Musée de la Grande Chartreuse

About the museum

The Correrie was the “lower house” of the Grande Chartreuse monastery, where the lay brothers worked, raised livestock and also cared for sick monks. It owes its name to the prior who managed the post from the 14th century onwards. The first buildings already existed when Saint Bruno and his six companions arrived in the Chartreuse wilderness in 1084. Several fires, in 1444, 1588 and 1674, destroyed the buildings, which were partly rebuilt.

In the 19th century, a 30-bed hospital opened here in 1861 and treated around 10,000 patients from the region free of charge. On April 29, 1903, soldiers expelled the Carthusians from the monastery. The Correrie then housed a dairy school (1909–1920), and later holiday camps.

Because the influx of tourists was disturbing the monks’ lives, it was decided in 1955 to create a museum and a car park. After extensive restoration, the Musée de la Grande Chartreuse opened its doors on July 22, 1957. It presents the history of the order, the architecture of Carthusian monasteries, and then the day of a Carthusian monk, from dawn to dusk. It also displays part of the Cartes de Chartreuse, large 17th- to 19th-century canvases depicting the order’s monasteries.

Highlights

• Correrie, former lower house of the Carthusians
• Collection of the Cartes de Chartreuse (large paintings of the monasteries, 17th–19th centuries)
• Route through a Carthusian monk’s day, from dawn to dusk
• History of the Carthusian order since Saint Bruno
• Architecture of Carthusian monasteries in Europe

Permanent exhibitions

• Parcours permanent : l’ordre des Chartreux et la vie monastique – A historical section on the order’s development and the architecture of Carthusian monasteries, followed by a section on the day of a Carthusian monk.
• Collection des Cartes de Chartreuse – Large paintings of about 2 m by 1.5 m, painted between the 17th and 19th centuries, showing the order’s monasteries.

Founded

1957

Visitors per year

approx. 68,681

Admission & discounts

Payment by cash, bank card, chèques-vacances, chèque culture or Pass Région card; the Pass culture is accepted online only.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility, with a drop-off point in front of the entrance. Wheelchairs and seat-canes are lent on request. A lift serves the route, and every room has benches. Assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

A visit booklet to fill in helps children discover the museum as a family. A family pack is offered at the ticket desk.

Getting there & parking

By car: about 40 minutes from Voiron or Chambéry, 1 hour from Grenoble, 1 hour 30 minutes from Lyon, via Saint-Laurent-du-Pont and the D520B. The museum is about a 15-minute walk from the bus stop, with a climb of around 150 m. EV charging points are located in Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse and Saint-Laurent-du-Pont. The museum holds the Accueil Vélo label.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A shop is available. A room for storing luggage can be booked by groups of more than 15 people. The chapel is open to all.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit