It may well be one of the calmest, most peaceful places in the region. That IS not by chance. It was built under Pope Innocent VI for the original purpose of housing a small group of monks in the Carthusian Order. The Pope built a magnificent monastery and commissioned Matteo Giovannetti, painter of the frescoes at the Palace of the Popes, to decorate it, and the pope himself was buried there in 1362.

Today most of La Chartreuse has been renovated. Its harmonious volumes, the beauty of the cloisters and the soft light all contribute to its pervasive atmosphere. The apse of the church has collapsed and light comes pouring through the broken roof. Today La Chartreuse is an artists’ residence and a cultural venue for the Festival d’Avignon. Take the time to enjoy La Chartreuse, and to dine at its café or its summer restaurant.

Practical information

• Open every day :
  1st October to 31 March : 10 am to 5 pm.
  1st April to 30 September : 9.30 am to 6.30 pm.
• Closed on 1st January, 1st May, 1st and 11 November, 25 December.
  Annual closer 1st to 15 January.