La Valsainte Charterhouse

La Valsainte Charterhouse (Chartreuse de la Valsainte) stands in Val-de-Charmey municipality, near the village of Cerniat, in the Gruyère region of the canton of Fribourg. It is the only Carthusian monastery still active in Switzerland and one of the most secluded religious sites in the country.

What is La Valsainte and who lives here?

Carthusians combine hermit life with community: monks spend most of the day alone in their cells, in silence, praying and working, and gather in the monastery church for common services. The language of the house is French. In 2011 the community counted 9 priests and 7 lay brothers. The monastery keeps strict enclosure, so this is not a sight to tour from the inside.

What is the history of the monastery?

The foundation is dated to 1295, by Girard I, lord of Corbières, on land of the former County of Gruyère. Construction dragged on and, according to studies, was not complete before the mid-14th century. A fire destroyed the buildings in 1381. The church's original vault dates from the first half of the 14th century, and its funding is linked to Mariona of Fribourg.

In 1778 the Fribourg government dissolved the monastery and took over its revenues. After the French Revolution, from 1791 to 1815, French Trappist refugees lived here. The Carthusians returned in the mid-19th century, after being expelled from La Part-Dieu in 1848. The 19th- and 20th-century wings added later also housed Carthusians driven out of France. Little medieval fabric survives today, yet the complex is listed in the Swiss inventory of sites of national importance (ISOS).

What can you see?

From outside you see a large monastic complex among meadows and woods in the Fribourg Prealps, with the church, cloisters and a row of small cell houses. The interior stays closed. The real draw is the setting: quiet, mountain pastures and views of the Gruyère ranges. Hiking trails run through the area from Charmey and Cerniat, so Valsainte fits well into a full-day outing.

How do you get to La Valsainte?

The nearest villages are Cerniat and Charmey, deep in the Gruyère region. The monastery sits at roughly 46.649 N, 7.189 E. By car, drive from Bulle through Charmey and Cerniat on a local mountain road. Before you go, check current access rules on the monastery's or the Diocese of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg's website, since the Carthusians limit visits.

When should you visit?

Late spring, summer and early autumn are best for walks in the area. In winter the road and trails can be snowy, but the landscape is especially silent. A visit takes 1–2 hours, or half a day if you add a walk on nearby paths.

Frequently asked questions

Can you enter La Valsainte monastery?

No. It is a strictly enclosed monastery and visitors do not enter the living quarters. Access to the chapel or services is set by the community, so ask before you travel.

When was La Valsainte founded?

In 1295. Most of today's buildings result from rebuilding and expansion in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Is it the only Carthusian monastery in Switzerland?

Yes, it is the last active house of the order in the country.

What language do the monks speak?

French, as in the rest of the Gruyère area.