Margaret of Austria, a princess unlike any other | Bourg-en-Bresse destinations

Love stories don’t usually end well

Is it possible that Princess Margaret of Austria, founder of the Royal Monastery of Brou in Bourg-en-Bresse could have written the song by Les Rita Mitsouko if she had lived in the 20th century? Not really, because she was never particularly lucky in love.

The bold and the beautiful, but not as you would expect

Whatever you may think, the Royal Monastery of Brou is actually a tribute to love… Maybe more a story of passion in the style of Edith Piaf. Margaret of Austria designed this monument and had it built for the love of her life: Philibert the Handsome, Duke of Savoy. This is a timeless tribute that keeps the image of the young royal couple alive. This moving tale will always be significant for the town and its number one monument. If Philibert hadn’t accidentally died at the young age of 24, after a hunting trip, which incidentally was his greatest passion, the Brou district of Bourg-en-Bresse would look very different today. Maybe the modest parish church would still be standing.

It’s not easy being a princess

After being rejected by Charles VIII, future King of France, and then becoming a widow (John, Prince of Asturias), the young Margaret of Austria got married again at the age of 21, to someone she had met in the court of France as a child. He stirred up fond, emotional memories for her. She found him very handsome. The year was 1501, and they lived together in perfect bliss for three years. The town of Bourg-en-Bresse still remembers the grand entrance made by this couple, admired by many.

The greatest expression of love

But this great love story came to an end and Margaret decided at the age of 24 that she would never remarry. Philibert would be her one and only love. She continued to engrave the symbols of their love into stone. See if you can count the letters P and M beautifully intertwined to symbolise their love… She continued to add breath-taking beauty to the mausoleum. The splendours of the flamboyant gothic style. She continued to display her symbolic love story on the magnificent stained-glass windows. The modern-style tomb of Philibert glorifies the slender silhouette of her beloved and his status as a powerful knight.

The close proximity between the spouses, between the two tombs, creates a moving atmosphere of intimacy.