Bourg-en-Bresse: Best Things to Do

Pixabay - Photo by Peter H

Bourg-en-Bresse is a medieval city in Eastern France and is also one of the capital cities of the Savoy Duchy which stretches across Europe.

Known as a medieval city, there is a Royal Monastery dating from the early 1500s which was established as a place to bury and respect the dukes and their families.

The center of the old town of Bourg-en-Bresse is sprinkled with half-timbered houses that have been turned into museum objects used for shops and supplies, which somehow make them more alive.

Traveling to its rural place in Bourg-en-Bresse will give you a more lively impression with old and ancient buildings.

After all, Bourg-en-Bresse is an ideal destination for those who want to feel the real medieval age atmosphere.

SIGHTSEEING

Located between three other cities (Bresse, Dombes, and Revermont) the town of Bourg-en-Bresse, the capital of Ain, is famous for the Royal Monastery of Brou, whose beauty is a masterpiece of flamboyant Gothic art. In addition to this architectural gem there is an extraordinary city museum, containing a beautiful collection of French, Flemish and Italian art from the 15th to the 20th centuries. There are many historical places from the Middle Ages that can be explored in this city. One of the most iconic landmarks is Porte des Jacobins, an entrance monument in the city of Bourge.

Porte des Jacobins

Ancient monumental stone entrance, in Bourg en Bresse.

It is the oldest building in Bourg-en-Bresse, the convent having been destroyed during the Revolution.

To discover while strolling in the city.

Address : 1 Rue de la République, 01000 Bourg-en-Bresse, France

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DOWNTOWN

In the downtown, Bourg-en-Bresse has many reminders of its rich past. Old wooden framed houses from the 15th and 16th centuries, such as Gorrevod House and Hugon House for example, 18th-century houses such as Jacobins Gate, Marron de Meillonnas, and Our Lady's Cathedral, were built in the Renaissance style in exterior and flamboyant gothic style in the interior, with glass windows and stalls from the 16th century. The 18th-century Apothicairerie de l’Hôtel-Dieu is also worth a visit because of its laboratory, pharmacy with exceptional wood paneling, and a collection of ceramic pots.

Apothicairerie de l’Hôtel-Dieu

Superb old place, to see.

Very interesting and very beautiful.

The story is told with passion.

The guide shares his knowledge with a lot of passion.

Address : 47 Boulevard de Brou, 01000 Bourg-en-Bresse, France

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SHOPPING

Although it is a furniture shop, CASA Bourg en Bresse Lecrec also provides a variety of interesting products to be used as souvenirs. You can get interesting items and get souvenirs typical of the city of Bourg at attractive prices.

CASA Bourg en Bresse Lecrec

Decoration shop for all the coins.

There are many original and interesting products.

The prices are varied, accessible to all budgets.

Nice and welcoming staff.

Address : Pôle Commercial Cap Emeraude, 421 Avenue François Pignier, 01000 Bourg-en-Bresse, France

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FOOD & DRINK

Typical food and drink you can try in Bourg is varied. The red wine is one of the famous wines in the city. Other French cuisines also available in almost every corner of the city. Numerous restaurants and bars are available to stop.

CULTURE

The medieval age heritage in Bourge is the main element that still exist till today. The gothic architecture of the buildings will take you back to the medieval ages. French is the common language spoken in the city.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The best times to visit Bourg-en-Bresse for ideal weather are May 7th to October 14th based on average temperature and humidity.

HOTEL

Best Western Hôtel de France is located in a large house built in 1853, this luxury hotel in the city center is 2 km from the Gothic-style Royal Brou Monastery and 4 km from the Bouvent recreation park. These elegant and sleek rooms offer free Wi-Fi and satellite TV, plus tea and coffee makers. The upgraded rooms add to the minibar, and the suite has a living room and pull-out sofa. Room service is available. ibis Bourg-en-Bresse is an 8-minute walk from Monastère de Brou, this direct budget hotel is also 2 km from the Ainterexpo performing arts theater. Featuring free Wi-Fi, sleek modern rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs and desks.

Best Western Hôtel de France

Pleasant hotel for staying with your whole family.

It provides excellent amanties,spacious room and comfy bed.

It also provides superb breakfast at nice restaurant in a calm atmosphere.

The staff are welcoming and kind.

Address : 19 Place Bernard, 01000 Bourg-en-Bresse, France

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ibis Bourg-en-Bresse

Awesome hotel close to the heart of the city.

It offers clean and functional room.

It offers superb restaurant with outstanding foods.

Staff all friendly and helpful.

