📷 Photo by SOHAM BANERJEE on UnsplashGrande Chartreuse
Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse, France
The mother house of the Carthusian order hidden in deep forest. The monastery itself is closed to visitors, but the museum at La Correrie shows how the silent monks live.
La Grande Chartreuse is the mother house of the Carthusian Order, in the Chartreuse mountains north of Grenoble, near Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse. In 1084 Bishop Hugh of Grenoble gave the site to the hermit Bruno and his companions, who founded the order. The first hermitage stood higher up the mountain; avalanches forced the community to settle about two kilometres lower down. The monastery was destroyed and rebuilt several times, and the present building dates from 1688. The complex is closed to visitors, and motor vehicles are banned on the surrounding roads.
About 2 km away, the museum at La Correrie tells the roughly 900-year history of the Carthusians; allow about 1.5 hours. The monks make the herbal liqueur Chartreuse, the proceeds of which fund the order and its charitable work. A path leads from the museum to the walls of the monastery complex. The museum is usually open from the end of March to early November; check times and access rules in advance (as of October 2026).
- Nearest town
- Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse, France
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 45.3587, 5.7818
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in January–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Camping l'OursonCampsite13 km from Grande Chartreuse · 30 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping Les 7 LauxCampsite18 km from Grande ChartreuseTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Camping Le Mont GrêleCampsite20 km from Grande ChartreuseTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Camping Détente et ClapotisCampsite21 km from Grande Chartreuse · 190 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Les 3 PucellesCampsite22 km from Grande Chartreuse · 64 pitchesTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Camping de l'ArbazCampsite23 km from Grande Chartreuse · 80 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
All campsites in France · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Grande Chartreuse?
Grande Chartreuse is in Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse, France, at GPS 45.3587, 5.7818. It is about 9 km from Saint-Pierre-d’Entremont.
Can you camp near Grande Chartreuse?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse, Le Couzon, about 3 km away; within 25 km there are 57 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Grande Chartreuse?
Grande Chartreuse is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Savoy lakes and the Chartreuse massif.
What is there to see near Grande Chartreuse?
Places worth a stop nearby: Col du Granier (17 km), Col de la Croix de Fer (36 km), Alpe d’Huez hairpins (37 km) and Gorges de la Bourne (43 km).
When is the best time to visit Grande Chartreuse?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)