Located in a green vale in the lower foothills of the Pilat Mountains, the village of Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez is almost entirely enclosed in remarkably well-preserved buildings of a former Carthusian monastery that was built from the 13th century.

A community of monks following the rules of Saint Bruno lived in this monastery until 1792. On that date, the monks were evicted by revolutionaries, and the buildings, which had become national properties, were auctioned and bought by families of small farmers from surrounding areas who came and lived in them. The monastery, which became a village in this way, remained virtually intact for more than two hundred years after its change of occupation.

The uniqueness and quality of the site attracts numerous visitors, including many foreigners. It is listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, and it can be visited all year round (guided tours are recommended).
It is not an empty monument, but a living village.

Welcome to Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez