Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Saône-et-Loire
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Nestling in the heart of Burgundian Bresse, the city of Louhans is renowned for its famous poultry market, which takes place every Monday morning. An event not to be missed under any circumstances! Besides its authentic traditional market, Louhans can also be proud of having the longest arcaded street in France. Extremely picturesque, the Grande-Rue street is lined with 157 arches! A visit of the historic centre also takes in the Saint-Pierre church, covered with a roof of glazed tiles; the Bailli house, building dating from the end of the 16th century; and the apothecary shop of the Hôtel Dieu hospital with its splendid old Italian-Spanish Moorish vases.
Additional information
Louhans
City Louhans is located southeast of the department of Saone-et-Loire in Bresse, 28 km from Lons le Saunier, 39 km from Chalon-sur-Saone, 85 km from Dijon, 135 km from Lyon and 162 km from Geneva. It enjoys proximity to major road (with the A39 motorway), a railway and a major departmental network.
Capital of Burgundy Bresse, Louhans is an ancient walled city also named "City of Arches". Indeed, Louhans has preserved the Spanish occupation of 157 arches that line on more than 400 meters from the Grande Rue. Arcades and facades of the 15th century constitute a unique architectural ensemble in France. Over 100 shops to form a dynamic and welcoming artery ...
Every Monday morning, the highly reputed Louhans stands up under the arches and the Post Office. And if you're lucky enough to be there the first and third Mondays of the month, you can discover the cattle.
This economic activity from the 13th century heyday of the great fairs of the Middle Ages. "The poultry market" typical and picturesque, is ranked among the "100 Sites remarkable French Taste" by the National Council of Culinary Arts.
Whoever comes to Louhans should definitely sample the delights that we offer culinary specialties. Bresse chicken (holder of an AOC), corniotte (pastry), weld, tart "shions" (pie semolina and cottage cheese) will delight your taste buds!
Things to see and do
Must sites to explore:
High Street and its 157 arcades unique architectural ensemble in the world, a historical monument.
The Hotel-Dieu and its apothecary: for the reception of indigent patients, it was built from the 17th to the 18th century. Sick room, chapel, dining rooms, kitchen ... The highlight of the visit is the apothecary with a rare collection of vases Italian and Hispano-Moorish 16th century.
Amazing building two churches together, topped with polychrome glazed tiles: The Saint Peter's Church.
The tower of Saint-Pierre: fully restored, the last remnant (1570) of the old city walls, it now offers exhibitions of paintings, sculptures and photographs, in summer.
The municipal museum made from donations and Louhannais Bressans and enriched deposits of state and acquisitions of recent works.
The Printing Museum: unique in France with its rotating flat Bühler.
You can also walk along the Pail, making boating, fishing, going to the swimming pool or play tennis.
First, weekly event must louhannais of life: the market! This takes place every Monday morning along the main street and the square of Charity. His famous poultry market, whose authenticity is still intact, is classified site remarkable taste. Do not miss!
Throughout the year various events are held.
The lights and the music festival activities celebrating louhannaises associations who actively participate.
Arcades The association organizes the festival in celebration of Bresse chicken on the last Friday of July in the arcades. On this occasion, a meal, concerts and cultural events are offered along the main street.
Each year a contest of Bresse chicken, Yankee Doodle, is held in the hall of Grenette early December, and reward the best breeders.
Finally the city has Chateaurenaud Louhans-cultural programming year: theater, dance, music, street art, exhibitions ...: there's something for everyone!
Fête de la Corniotte
From 28 may to 1 june 2025
Centre-ville, Centre-villle
Corniotte festival. Activities, tastings, Corniotte d'Or competition… - Find all the partners : bakeries, patisseries, restaurants and tourist sites in the programme.
Les Puces du Rugby
On 29 may 2025
Place du Champ de Foire, Promenade de la Charité
The Rugby Flea Market organised by the Rugby Club du Louhannais. - [Flea markets in Saône et Loire, Burgundy and neighbouring regions]
Farmer Fest
From 30 to 31 may 2025
Place de la charité
Farmer fest Louhans. - It's off to the 6th FarmerFest ! - 2 days - 8 bands - 1 stage - 0 excuses ! - and it's still 100% free ! - So get your docs, your bandana and your pogo stick ready, because we've got a wild programme planned for you : - Friday : - Arthur de Saint Claude, 7 Weeks, Cutting Corners, The Bliss - Saturday : Spacetracker - Spacetracker, Lysistrta, Dye Crap, Blue Orchid - Follow us on Facebook for future surprises… and bring your barnyard !
Soirée Musicale
On 14 june 2025
18 Rue de Bram, La Toque Blanche
Italian cuisine. Musical evening with Anthracite Jazz Band. Limited seating.
Les Concerts de l'Hôtel-Dieu de Louhans
On 15 june 2025
3 rue Capitaine Vic, Hôtel-Dieu
The Almaviva Cello Quartet was born of the friendship of four tenured cellists from the Stuttgart Opera, including its two French co-soloists, and was formed in 2023 during an evening concert at the Kunstverein Museum in Stuttgart. Such was the warm response from the audience that the idea of performing more regularly and exploring new repertoires took on a life of its own. - Driven by the desire to promote their instrumental virtuosity, the opera repertoire they know inside out, and their eclecticism in crossover arrangements or film music, for which they are passionate, The members of the Almaviva Cello Quartet have been invited to perform at a growing number of prestigious venues in Germany and France, including the Stuttgart Museum Night, the Stuttgart Opera Chamber Music Season, the Ludwigsburg Festivals and the French Institute in Mainz.
Bresse Chicken Festival. Entertainment in the afternoon and dinner and dance from 7pm under the arcades with a Bresse chicken menu organised by the Louhans Rugby Club. Menu and programme to follow.
En Famille au Musée : Le Canard du Journal
On 4 august 2025
29, rue des Dôdanes, Musée de l'imprimerie
Come and explore the museum in a totally offbeat way by delving into the animal vocabulary of the world of printing, typography and the press ! From ducks and dogs to bears and salmon, each term has its own story and its own secret. Prepare to be surprised by the curiosities behind these unexpected names ! It's a fun-filled outing that will reveal the most amusing and surprising aspects of the language of printing ! Ages 6 and up.
En Famille au Musée : Aux Origines de l'Écriture
On 11 august 2025
29 rue des Dôdanes, Musée de l'imprimerie
New for 2025 : Writing is the great adventure that took our civilisation from prehistory to history ! This workshop will take you back in time to discover the beginnings of writing. Armed with wax tablets, slates and nibs, young and old alike will be introduced to writing techniques just like our ancestors. Afterwards, you'll discover the incredible world of printing with 20th-century presses, where you can see how words come to life on paper ! Ages 6 and up.
The Circuit de Bresse complex located in the municipality of Frontenaud (12 km from Louhans), dedicated to motor sports. It offers three tracks: a speedway approved 3000 m car-bike, a security track and go-karting. In Milleure area, just off junction 9 of the A39.
Centre Eden located Cuisery (23 km from Louhans), this space has the natural biodiversity of the region.
Farm animals small wood located Sagy (8 km Louhans), this farm offers a discovery of the lives of many animals.
The Bicycle Museum: located in Saint-Usuge (7 km Louhans), this museum offers a retrospective of the cycling world.
The Museum of the chair: located Rancy (12 km from Louhans).
