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The Chartreuse de Sainte-Croix en Jarez à Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez dans la Loire

Patrimoine classé
Patrimoine religieux
Chartreuse
Eglise gothique

The Chartreuse de Sainte-Croix en Jarez

    Le Bourg
    42800 Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez
Property of the municipality; property of the department; ownership of a public institution; property of an association; private property
La Chartreuse de Sainte-Croix en Jarez
La Chartreuse de Sainte-Croix en Jarez
La Chartreuse de Sainte-Croix en Jarez
La Chartreuse de Sainte-Croix en Jarez
La Chartreuse de Sainte-Croix en Jarez
La Chartreuse de Sainte-Croix en Jarez
La Chartreuse de Sainte-Croix en Jarez
La Chartreuse de Sainte-Croix en Jarez
La Chartreuse de Sainte-Croix en Jarez
La Chartreuse de Sainte-Croix en Jarez
La Chartreuse de Sainte-Croix en Jarez
La Chartreuse de Sainte-Croix en Jarez
Crédit photo : GO69 - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

Moyen Âge central
Bas Moyen Âge
Renaissance
Temps modernes
Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1300
1400
1500
1600
1700
1800
1900
2000
1281
Foundation of the monastery
XIVe siècle
Church murals
1629
Fire of the Gothic Church
1792
Expulsion of monks
1888
Sainte-Croix becomes a municipality
1988-1997
Historical Monuments
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

14th century wall paintings decorating the chapel Saint-Thiébaud de Vasselieu in the church (cad. AH 17): classification by decree of 10 March 1902 - Interiors of the presbytery (cad. AH 41), of the town hall building (cad. AH 76), of the school building (cad. AH 49), of buildings for use as dwellings (cad. AH 43, 87, 98); buildings for residential use (see Box AH 53, 39, 44, 58, 61, 313, 75, 312, 78, 83, 88, 79, 90, 301, 92, 94, 40, 91, 337 to 340, 48, 328, 69, 82); Buildings AH 38, 89, 54): inscription by decree of 2 September 1988 - Church, including the sacristy (former church) and the floor of the former adjoining cemetery (former small cloister) (Box AH 77); facades and roofs of the school (Box AH 49) and adjoining gardens (Box AH 50, 51); facades and roofs of the town hall and the floor of the adjoining courtyard (Box AH 76); facades and roofs of the former presbytery (Box AH 41); former Archives Hall located in the cadastre building AH 48; the floor of the main courtyard (Communal Way 202) and the floor of the courtyard of the cloister (Communal Way 203) and the ground of the passage connecting them (Non-Cadastre Box); façades and roofs of the present building (see AH 97); former northwest corner cell (Box AH 343, 341, 327); former kitchen building of the Chartreuse (Box AH 45); facades and roofs of buildings for residential use (Box AH 43, 98, 87): classification by order of 10 May 1995 - Building housing the former prior's cell (with its walkway and garden); former library (AH 47, 48): classification by decree of 10 April 1997; - The cartreuse in its entirety as well as the layouts and parcels of its desert, all located at the place called "Le Bourg" cadastré section AH; all equally situated between the Couzon and Boissieux rivers, marked for facades and roofs and parcels of plates, including communal roads Nos.202 and 203, rural roads for sections crossing it, crosses of the two squares, their masonry elements and any decoration or archaeological element that could be discovered within the Chartreuse and its desert, in addition to all the elements already classified or listed under the Historical Monuments (see AH 9, 12 to 14, 16 to 22, 26 to 38, 42, 46, 50 to 52, 55 to 57, 59, 62, 65 to 68, 70 to 72, 80, 81, 84 to 86, 93, 95, 96, 99, 299, 300, 302, 306, 308 to 311, 321, 322, 327, 329 to 336, 341, 342): inscription by order of 7 November 2016

Key figures

Béatrix de la Tour du Pin - Founder of the Chartreuse Widow of Guillaume de Roussillon.
Thibaud de Vassalieu - Archdeacon of Lyon Benefactor, buried in the church.
Dom Polycarpe de la Rivière - Prior and scholar Author of religious texts.

Origin and history

The Chartreuse de Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez, located in the Massif du Pilat, was founded in 1281 by Beatrix de la Tour du Pin, widow of Guillaume de Roussillon. This Chartreux monastery, dedicated to the Holy Cross, is part of a family tradition of religious patronage. Beatrix, inspired by mystical visions, chose this isolated place to establish a monacal community, while obtaining the exceptional permission to be buried there, in violation of strict rules of order.

Over the centuries, the Chartreuse extends through donations and acquisitions, becoming an autonomous domain. The monks lived there until 1792, when the French Revolution chased them. The monastery, sold as a national good, was then divided into lots and transformed into a village. The buildings, originally dedicated to the spiritual and material life of the Chartreux, become houses, a town hall, a school and a parish church, thus preserving part of their original structure.

The architecture of the Chartreuse reflects Gothic and Baroque influences, with elements such as the 15th century fortified facade, restored in the 17th century, or the medieval church with 14th century murals, rediscovered in 1896. These frescoes, dedicated to Thibaud de Vassalieu, archdeacon of Lyon and benefactor of the monastery, testify to the artistic richness of the site. The 17th century cloister, fathers' cells and obediences (buildings dedicated to daily tasks) illustrate the rigorous organization of Cartusian life.

Today, Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez is a unique village, where the ancient Chartreuse forms the historic heart. Classified as a Historic Monument, it attracts visitors for its preserved heritage and atypical history. The site, managed by local associations and the tourist office, offers guided tours, exhibitions and cultural events, thus perpetuating the memory of this monastery which has become common.

Among the personalities related to the charter, Beatrix de la Tour du Pin remains the central, founding and protective figure of the monastery. Thibaud de Vassalieu, benefactor and influential figure of the 14th century, is buried there under the murals dedicated to him. Dom Polycarp de la Rivière, prior in the 17th century, marks the history of the place by its writings and erudition, contributing to the intellectual fame of the community.

The Chartreuse, transformed into a village after the Revolution, is today a rare example of monacal heritage converted. Its buildings, partially restored, house about fifty inhabitants and public services, while preserving architectural traces of their religious past. This site, labeled among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, combines history, culture and green tourism in the heart of the Pilat Regional Natural Park.

External links