Chartreuse de la Valsainte

Founded in 1084 in the Chartreuse massif, near Grenoble, the Cartusian order expanded at the beginning of the second millennium. The Charterhouse of La Valsainte was founded in 1294, following a donation from Girard I de Corbières. Until the 16th century, only the church was built in stone. The conventual buildings and cells were made of wood. Tragic and fatal fires punctuated its history in 1381, 1601 and 1732.

The Charterhouse was closed in 1778 and the monks moved to La Part-Dieu (Bulle). Authorised by the State of Fribourg to purchase La Valsainte in 1861, the Carthusian monks completely rebuilt their monastery. Buildings and cells were erected and the church was restored. Between 1863 and 1903, the Carthusian monastery underwent successive extensions, the last of which was to accommodate Carthusian monks expelled from France. This wing of cells was removed in 2008 to restore stability to the convent, which had been dragged down the slope.

AN EXCEPTIONAL RENOVATION

A recent restoration (2005 - 2008) has enhanced the historic substance of the monastery and affirmed its influence beyond its own walls. This landscaping project as part of the deconstruction of the cells built in 1903 won the prize for the best Swiss achievement in landscape architecture (Lapin d'or, 2008).

EMBLEMATIC ARCHITECTURE

The Chartreuse de La Valsainte is emblematic of the architecture of this monastic order: behind high walls, the fathers' cells on a staggered vertical plan, the central conventual building with the church and the main courtyard, the brothers' building and various workshops (forge, carpentry, bakery); outside the walls, a guest house and a chapel. For a long time, the monastery lived in the centre of a desert: an area forbidden to women and to any activity. From the 19th century onwards, this area gradually became the hamlet of La Valsainte, home to the farmers and lumberjacks who farmed the monastery's land.

AN AUSTERE ORDER

The Carthusian order is one of the most austere: the monks observe perpetual enclosure, almost absolute silence, frequent fasts and complete abstinence from meat. They are visited by their families for only two days a year. The Carthusians have no spiritual doctrine of their own. The key to Carthusian spirituality is solitude (soli Deo, alone in God). Silence is its corollary, even if it is not lived in an absolute way.

VISIT

The Carthusian monastery of La Valsainte is not open to visitors; it is still a place of prayer, with brothers and fathers in active service. You can respectfully stroll outside the walls and enter the chapel, respecting the silence of the Carthusian monks.

In the Charmey Museum, a room presents the history of the monastery and a monk's cell. Open daily from 10am to 12pm and from 2pm to 5pm, Sunday afternoons only.