten-minute walk from the monastery, the Apothecary of the Hôtel-Dieu is another tourist attraction not to be missed. This former 18th-century pharmacy has been very well preserved and offers a unique glimpse into a bygone dispensary, with its woodwork and faience jars. Please note: this place can only be visited by reservation, on Saturdays at 2:30 PM.

2- To stroll through the Old Town

The Royal Monastery of Brou and the Apothecary are the two must-see tourist sites in Bourg-en-Bresse, but they are not the only places to discover, as this town in Ain is full of cultural and historical treasures.

Take Rue de la République to reach the old town and admire the Jacobins Gate, the former gateway of a now-vanished convent. Simply stroll through the cobbled streets of the historic center to discover well-preserved half-timbered houses, such as the famous Hugon Residence, located at the intersection of Rue Gambetta and Rue Victor-Basch.

With its Renaissance buildings and artisanal shops, the old center offers a typical atmosphere, where every street corner reveals a part of local history. Take the time to visit the Gothic-style Church of Notre-Dame: you will find beautiful stained glass windows and a peaceful atmosphere.

In this part of town, you can also shop and enjoy the many cafés for a well-deserved break.

3- To taste the local gastronomy

Just like its prestigious neighbor Lyon, Bourg-en-Bresse is a paradise for food lovers! The region is renowned for its Bresse chicken AOP, the only chicken in the world to benefit from a controlled designation of origin!

Some local restaurants highlight this free-range poultry, as well as other local products such as cream and cheese (particularly Comté and Bleu de Bresse).

On site, you can discover the wines of the Bugey valleys, typical of the Ain department, and taste the most iconic pastry of the area, the famous galette bressane. This pastry specialty, made of a soft leavened dough, thick fresh cream, and sugar, is baked to a golden finish. It can be enjoyed as a dessert or a snack, accompanied by coffee or tea.

4- To get away to the countryside

Bourg-en-Bresse is also a green city, rich with several parks and gardens. The two most popular green spaces for a walk or a family picnic are Parc de la Visitation and Parc des Baudières.

You enter Parc de la Visitation through a wrought iron gate, classified as a historic monument and originating from an old Bresse castle. Other curiosities deserve your attention: the old washhouse, the former water tower, the statue "The Return of the Grandfather" by Alphonse Muscat, and the mysterious "poype," a mound topped by an enigmatic column...

A true green lung of the city, the Forêt domaniale de Seillon, located a few kilometers from Bourg-en-Bresse, is another option for a nature walk. It indeed offers hiking trails, cycling paths, and orienteering courses for outdoor enthusiasts.

5- To enjoy cultural activities

The dynamic cultural life and the numerous events organized throughout the year are the last of the 5 good reasons to visit Bourg-en-Bresse. This city in Ain is particularly known for its dance festival in September.

It also has a House of Culture and Citizenship or MCC, which regularly organizes concerts, cultural events, and temporary exhibitions around contemporary art.

Every autumn, a highly anticipated event is the Saint-Martin funfair, which takes place at the Champ de Foire with its rides, treats, and colorful attractions.