Two weekly markets, a historic walking tour and trails with different focuses give visitors several ways to experience Montrevel-En-Bresse. The Parcours historique takes you through the town centre, while Le Tour du grand lac is a circular route starting in Montrevel. There is also Bresse heritage, seasonal culinary walks and activities on the water. Which of these themes shapes your stay also depends on when you travel.
Local history and trails of different lengths
The Parcours historique in Montrevel-En-Bresse is a free self-guided walk through the town centre. A paper map and explanatory panels accompany the ten numbered stops. This gives you an independent way to explore the town’s historic character rather than visiting just one attraction.
A longer walking option is Le Tour du grand lac: this easy 6.5-kilometre walk is a circular route that starts in Montrevel-En-Bresse. By comparison, the educational trail on the grounds of Sougey is 550 metres long. The two routes therefore differ considerably in length and focus: one is a circular trail, while the other has stops covering the landscape, built heritage and Bresse poultry.
Ferme du Sougey and Bresse heritage
Ferme du Sougey is one of the oldest surviving farms in Bresse and is classified as a French historic monument. Its grounds are home to the Les plumes dans le bocage discovery trail. This 550-metre educational trail has nine stops covering the bocage landscape, built heritage and Bresse poultry. Its themes therefore go beyond architectural history to include both the landscape and a regional poultry tradition.
Les Amis du Sougey organise guided tours and events on the grounds. AloĂŻs Gury also offers visits to his Bresse poultry farm there. In summer, culinary walks introduce visitors to the architecture and history of Ferme du Sougey on Thursdays from 2 to 6 p.m. As this is a seasonal offering, check current dates before travelling.
Grand Lake: circular trail, water activities and nature
Grand Lake covers 90 hectares and has a 500-metre developed beach. The lake offers fishing and water sports, including canoeing, pedal boating, electric boating and catamaran sailing. The seasonal availability of these activities may vary, so check the dates if you plan to take part in any of them.
The natural environment adds another distinct feature: the section of Grand Lake that includes ĂŽle aux oiseaux is part of a ZNIEFF. Protected bird species breed there in spring. This seasonal aspect is a concrete difference from the recreational activities on the water when choosing when to travel.
Weekly markets and Glorieuses de Bresse
Two weekly markets are held in Montrevel-En-Bresse every Tuesday and Saturday morning. If visiting a market is part of your plans, you can set aside one of these mornings. As market times may change, it is advisable to check the current schedule before travelling.
The Glorieuses de Bresse also take place in Montrevel-En-Bresse every year. Around 30 breeders present nearly 800 poultry birds. Bresse poulards and Bresse capons with A.O.P. status are sold, and the poultry is presented in a typically Bressan rolled style. The event thus brings together the poultry tradition with a specific occasion for sales and presentation. Check the annual event dates if you plan your trip around it.
Discover more destinations: Divonne-Les-Bains, Arbigny, Cormaranche-En-Bugey, Lompnieu, Saint-Bernard, Ambérieux-en-Dombes, Lhuis, Monthieux.
For the broader travel overview: Ain.
