Royal Monastery of Brou

The Royal Monastery of Brou is a religious complex situated in Bourg-en-Bresse, in the Ain department of central France. This historical site was built in the early 16th century by Margaret of Austria, daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I and Governor of the Habsburg Netherlands. The monastery was designed as a dynastic burial place, following the tradition of the Burgundian Champmol and Cîteaux Abbey, and the French Saint-Denis.

Architectural Style of the Church

The church, known as the Église Saint-Nicolas-de-Tolentin de Brou in French, was constructed between 1506 and 1532. It showcases a lavishly elaborate Flamboyant Gothic style, with some elements of the classicizing Renaissance. The tall roof is covered in coloured, glazed tiles, adding to the overall aesthetic appeal of the structure.

Royal Tombs within the Church

The church houses the tombs of Margaret of Austria, her second husband Philibert II, Duke of Savoy, and his mother, Margaret of Bourbon. These tombs were created by Conrad Meit and have managed to avoid the destruction that most royal tombs in France have suffered. The tombs are a significant part of the monastery's history and are a must-see for visitors.