Brou, Priory Church: Overall view, west portal

The most notable feature of the exterior is the richly carved west portal. On the tympanum, set beneath a basket arch, are the kneeling figures of Margaret of Austria and Philibert with their patron saints; between them, in the centre, Christ is flanked by angels holding shields. St Nicholas of Tolentino (on whose feast day Philibert had died) is represented on the trumeau, with SS Peter and Paul on the embrasures and St Andrew at the apex of the arch above the portal. The rich decoration of foliage, flowers and fruit (laurel, vine, acanthus, palms and daisies) shows both Flamboyant and Renaissance inspiration, and the whole is strewn with the initials of Philibert and Margaret united by 'love knots', small cords festooned between two letters.\u000a\u000aFormer Benedictine priory church, dedicated to St Nicholas of Tolentino, near Bourg-en-Bresse, Burgundy, France. Situated on an important road linking the northern provinces with Italy, the church was built by Margaret of Austria, who secured the services of artists from the south Netherlands, Burgundy, Italy and France. It is notable for its surviving rood screen and richly carved choir-stalls (1530-1532), executed by Pierre Berchod (called Terrasson). Margaret, her third husband Philibert II, Duke of Savoy, and his mother, Margaret of Bourbon, are all buried in tombs (sculpted by Conrat Meit) within the church.