Hymn to love

The Brou church in Bourg en Bresse is one of the most admired sites in France. One can see there three princely graves, as well as  three cloister monastery on several levels, housing a museum with varied collections dating from the end of the 15^th century to the present day.

Strangely, this religious ensemble, preserved in an exceptional manner with its wooden sculptures, the choir stone and stained glass windows, which make it a high rate French-Flemish art museum of the beginning of the 15^th century, is a quasi-profane building. No mass has ever been celebrated there, but Marguerite of Austria built it with splendour in homage to her beloved husband, who died when he was twenty four years old.

The daughter of the Emperor Maximilien 1^st and granddaughter of Charles Le Téméraire, laid the foundation stone of the building on August 28^th 1506. A few months later she was named Regent of the Netherlands, allowing her to meet and give work to artists from Flanders and France, working to her requirements.

The Flemish grave and altarpiece statuary, the stalls and storied stained glass are also masterpieces. The nave is sober, but it is to better contrast with the wealth of the choir. The rood-screen (one of the rare remaining in France) possesses a blazing decoration which announces all the ornamental magnificence of the chancel around the graves.

In the middle of 1990s, a large-scale restoration was undertaken, with notably the restoration of the original roof with its two sloping sides covered with varnished and coloured tiles.

In 1530, Marguerite of Austria was buried beside her Lord. The two recumbent effigies represent them eternally young and beautiful.