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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The farm of Montjouvent, located in Saint-Étienne-sur-Reyssouze in the department of Ain, is a typical example of Bressane rural architecture. Dated from 1654, it is distinguished by its buckwheat fireplace, characteristic of the peasant buildings of the region, and its roof covered with canal tiles. The estate consists of five buildings organized around a central courtyard, where there is a well, illustrating the functional organization of the farms of the time.

The farm is isolated, near the crossing of departmental roads 1 and 26, suggesting an autonomous farm, far from the villages. His inscription in the title of historic monuments on 30 April 1925 specifically concerns the Saracen chimney and its mitre, highlighting their heritage value. This type of chimney, often associated with Bressan houses, served both as a heating and cooking system, reflecting traditional agricultural lifestyles.

The Bresse region, where Saint-Étienne-sur-Reyssouze is located, was historically marked by an agro-pastoral economy. Farms like Montjouvent played a central role in cereal production and livestock production, while serving as a place of life for peasant families. Their architecture, adapted to climate and local resources, bears witness to a vernacular know-how transmitted over centuries.

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