Cras-sur-Reyssouze was a small rural commune in eastern France. Administratively part of the broader regional context, it lay within the Ain department in the modern region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in France. On 1 January 2019 the commune was merged into the newly created commune of Bresse Vallons, as part of a territorial reorganisation that grouped small neighbouring communes for joint administration.

Geography and setting

Located on the level plain known as the Bresse, the locality sits near low-lying waterways typical of the area. The landscape is dominated by agricultural fields, meadows and hedgerows, with small streams and wetlands that support local biodiversity. The placename indicates association with the Reyssouze watercourse that crosses parts of the Bresse plain.

History and administration

Cras-sur-Reyssouze shared the historical development common to many rural settlements in the Bresse: an economy centred on mixed farming and small-scale local trades, a parish community, and gradual administrative changes over centuries. In recent decades the commune took part in intercommunal cooperation before its formal merger into Bresse Vallons on 1 January 2019, a move intended to pool services and simplify local governance.

Economy, land use and culture

The area is primarily agricultural. Traditional products associated with the Bresse region — notably poultry farming and dairy production — influence land use and local gastronomy. Village life has typically revolved around farming calendars, local markets and communal events tied to rural traditions and the parish church.

Places of interest and environment

Visitors and residents encounter characteristic Bresse architecture: farmhouses with timber features, manor houses, and small village churches. Rivers and marshy strips nearby are important for wildlife and form part of local conservation interests. The setting offers opportunities for walking, birdwatching and experiencing the rural Bresse landscape.

Practical notes and distinctions

Although no longer an independent commune, Cras-sur-Reyssouze remains a named locality within Bresse Vallons and retains its historical identity. For administrative matters it now falls under the institutions of the larger commune. Readers seeking official records, maps or demographic statistics should consult local departmental resources or the municipal services of Bresse Vallons for up-to-date information.