Bresse chicken, PDO cream and butter, gaudes and galette bressane: the Bresse is a region to savour as much as to explore. Here is what to taste and take home during your stay at the campsite.
Bresse poultry, famous worldwide
Protected by an appellation of origin since 1957, Bresse poultry is raised in the Ain, Saône-et-Loire and Jura départements. With white feathers and blue feet, the birds live outdoors, with at least 10 m² of grass each, and are fed on local cereals and dairy products. You can recognise a genuine Bresse bird by the ring on its left leg bearing the breeder’s name, the PDO label and the red, white and blue seal. Bresse chickens, poulardes, capons and turkeys are the pride of top restaurants.
Pont-de-Vaux holds a special place in this story: the very first Bresse poultry show was held here on 24 December 1865. Today, every December, the Glorieuses de Bresse bring together the finest birds in Bourg-en-Bresse, Louhans, Montrevel-en-Bresse and Pont-de-Vaux.
Cream, butter, gaudes and galette
Bresse cream and butter have also had an appellation of origin since 2012. This rich cream is the soul of local cooking, starting with the great classic, Bresse chicken in cream sauce. You will also find it in the galette bressane, a brioche-style dough topped with cream and sugar and served warm. In the region’s good restaurants, look out too for frogs’ legs with parsley and Bresse butter, or a plate of small fried fish.
Another speciality, gaudes are a toasted maize flour that Bresse farming families once cooked into a porridge with milk. Close to Pont-de-Vaux, the Moulin Giraud in Ozan produces and sells it.
Where to buy and taste near the campsite
Pont-de-Vaux market is the perfect place to stock up on local produce. To find a breeder, shop or restaurant serving Bresse poultry, use the interactive map on the official appellation website. The Pont-de-Vaux tourist office also lists local producers: farmhouse goat’s cheese, soft fruit, flours and oils, craft beers and more. Everything you need for a 100% local picnic!