June, 2015 – Megan Miln

Bourg-en-Bresse Sightseeing

We spent a pleasant weekend in Bourg-en-Bresse. The town is small enough to be easily walkable, and there was more to see than I expected. We started with the walking tour printed on the tourist office map, which took us past the numerous half-timbered houses, before visiting the busy Saturday market to pick up supplies for lunch.

Half-timbered houses
Half-timbered houses

The half-timbered houses come in different colours
The half-timbered houses come in different colours

Cafe tables fill the square with the church in the distance
Cafe tables fill the square with the church in the distance

Fountain with church spire in the distance
Fountain with church spire in the distance

Flowers adorn the windows of this old house
Flowers adorn the windows of this old house

So many half-timbered houses
So many half-timbered houses

Shady cafe tables
Shady cafe tables

Theatre roof
Theatre roof

The biggest surprise was the Monastery of Brou, a national monument which is a short distance from the town centre. The white church is roofed in brightly-coloured tiles; a striking sight against a blue sky. The monastery buildings are more modest, and conceal a little garden behind them. The monastery and church are no longer operational and have both been converted into a museum. Have a look at Graham’s video of our monastery visit.

Monastery of Brou
Monastery of Brou

Monastery garden
Monastery garden

The tiled roof shone in the sun
The tiled roof shone in the sun