What a building site!

Photo des outils des bâtisseurs présentés dans l'espace de découverte Quel Chantier

The discovery area "What a building site!" is a playful immersion in the heart of the work of the Royal Monastery of Brou, from its construction to the latest restorations.

HERE, YOU CAN TOUCH !

Thanks to samples, you will see up close the building materials of the monument, and you can even touch them!

Handle the glazed tiles of the roof You can try out the monks' seats, slide your arms inside the hollowed-out sculptures, discover the keystones of the vaults up close... You will even be able to take in hand the tools used in the construction of the monastery.

The assembly of a vault, the assembly of a framework or the setting in lead of stained glasses will not have any more secrets for you!

Photo de l'espace de découverte Quel chantier ! aménagé en 2017 dans l’ancienne procure du monastère — Espace de découverte Quel chantier ! aménagé en 2017 dans l’ancienne procure du monastère
© Marine Bontemps

FROM BUILDERS TO RESTORERS

Through the workshops of artists and craftsmen, explore the trades essential to the realization of the monument: master builder, mason, stone cutter, sculptor, carpenter, roofer, glass painter...

From yesterday to today, discover the stages of the monument's construction and its restoration campaigns.

Led by the chief architects of the Monuments Historiques, and under the supervision of the State, the Centre des Monuments Nationaux and the City of Bourg-en-Bresse, workers and companies have been working for over 150 years to preserve and restore the monument.

You will see that the techniques which allowed theconstruction of the royal monastery of Brou and so many other monuments, are still very much alive !

Maquette du chantier de construction du monastère royal de Brou, présenté dans l’espace de découverte Quel chantier !
© Laurence Danière

THE GREAT RESTORATIONS OF THE MONUMENT

It is from the ^XIXth century that many restoration campaigns take place in Brou.

The church is restored between 1842 and 1851 by Louis Dupasquier and then at the end of the ^19th century by Charles Laisné.

Between 1930 and 1950, the cloisters were restored to their original appearance. All the modifications made in the ^19th century by the diocesan seminary were erased.

Between 1995 and 1998, the roof of the nave was completely renovated and the tiles were varnished again.

Since 2018, the tombs have been restored to their former glory, revealing the splendor of the marble, alabaster and black stone.

Illustration de la construction du monastère royal de Brou commandité par Marguerite d’Autriche — Illustration de la construction du monastère royal de Brou, commandité par Marguerite d’Autriche
© Arnaud Crémet

Did you know?

Since 2017 The "What a work in progress!" space is located in the procure, the monastery's former storehouse

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