History of the Monastery
from the 13th century to the French Revolution:

Guillaume de Roussillon, sent to the Holy Land by the king, died in Acre in 1277. According to legend, some years later, his widow, Béatrix de la Tour du Pin, had a premonition concerning the construction of a Carthusian monastery. In fact, she donated a stronghold that she owned on the village’s present site, on the condition that she could end her days there.

From 1280, the first Carthusian constructions were built: the church, small cloister, chapter house, refectory, kitchen and hermitages. Later, the two courtyards and the facade were built. These are some of the well-preserved places that are visited on tours.

Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez monastery was organised according to the same principles as Carthusian monasteries that already existed. It housed a community of fathers and brothers until 1792, when they left the premises forever.

Drawing showing the construction of the Great Chartreuse monastery

Facade of the former Carthusian monastery of Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez in the early 20th century.

From the French Revolution to today:
In 1794, the monastery, which had become a national property, was divided into 44 lots, which were sold by auction to families from the surrounding areas.

The small farmers moved into the monastery. They made alterations to certain parts, including the demolition of the second courtyard cloister in 1840 to facilitate the passage of horse-drawn carriages, and the elimination of certain premises to allow construction of the present church bell-tower. However, the overall architectural complex was preserved.

The monastery became a village under the name of Sainte-Croix-en-Pavezin, then the town of Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez in 1888 . The present population, the town hall, the school, tourist reception facilities and a restaurant occupy certain hermitages and common areas such as the former bakery and the inn. This village is a very special example of the transformation of a religious complex into a lay complex.