Bresse

Bresse is a historic and geographic region in eastern France. It centers on the Bresse plain and extends across parts of the Ain and Saône-et-Loire departments, with a smaller portion in Jura. Its principal town is Bourg-en-Bresse, and the area is bounded by the Saône valley to the west and the Jura mountains to the east. The Bresse plain is highly agricultural and has shaped the region’s economy and identity.

Agriculture dominates the landscape, with cereal farming, dairy production, and a long tradition of poultry farming. The Poulet de Bresse, a free-range chicken raised under strict controls, is the region’s most famous product and holds a protected designation of origin (AOC). The birds are typically raised in characteristic conditions, fed a specified diet, and known for their white plumage, blue legs, and red comb, making them one of France's best-known gastronomic symbols.

Cultural and historic landmarks include the Monastère royal de Brou in Bourg-en-Bresse, a major Renaissance-era monastery, and traditional markets in towns such as Louhans. The region also preserves rural architecture, castles, and farmsteads that reflect its agrarian heritage.

Today, Bresse is associated with culinary tradition, rural tourism, and agricultural production, continuing to influence French cuisine and regional identity.