More than a dozen hamlets are scattered across Toutenant’s bocage landscape in the Bresse; the commune also has a Neo-Romanesque church, a historic salt road and two farms that offer visits. The area thus combines settlement and architectural history with visits to local producers. When planning your trip, it is worth keeping these topics separate: visits to the farms must be arranged in advance.
Church and architectural history
The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin stands in the cemetery at the southern end of the village of Toutenant. In 1869, it was replaced by a new Neo-Romanesque building, constructed according to the architect Narjoux’s plans and estimates dated 1867. The large building was designed to accommodate more than 350 worshippers. The planning year and the year of construction provide a clear timeline for the church’s history.
The town hall and boys’ school building is also part of the area’s history: it was built in 1888. This is 19 years after the construction of the new church in 1869. The two buildings served different purposes—religious and municipal and educational—and together offer two perspectives on Toutenant’s architectural history.
Bresse bocage and the historic salt road
The very dispersed settlement pattern, with more than a dozen hamlets, is a defining feature of the commune. Most of the remote settlements and hamlets were established in the Middle Ages. The settlement architecture is also considered characteristic of the Bresse. The landscape, building styles and settlement history thus reflect different aspects of Toutenant’s regional character.
Another historic connection is the salt road La Vie Gravée. It crosses the territory of Toutenant and follows the boundary between Sermesse and Toutenant. Historically, the route linked the Verdunois with the saltworks of the Jura. Its local course and its connection beyond the commune are two distinct aspects: the boundary describes the route near Toutenant, while the link to the saltworks reflects the broader historical context.
Visits to local producers
At Ferme du Mezaneau, visits to the goat farm and free cheese tastings for groups are available year-round by prior reservation. The offer combines a farm visit with a tasting, but is subject to advance booking and is intended for groups. Ferme du Mézaneau also has a cheese dairy and a reception area for motorhomes. The milk produced by the farm’s dairy cows is processed directly in the cheese dairy next to the farm. Before arriving, check the visitor arrangements and current availability.
The Élevage de volailles de Bresse Girardeau poultry farm offers visits by appointment. Visitors can learn about how Bresse chickens are raised. Check availability and appointment arrangements in advance.
The two farm visits differ both in subject and in their terms: Ferme du Mezaneau focuses on goat farming and cheese tastings for groups, while Girardeau offers an insight into Bresse chicken farming. Visits to Ferme du Mezaneau are available year-round by reservation, while visits to Girardeau must be arranged by appointment.
Discover more destinations: Gueugnon, Saillenard, Frangy-en-Bresse, Lugny, Beaumont-sur-Grosne, Damerey, Saint-Martin-D'auxy, CĂ©ron.
For the broader travel overview: SaĂ´ne-Et-Loire.
