Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Museum of the Great Chartreuse, installed in the old Correrie of the monastery, was founded in 1957 to present the history and lifestyle of the Chartreux monks. Located in Saint-Pierre-de-Chartrouse, it occupies the monastic buildings of the 17th to 19th centuries, formerly dedicated to the conversing brothers, then transformed into printing and infirmary. This site, below the monastery, allows to channel visitors remotely respecting places of silence and contemplation.

The museum, labeled Musée de France, offers a museum tour around the Jardin du Cloître, designed by architect Catherine Bizouard. It highlights the vocation of monks and their history through 900 years of existence. Since 2010, the museum has been structured around 79 maps painted in the 17th century, representing Chartreuses from all over the world. These works, classified as historical monuments, illustrate the specific architecture of the order.

These maps, commissioned by Dom Innocent Le Masson (prieur and minister general of the Order), have been restored to reveal their artistic and historical value. The museum, accessible to people with reduced mobility since 2012, offers a contemporary look at monastic life, in accordance with the wishes of the Chartreux fathers. Its current director is Philip Boyer.

The site of the Correrie, chosen for its strategic position, preserves the tranquility of the monastery while welcoming the public. The buildings, witnesses to the evolution of the community (habitat of conversants, workshops, printing), now house a unique collection. The museum plays a key role in transmitting the spiritual and architectural heritage of the Chartreux.

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