Grande Chartreuse
Monastère de la Grande Chartreuse
The mother house of the Carthusian Order, founded by Saint Bruno in 1084 and hidden deep in the Chartreuse Mountains. Visitors can tour the monastery museum and hike to viewpoints.
Monks still live a life of silent contemplation here, and the monastery interior is not open to the public. Visitors can tour the Grande Chartreuse Museum at the former Correrie site below, which recreates monks' individual cells and explains the history of the order. Then walk about 30 minutes along a forest trail to a viewpoint for a full view of the monastery. It is about 35 km from Grenoble, roughly 50 minutes by car. The surrounding Chartreuse Mountains are ideal for hiking and summer retreats.
Opening hours
Museum open about April–October; check the official website. The monastery itself is not open to visitors
Nearby sights
- Fort du Saint-Eynard
- Grenoble Saint-Laurent Archaeological Museum
- Fort de la Bastille
- Musée de Grenoble
- Musée Dauphinois
- Musée de l'Ancien Évêché & Grenoble Cathedral
- Palais du Parlement du Dauphiné & Place Saint-André
- Museum of the Resistance and Deportation of Isère