LOUHANS

louhans, a town of east-central france in the old province of franche-comte, now capital of an arrondissement in the department of saone-et-loire, 34 m. n.n.e. of macon by road. pop. (1906), 3216. its church has a fine tower of the 15th century, of which the balustrade is carved so as to form the first words of the ave maria. there are also a hospital of the 17th century with a collection of ancient earthenware, a town-hall of the 18th century and remains of ramparts of the 16th and 17th century. the town is the central market of the agricultural plain of bresse; chickens form the chief article of commerce. there is also a large felt-hat manufactory.