BRESSE, natural region, eastern France, embracing portions of the departments of Ain, Saone-et-Loire and Jura, extending 6om. from the Dombes on the south to the river Doubs on the north, and 20m. from the Saone east to the Jura. Varying from 600 to Hoof t. above sea-level, it slopes slightly west. Heaths and coppice alternate with pastures and arable land ; pools and marshes are numerous, especially in the north. Its chief rivers are the Veyle, the Reyssouze and the Seille, tributaries of the Saone. The soil is gravelly clay, moderately fertile, and cattle-raising is carried on. The region is especially celebrated for its table poul try. The district belonged in the middle ages to the lords of Bage, from whom it passed in '272 to the house of Savoy. The province, as such, with Bourg as its capital, was founded in the 15th century. In 16oi it was ceded to France by the Treaty of Lyons, and formed (with the province of Bugey) first a separate govern ment and afterwards part of the government of Burgundy.