Issue No. 25

In 1901 the Loi of Association separated the
church and state in France, and the
monastery finally met its end. It became a
sanatorium, orphanage and asylum. In WWI
the French Government turned it over to
refugees fleeing Belgium. 5000 people
passed through, 600 died there and are
buried in the grounds.
La Chartreuse has dozens of cloisters,
chapels, a library and other rooms. It was
once the home of the printing press for all
the Charterhouses of Europe 1800s but the
equipment was transferred to St Hugh’s
Charterhouse (there are plans to have it
returned).
A huge central courtyard around which are
cloisters is dominated by two belfries – one
for God and one for man with bells ringing
on the hour. The prior of the community
was elected every two years from the
Fathers and lived in a bigger house
overlooking the central courtyard.
When they died their bodies were laid to
rest in the chapel of death which you can
spot by the carved skull over the top of the
door. They were buried in a cloth, with no
marker, nothing remained of them with their
purpose fulfilled – to pray for mankind and
to have no ego.
Nowadays you can visit and see the
beautiful gardens overlooking the Canche
Valley but the guided tour (in French but
English speakers are given a paper guide to
help them) is essential to really appreciate
this incredible building.
Exhibitions are held in the refractory and
regular events take place year round
including a Blues Festival in the summer,
electro nights and concerts.
It’s a fascinating place with a real feeling of
spirituality…
lachartreusedeneuville.org