Address : 6 Rue du Moulin de Brou, 01000 Bourg-en-Bresse, France

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RESTAURANT

Auberge Bressane is a unique blend of decoration, service and customers from each restaurant; the time allotted for food; accessibility; and other visitors' personalities and tastes. Going to this restaurant is like throwing yourself into a game, so it's generally a good idea to make sure that there is a role that interests you and suits you before you appear. Restaurant La Main Verte offers gourmet burgers that are revisited without bread, replaced with crispy and soft potato pancakes on the heart and the most important is "la criq." These "Criq'burgers" are decorated with beef, duck breast, salmon, AOC cheese, and "homemade" sauce.

Auberge Bressane

A top of the range restaurant with a reasonable price.

Fresh products, cooking and presentation neat and generous.

A price quite correct for the quality of products and service.

Chef very present in the room and particularly kind.

Address : 166 Boulevard de Brou, 01000 Bourg-en-Bresse, France

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Restaurant La Main Verte

An exceptional restaurant in which only fresh and French products are found.

The food is generous, fresh and delicious.

Really nice concept and homemade desserts at the top.

The staff extremely shopping, smiling super friendly.

Address : 14 Rue de la République, 01000 Bourg-en-Bresse, France

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CAFE

Ô Comptoir Bourg en Bresse is one of the best cafe to stop by in the downtown of Bourg. With elegant and cozy design, you can enjoy your morning coffee alongside the delicious snacks. It is also a good spot to have breakfast and lunch. millésime café located in the Plateau district in Bourg en Bresse, Millésime is a bistro where there is good food and fine wine. A step back in time in this unusual place makes good memories of the old times.

Ô Comptoir Bourg en Bresse

A warm, welcoming place where you eat very well for a more than reasonable price.

First of all the setting is very nice with a courtyard and a nice building.

Excellent original meal with fresh and quality products.

The service is always nice and efficient.

Address : 19 Avenue Alphonse Baudin, 01000 Bourg-en-Bresse, France

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millésime café

An authentic place in the plate and in the decor.

Delicious cuisine, fresh products and top service.

The wines are excellent there too.

Very good, original, and the boss is really very nice.

Address : 20 Avenue Alphonse Baudin, 01000 Bourg-en-Bresse, France

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BAR AND NIGHTLIFE

V and B Bourg-en-bresse is the perfect meeting place to share a good time. Whether for afterwork, concerts, Oktoberfest, St. Patrick's Day, sports broadcast. or just drinking with friends. All good opportunities to join the VandBistes community. La Buvette in Bourg-en-Bresse is located in the heart of the old town, behind the theater, the essential place to meet up with friends or family and share a friendly and gourmet moment.

V and B Bourg-en-Bresse

A bar and a shop with a very large choice of wines and spirits.

An original concept with original products.

This bar offers you the possibility to choose from a wide range of bottles.

Always friendly welcome, very nice atmosphere.

Address : 70 Avenue François Pignier, 01000 Bourg-en-Bresse, France

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La Buvette

One of the best pubs in town.

They serve brilliant wine choice and the deli platters are delicious.

The plates of cheeses and cold meats are delicious.

And the staff is very smiling.

Address : 7 Rue Guichenon, 01000 Bourg-en-Bresse, France

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INTERESTING PLACE

Demeure Hugon also known as Maison de Bois (Wooden House), Demeure Hugon is a beautiful collage house at 16 Rue Gambetta. Dating from 1496, this house is on a shopping street, with the ground floor taken by a high-street chain, but there is a small plaque near the entrance that shows the age of the building and its status as an official historical monument. At the Musée de Brou you can see portraits of the founder of the monastery, Margaret of Austria and his nephew, Emperor Charles V by Bernard van Orley who was Charles's favorite painter. There are also pottery, furniture, and religious statues up to the 17th century.

Mercure Demeure De Campagne Château de Fontainebleau

A really cool hotel to spend a night in the city.

The rooms are very clean and they do follow any special requests you send their way.

The dinner and breakfast at the restaurant are superb.

The atmosphere is nice and the service is great.

Address : 41 Rue Royale, 77300 Fontainebleau, France

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INSTAGRAMMABLE SPOT

Bourg-en-Bresse Cathedral was built with brilliant white stone in the 1500s, just as the Flamboyant Gothic style was replaced by the new Renaissance architecture. So there is a combination of the two is pleasing, because the apse and nave are both Gothic, while the western facade and the domed tower, completed later, are clear from the Renaissance. Royal Monastery of Brou is a French national monument, this amazing monument was ordered by one of the most influential women in European Renaissance as a burial place for dynasties. Margaret of Austria was the Duchess of Savoy and ruled the Dutch Habsburg twice in the first decade of the 16th century.