Ferme du Sougey Montrevel-en-Bresse

30 minutes from Bourg-en-Bresse, an enclave of unspoilt nature typical of the Bresse bocage surrounds the oldest farm in the region. This witness to the past, guardian of farming traditions that are still very much alive, is a compendium of Bresse culture.

The oldest farmhouse in Bresse

According to dendrometric analysis of the main beam of the Saracen chimney, the farmhouse dates back to 1460, making it the oldest in Bresse still standing.

Remarkable for the authentic architecture of its magnificent farmhouse, it has been listed as a “Monument Historique” since 1946.

The house opens to the east. It is adorned with half-timbering and its hollow tile roof protects the sills from the rain. The central courtyard with its well and outbuildings (bakehouse, pigsty and henhouse) separates the house from the large farm buildings opposite.

When you arrive, you’re struck by the authenticity of the place.

One of the last Bresse farmhouses with a Saracen fireplace still visible and in good condition. Visiting it introduced me to Bresse culture and the life of its owner in the 20th century. There’s a nature trail in the park with lots of signposts.

Life goes on at the Sougey farm

History continues in other forms at the Sougey farm, now a festive and cultural venue.

For a lively visit, take one of the guided tours offered by the Amis du Sougey association. In summer, try a gourmet walk that combines a visit with a little pleasure. The crêpes are delicious!
The visit to the Sougey farm continues outside to discover the biodiversity (swallows, squirrels, bats, hoopoes, newts…) that hides in the hedgerows and hundred-year-old trees of the Bresse bocage. At each station on the interpretation trail, a sign helps you to understand and grasp the richness of this special place, between biodiversity, poultry farming and the history of the farm.
In October, you can enjoy old-fashioned evenings here, with music, storytelling and corn-stripping.

40hectares

of grasslands

6km

of hedgerows

550meters

Interpretation trail

4euros

Adult rate (free for children under 18)

GOOD TO KNOW

If the history of Sougey were told to me...

The farm had its 15 minutes of fame, thanks to its last owner, Maria Favier, the Sougey storyteller.

Born in 1911, Maria Favier became a well-known figure in Bresse, renowned for her immense talent as a storyteller. Her parents, wealthy farmers, bought the farm in 1922, which Maria and her brother inherited in 1945. She lived there alone, with her “valet” Pierre, from 1978.

A friend of Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, she attracted star chefs Blanc and Bocuse to her home, winning numerous poultry competitions with her geese. With its growing reputation, the Sougey farm is a must-see on any visit to Bresse. Local history comes alive in Maria’s words. The farm’s guestbook boasts unexpected signatures, from Brigitte Bardot to Jackie Kennedy, all of whom have been won over by Maria’s vivid memories of farm life and Bresse.

In 2000, the Sougey storyteller closed the final chapter of her story, on the farm, at the age of 88.

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Ferme du Sougey

Route du Sougey, Ferme du Sougey, 01340 Montrevel-en-Bresse