The old quarters of Bourg-en-Bresse

In Gallo-Roman times, "Burgus" became "Bourg", and distinguished itself as a defensive outpost of the capital of the Three Gauls, Lugdunum (Lyon). But it was above all in the Middle Ages that the town took advantage of its geographical position and developed a sustained commercial and craft activity. Even today, you can still admire some thirty houses belonging to wealthy merchants or craftsmen of the period, the oldest of which dates back to the 14th century. The end of the Middle Ages saw the construction of the co-cathedral of Notre-Dame, today the "grande dame" of the town center. A legend dating back to the 13th century tells of the Black Madonna. Later, wealthy aristocrats embellished the town with beautiful mansions, including the Hôtel de Meillonnas, now transformed into a contemporary art center (H2M). As the industrial revolution took hold, Bourg-en-Bresse became a modern city, with its grand avenue Alsace Lorraine and Haussmann-style buildings linking the railway station to the city center. Today, the city continues to move forward, giving pride of place to environmentally-friendly means of transport.