BOURG-EN-BRESSE

town, capital of Ain dpartement, Rhne-Alpes rgion, eastern France. It lies on the Reyssouze River, west of Geneva, Switz. It is the main centre for the Bresse-Dombes lowlands, west of the Jura. Its market dates from the 11th century. A franchise charter was granted in 1250, and in the early 15th century it was made the chief city of Bresse by the dukes of Savoy. Bourg-en-Bresse passed to France in 1601. The Brou Church is a Late Gothic masterpiece raised by Margaret of Austria in memory of her husband, Philip IV the Fair of Savoy, in fulfillment of a vow made by his mother, Margaret of Bourbon. Notre-Dame Church is mainly 16th century (nave, choir, stalls). The Ain Museum is housed in the former Brou Priory. The economy depends on light manufacturing, farm trade (especially chickens), and tourism. Pop. (1982) 37,582; (1990) 42,955.