About
Pope Innocent VI (whose tomb you can view) founded this charterhouse, which became the country's most powerful. The 12th-century graveyard cloister is lined with cells where the fathers prayed and meditated.

Founded by Pope Innocent VI in 1356, the Chartreuse of the Val-de-Bénédiction was one of the greatest in France, after the Chartreuse of Grenoble. Built between the 14th and the 16th centuries, its is composed of three cloisters and several monastic buildings (church, refectory, monks' cells, chapter house) as well as numerous gardens. The chapel of Innocent VI is decorated with frescos painted by Matteo Giovanetti in the 14th century. The monumental Gothic tomb of this pope, which also dates from the 14th century, was installed in the chapel of the Holy Trinity.

When he died in 1362, Innocent VI was buried in one of the church's chapels. His works were continued through the centuries by his nephew the cardinal of Pamplona, then by the architect François Royer de la Valfenière.
 
During the French Revolution, the Carthusian monastery suffered serious damage. In 1835, the writer Prosper Mérimée, then inspector of historical monuments, started proceedings to protect the monastery.

Hours:
April 1-September 30: 9 am-6:30 pm.
October 1-March 31: 9:30 am-5:30 pm.
Closed  January 1, May 1, November 1 and 11, December 25.

Price:
Admission 6.10€ ($7.95) adults, 4.10€ ($5.35) students, free for children under 18