Chartreuse
Chartreuse
The Chartreuse region is a quiet, peaceful land of forests, entered by crossing one of several mountain passes and discovered along winding roads often overhanging rushing torrents.
It is an ideal retreat for contemplation, as the Carthusian Fathers discovered when they founded the Grande Chartreuse Monastery over 900 years ago.
With its small village resorts lying at the heart of the Regional Park, it is a perfect place for either a brisk walk or simply dreaming.
La Ruchère / Saint-Christophe sur Guiers
A high-level plateau perfect for cross-country skiing at the heart of the Chartreuse Regional Park.
Its spruce forests and clearings form a perfect setting for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.
Les petites roches : St-Pancrasse / St-Bernard du Touvet / St-Hilaire-du-Touvet
The Petites Roches plateau, at the gateway to Grenoble, looks out over the Grésivaudan peaks and is a charming mid-altitude family resort lying within the Chartreuse Regional Park.
> www.st-hilaire-du-touvet.com
Le Sappey-en-Chartreuse / Col de Porte
The closest downhill and cross-country skiing resort to Grenoble (just 12 km) at an altitude of 1000 m.
The Col de Porte ski area enables this mid-altitude resort to enjoy a full skiing season.
> www.sappey-tourisme.fr.fm
Saint-Pierre de Chartreuse
An authentic mountain village nestling at the heart of the Chartreuse Regional Park, Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse is a peaceful retreat for a quiet, relaxing break.
> www.st-pierre-chartreuse.com
Entremonts Valley
The Entremonts Valley, straddling the departments of Isère and Savoie, nestles in an unspoilt rural setting and groups together three ski areas: Le Granier (Savoie), Le Désert d'Entremonts (Savoie) and Le Planolet (Isère).
> www.st-pierre-chartreuse.com
Worth seeing
Chartreuse Regional Park
A dense forest covers nearly 60% of this Regional Park, the smallest in the Pre-Alps and a paradise for lovers of outdoor sports.
Tél. 04 76 88 75 20
St Hilaire du Touvet funicular railway
This funicular dates back to 1924 and climbs a vertical height of 800 metres. Passengers enjoy breathtaking views over the Chartreuse and the Oulle waterfall.
Tel. : 04 76 08 00 02
Grande Chartreuse Monastery
Founded by Saint Bruno 900 years ago, the Monastery is still occupied by Carthusian monks and is therefore closed to visitors.
A former outbuilding a few kilometres away, the Correrie, has been converted into a museum depicting life at the monastery..
Tél. 04 76 88 60 45
St Hugues Church
The interior of this church has been entirely decorated by the painter Arcabas, and is a listed museum of contemporary sacred art.
Tel. 04 76 88 65 01
