Bourg-en-Bresse

Bourg-en-Bresse, the capital of Bresse, now the main city of the Département Ain, lies on the Western edge of the Jura Mountains about 60 km northeast of Lyon. It has some nicely restored half-timbered houses and is best known for its poulet de Bresse (free range chickens raised in the flat agricultural region of Bresse), but especially for its abbey church in the subburb of Brou. The Église de Brou has become one of the most visited sites in France and is known for its flamboyant gothic style, its finely carved marble tombs and the beautifully carved choir stalls. The church (1505-1536) was commissioned by Margaret of Austria (1530), daughter of the Emperor Maximilian and wife of Philibert II, Duke of Savoy, after her husband's death (1504). The couple's finely sculpted tombs can be seen in the choir, along with the tomb of Margaret of Bourbon, Philibert's mother, who died in 1483.

collage of Eglise de Brou

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Content copyright ©1996 Centralia College.
Questions and comments to Vic Freund
Centralia College, Centralia, WA, 98531-4099. (360) 736-9391.

Last modified on: Friday, October 13, 2000