Bourg-en-Bresse

France

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Bourg-en-Bresse, town, capital of Ain département, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes région, eastern France. It lies on the Reyssouze River, west of Geneva, Switzerland. It is the main centre for the Bresse-Dombes lowlands, west of the Jura.

Its market dates from the 11th century. A franchise charter was granted in 1250, and in the early 15th century it was made the chief city of Bresse by the dukes of Savoy. Bourg-en-Bresse passed to France in 1601. The Brou Church is a Late Gothic masterpiece raised by Margaret of Austria in memory of her husband, Philip IV (the Fair) of Savoy, in fulfillment of a vow made by his mother, Margaret of Bourbon. Notre-Dame Church was built mainly in the 16th century (nave, choir, stalls). The Ain Museum is housed in the former Brou Priory.

Bourg’s location amid an agricultural region is reflected in its food-processing industries and the importance of its cattle market. Metalworking and manufacturing also contribute to the economy. The town is the département’s administrative and commercial centre, and it has a branch of the University of Lyon. Pop. (1999) 40,666; (2014 est.) 40,967.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Michael Ray.