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The Museum and Monastery of the Grande Chartreuse

A visit to the Museum and the Monastery of the Grand Chartreuse located in Isère, 30 km from Grenoble. Attention zone of silence...

The Grande Chartreuse monastery, founded in 1084 by seven men who wanted to escape the hustle and bustle of the world, cannot be visited. The monks, having taken a vow to devote their lives to meditation and contemplation, do not want to be disturbed. To satisfy the curiosity of the visitors a museum was created 2 km from the monastery. In fact there is no real disappointment for the tourist because the museum is located in old monastery buildings that are no longer in use, the visitor during the visit feels well the impression of isolation proper to the monastic life. It is also possible to go to the real monastery located a little further away but staying outside.

For those who want to see the monastery from the top of the mountain, the museum can be the starting point for hikes.

Practical Information (the museum is not open during the bad season).

Interest: very good (4 users)
Difficulty:
Duration: 2 h.
Practical information

Le parking

The parking lot is located right next to the museum, it is free. It can be the starting point for hiking tours.
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The Chartreuse massif

Very beautiful panorama on the surrounding mountains which incites to meditation.
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The Grande Chartreuse Museum

The museum used to be a dependency of the Grande Chartreuse, and for a long time it served as an infirmary for the elderly monks.
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The entrance to the museum.

The architecture is similar to that of the monastery. The entrance fee is €10.
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The paintings

The museum presents all the Carthusian monasteries around the world. It is remarkably well maintained.
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A cell

Monks spend most of their time meditating in their cells, where they have everything they need. He has taken a vow of silence and goes out only to attend religious services and contribute to the monastery's tasks. All the equipment and supplies essential to his daily life are provided by the monastic community.
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Reconstruction of the monastery chapel

It is in this type of chapel that the Carthusian monks meet daily for prayer and religious services, following a strict, contemplative ritual that sets the pace for their monastic life.
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The road to the monastery

It is possible to see the real monastery, it is located 2 km further up. There is nothing difficult, it is a tarred road forbidden to cars. The sign indicates that you are entering a silent zone.
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The road

Towards the monastery the slope is steeper
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The entrance to the Grande Chartreuse monastery

The monastery is entirely closed, it is not visited so as not to disturb the monks. In 2015 there were only 27 Carthusian monks left, including 12 brothers. The monastery seems immense yet it was designed in the 18th century to accommodate only 80 brothers.
2

View of the monastery

The monks no longer make their famous liquor in the monastery, they simply prepare the mixture of herbs that will be associated with the alcohol and which is kept secret.
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Other walks

At 22.52 Km

The lake of Paladru

At 38.51 Km

Lake Bourget in Aix-les-Bains

At 44.23 Km

Hautecombe Abbey in Savoy

At 56.2 Km

Under Le Pas de la Ville in Gresse-en-Vercors
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