Built in the early 16th century by Margaret of Austria, Duchess of Savoy, to keep her love for her late husband Philibert the Fair alive, Brou Royal Monastery in the town of Bourg-en-Bresse is a masterpiece of flamboyant gothic art.
Topped by a roof of multicoloured varnished tiles, its church, a true prince's mausoleum, contains the tombs of Philibert II of Savoy, Margaret of Austria and Margaret of Bourbon in its chancel. A splendid group with finely sculpted details, produced by the best regional and Flemish artists of the time!
Near the chancel, the chapel of Margaret of Austria is just as remarkable, with its stained glass window of the Assumption and white marble altarpiece of the Seven Joys of the Virgin. This filigree-style feature is adorned with seven recesses representing respectively the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, the Adoration of the Magi, the Apparition of Christ to the Virgin, Pentecost and the Assumption.
You can also admire the old stained glass windows in the chancel made by master glassworkers from Lyon, as well as the wooden stalls and stone jube, two magnificently sculpted groups whose beauty leaves you feeling contemplative...
The tour of the site continues with a visit to the three cloisters of the monastery - the first cloister, the great cloister and the common cloister - and the municipal museum, based in the monastic buildings, where art collections are on display: Flemish and French paintings from the 15th to the 20th century, old religious sculptures, Renaissance and Bresse furniture, and also ceramics from Meillonnas.
Opening times | Monday: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM • Tuesday: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM • Wednesday: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM • Thursday: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM • Friday: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM • Saturday: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM • Sunday: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM |
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Address | 63 Boulevard de Brou, Bourg-en-Bresse |
Telephone | +33 4 74 22 83 83 |
Official site | www.monastere-de-brou.fr |