Royal Monastery of Brou

The Royal Monastery of Brou (abbaye royale de Brou) is a remarkable example of the late-Gothic style of architecture in France. It is located in the town of Bourg-en-Bresse, in the Ain region of France. Founded in 1506 by Margaret of Austria, the monastery was designed by the renowned French architectPhilibert de L'Orme. The façade of the religious center is decorated with a large number of sculptures and carvings, portraying religious figures, figures from Greek and Latin mythologies, and exotic animals. Inside, the monastery is decorated with a number of Baroque and Renaissance paintings and sculptures, including a wooden altarpiece from the 16th century and an extraordinary collection of 16th century tapestries. The monastery complex also includes several outbuildings, including a museum dedicated to the history of the abbey and religious art.