Les quartiers anciens de Bourg-en-Bresse

During the Gallo-Roman period, "Burgus" became "Bourg", and became a defensive outpost of the capital of the Three Gauls, Lugdunum (Lyon). However, it was mainly in the Middle Ages that the town took advantage of its geographical position and developed a sustained commercial and craft activity. Today, we can still admire about thirty houses of rich merchants or craftsmen of the time, the oldest of which dates from the 14th century. The end of the Middle Ages was marked by the construction of the Notre-Dame co-cathedral, today the "grande dame" of the city centre. It houses a Black Madonna from a legend dating back to the 13th century. Later, wealthy aristocrats embellished the city with beautiful private mansions, including the Hôtel de Meillonnas, which has been transformed into a contemporary art centre (H2M). Taking the turn of the industrial revolution, Bourg-en-Bresse modernised itself, as witnessed by its grand avenue Alsace Lorraine and its Haussmann buildings, linking the railway station to the city centre. Today, the city continues to move forward, notably by giving pride of place to soft means of transport.