Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The ecomuseum of the Burgundy Bresse was founded in 1981 in the castle of Pierre-de-Bresse, a 17th century building built in 1680 by Count Claude de Thiard de Bissy. This castle, surrounded by a French park, was acquired in 1956 by the General Council of Saône-et-Loire after the death of its last private owner, André, Count of Estampes. The initiative to create this ecomuseum belongs to Pierre Joxe, then Minister and President of the Regional Council of Burgundy, with the aim of preserving the memory and know-how of the Burgundy Bresse.

The ecomuseum presents a rich collection of more than 30,000 objects, from donations from the local population and targeted acquisitions, illustrating daily life, traditional crafts (such as the mulching of chairs or the breeding of Bresse chickens), and typical architecture of the region. The permanent exhibitions cover various themes: natural environment, habitat, costumes, popular arts, and local history. The museum is based on a collection work carried out for more than 35 years, reinforced by purchases through the Regional Acquisition Fund for Museums, such as brassan furniture or historical printing machines.

The ecomuseum is the heart of a network of eight satellite sites distributed in Burgundy Bresse, each dedicated to a specific aspect of local heritage: winemakers, mills, forest, wheat and bread, or journalism. It also hosts places of memory and museums at home, such as oilworks, forges or tiles. These extensions make it possible to enhance artisanal know-how and traditions that are still alive, while offering an immersive journey in the history and culture of Bressan.

The castle of Pierre-de-Bresse, classified as a Historical Monument, now houses the ecomuseum and its temporary exhibitions. It is surrounded by a park and offers services such as a local specialty shop and a tea room. The institution, recognized as a public utility, plays a key role in the transmission of the material and intangible heritage of the Burgundy Bresse, in close connection with the inhabitants and collectors of the region.

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