157 arcades along a medieval main street give Louhans a clear architectural theme. Alongside them are printing history, historic collections and walking paths beside rivers. This gives you several focuses for planning: you can explore architecture and culture, or set aside time for walks and observing the flora and fauna of the Bresse. There is also a walking route with a stated distance and duration, as well as a cycling connection at the Musée de l’Imprimerie.
Arcaded street and tower
The medieval main street of Louhans has 157 arcades and is one of the longest arcaded streets in France. In addition to this number, the street is shaped by the different styles of its arcaded houses, half-timbered walls and courtyards. This means you can appreciate it not only for the length of its row of arcades: the variety of architectural features is also a distinctive focus.
The Tour Saint-Pierre offers a different perspective. The surviving watchtower has been converted into an exhibition space. In Louhans, therefore, a long street with varied arcaded houses and a single tower put to a new use stand side by side as different historical perspectives.
Printing and collections
The Musée de l’Imprimerie in Louhans-Châteaurenaud offers a tangible point of interest for anyone interested in printing. The Écomusée visitor programme for 2026 lists printing presses, lead type and printers’ tools to see. The objects give the museum visit a hands-on focus and differ distinctly from the architectural themes of the main street.
The furnishings of the hospital wards have been preserved at the HĂ´tel-Dieu. The pharmacy faience collection offers another perspective: it includes vessel styles ranging from the Hispano-Moorish model of the late 15th century to Nevers faience. Preserved furnishings in the hospital wards and a pharmacy collection spanning a broad range of styles are thus brought together. The tourism description calls the pharmacy ensemble unique in Europe.
Getting around on foot and by bike
The heritage trail in Louhans is an easy 1.5 km walk and takes about 45 minutes. This gives you a manageable way to include a clearly defined cultural route in your plans. As route information may be updated, check the tourism office’s details before your visit.
Green walking paths run, among other places, alongside rivers and offer opportunities to observe the flora and fauna of the Bresse. This gives you an alternative to the numbered heritage trail: nature watching by rivers instead of a walk with a designated heritage theme.
For cyclists, the location of the Musée de l’Imprimerie is also a useful landmark: it is in Louhans-Châteaurenaud, a few metres from the end of the Cycloroute71. The museum’s information about cycling access may be updated; check it before setting off.
Find hotels in Louhans
This lets you choose what to explore in Louhans based on the things that genuinely interest you on your trip.
Discover more destinations: Igé, Leynes, Anzy-Le-Duc, Tronchy, Le Breuil, Barizey, Montret, Uxeau.
For the broader travel overview: SaĂ´ne-Et-Loire.
