Louhans- Chateaurenaud is a village of Saône et Loire department, in Burgundy region. It is located near the river Seille, one of the most beautiful navigable river of France. The Bresse louhannaise area preserved its countryside culture with a patois still largely spoken and a gastronomy made of local and traditional products. In 1973, Louhans joined its neighbour Chateaurenaud to form Louhans-Chateaurenaud.
Access
By train, Louhans can be reached within 2h20 from Paris Gare de Lyon (via Dijon).
By car, from Paris, take the A6 motorway towards Orly/ Lyon, exit 26 towards Chalon, to Louhans.
The closest airport is in Geneva.
Activities
Louhans is famous for its 400m long Grande Rue with 157 arcades, its 15th century fronts of houses, its Eglise Saint Pierre with polychrome slated roof, its Saint Pierre and Saint Paul towers, its ancient streets and internal courtyards. L’Hotel Dieu is one of the most beautiful monuments of the city: this 17th century hospital consists of two large rooms, a chapel and a superb apothecary with collections of 17th and 15th earthenware.
The printing press room of the local newspaper l’Independant is the only printing press room with preserved lead based printing machines in the whole of France.
The market for Bresse poultry takes place every Monday morning. It has been listed as “Site Remarquable du Gout”.
Other activities are fishing in Seille and Solnan rivers, hiking, cycle touring, or tennis.
Food and Drink
Bresse specialities are found in Louhans such as Bresse poultry, calf’s head, frogs…
Charolles beef, an AOC meat (a label that testifies of its origin and quality) is a major local product in Bourgogne. At first (and until the 18th century), Charolais beef was only bred for local consumption. However, during the 1867 Universal Exposition, Charolais was awarded as best meat and was then to be exported across the whole country.
In Louhans region, snails are cooked “a la Bourguignonne” which means with butter, garlic, shallots and parsley.
Finally, Bourgogne produces 33 high quality wines. Chablis, Grand Auxerrois, Côtes de Beaune, or Maconnais vineyards are some examples. Bourgogne grape varieties are Pinot Noir for red wines and Chardonnay for white wines.
Restaurants
- L’ARLEQUIN, traditional cuisine. 5 place de la Liberation, 71500, Louhans. Tel : 03.85.75.00.25
- MOULIN DE BOURGCHATEAU, Burgundy cuisine. Rue Guidon, 71500, Louhans. Tel : 03.85.75.37.12
In the event that you fall in love with the region and intend to buy a property there, Sextant properties have bi-lingual agents in the area who known the available properties. They will be able to accompany you on visits, answer your queries and generally make finding and choosing your ideal property a pleasure – all of which will speed the day you walk into your new home in Louhans.