Royal monastery of Brou, Gothic monastery in Bourg-en-Bresse, France.
The Royal Monastery of Brou is a Gothic building in Bourg-en-Bresse with a distinctive roof of colored glazed tiles arranged in a diamond pattern and detailed stone carvings across its white facade. Inside, the building holds religious artworks including statues dating from the 13th to 17th centuries on the ground floor and paintings from the 16th to 20th centuries displayed in the upper areas.
The monastery was commissioned between 1506 and 1532 by Margaret of Austria, who had it built as a burial place for herself, her husband Philibert II, and his mother Margaret of Bourbon. Following the French Revolution, the building was taken out of religious use and lost its original function as a tomb, yet survived the changes that came with the era.
The monastery served as a place of worship and devotion for centuries, and today draws visitors interested in religious art and the craftsmanship of medieval artists. The artworks visible throughout show the faith and skill that come alive as you walk through the church and galleries.
The monastery can be visited daily and is easily accessible from the town center. Visitors should allow enough time to thoroughly explore the artworks and interior spaces.
Three elaborate tombs crafted by artist Conrad Meit remain intact within the church, a rare survival of royal burial monuments in France. These monuments quietly tell the story of the place's past through the skill of Renaissance stonework.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region offers a mix of nature and history. Walking paths lead through valleys and past waterfalls, while medieval castles stand on hilltops and ridges. Volcanic peaks rise from the landscape, and caves open into the earth below. You will find the Massif Central, alpine...
Saint-Nicolas-de-Tolentin church
5 m
Musée municipal de Bourg-en-Bresse
71 m
Hôtel-Dieu de Bourg-en-Bresse
412 m
Apothicairerie de l'hôtel-Dieu de Bourg-en-Bresse
444 m
Philibert and Margaret
80 m
Analemmatic sundial of Brou
66 m
Porte des Jacobins
949 m
Salle des Sports
733 m
Maison, 7 rue Jules-Migonney
960 m
Musée de la mécanographie de Bourg-en-Bresse
588 m
Maison, 5 rue Jules-Migonney
956 m
De l'en-dessous
78 m
Immeuble, 10 rue Victor-Basch
1 km
Maison, 30 rue de la République
837 m
Untitled
71 m
Maison, 16 rue Maréchal-Foch
1 km
Immeuble, 26 rue Victor-Basch
986 m
Les Jardins de Brou
133 m
Tomb of Margaret of Austria
0 m
Chapelle du Lycée Lalande de Bourg-en-Bresse
947 m
Site des archives départementales de l'Ain
848 m
Passage des Cordeliers
1 km
Chapelle de l'Hôtel-Dieu de Bourg-en-Bresse
411 m
Fontaine des Quatre Chemins
980 m
Couvent Saint-Joseph de Bourg-en-Bresse
919 m
La Tannerie
830 m
Chapelle du Couvent Saint-Joseph de Bourg-en-Bresse
932 m
Croix monumentale du monastère royal de Brou
54 mReal people, real opinions — but not verified.
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes