Volaille de Bresse

A PDO covering four categories of poultry — Poulet de Bresse, Poularde de Bresse, Chapon de Bresse, and Volaille de Bresse — all belonging to the white variety of the Bresse Gauloise breed, reared within a defined zone across the Ain, Saône-et-Loire, and Jura departments of France, and authenticated by a farmer's ring, slaughterman's mark, label, and, for poulards and capons, an identification seal.

About this designation

Registered as a PDO under file number PDO-FR-0145, with EU protection dating from 21 June 1996, the designation covers poultry of the Gallus genus belonging to the white variety of the Bresse Gauloise breed. All stages of production — selection, mating, hatching, rearing, slaughter, and preparation — must take place within the defined geographical area. The Poulet de Bresse must be aged at least 108 days and weigh a minimum of 1,3 kg after gutting. The Poularde de Bresse must be aged at least 140 days and weigh a minimum of 1,8 kg after gutting. The Chapon de Bresse, a castrated male, must be aged at least 224 days and weigh a minimum of 3 kg after gutting; it is marketed solely between 1 November and 31 January. Feed must consist principally of grains from the geographical area, with maize making up at least 40 % of the ration during the growth period; the protein content of the daily feed ration is 15 % maximum. A final fattening period in cages called épinettes is required. Rolling and bridling in a cloth of plant origin — linen, hemp, or cotton — is obligatory for the capon. Each bird carries a non-transferable farmer's ring, a slaughterman's mark bearing the word 'Bresse', a specific label featuring the EU PDO logo, and, for poulards and capons, an identification seal. The eAmbrosia identifier is EUGI00000012928.

Source: The register document this entry was written from · retrieved August 26, 2026

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PDO on 21 June 1996 under file number PDO-FR-0145; eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000012928.
• The Chapon de Bresse must be rolled and bridled in a cloth of plant origin and is marketed solely between 1 November and 31 January.
• Maize must constitute at least 40 % of the feed ration during the growth period, and the protein content of the daily ration may not exceed 15 %.
• Each bird carries a non-transferable farmer's ring, a slaughterman's mark, a label with the PDO logo, and — for poulards and capons — an identification seal.

Tasting notes

Bresse-Bressois (Ain-Saône-et-Loire-Jura) free-range poultry from Bresse-Gauloise breed, the only AOP poultry in France. Distinctive blue feet, white plumage, red comb (the "tricolore"). White-pink meat with golden fat marbling, intensely flavored with characteristic walnut-grass-corn-fed notes, firm meaty texture, low water-loss when cooking. **Chapon de Bresse** (capon, castrated male) is the Christmas-luxury variant — larger, fattier, more tender.

HoReCa use

Chapon de Bresse is associated with year-end festive service; chickens and poulards may be presented gutted, rolled and bridled, oven-ready, or, for chickens only, deep frozen.

Packaging

• whole-bird-fresh-1.5-2kg
• whole-bird-fresh-3-4kg
• eviscerated-vacuum-1.5-2kg
• gift-bird-Christmas-3-5kg
• leg-portion-300g
• breast-portion-200g