Monastère de Chalais
The abbey in the spring of 2012
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 Location within France
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| Monastery information | |
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| Order | Dominican |
| Established | 1101 |
| Site | |
| Location | Near Voreppe. Isère, France |
| Coordinates | 45°17′34″N 5°40′33″E / 45.292852°N 5.675941°ECoordinates: 45°17′34″N 5°40′33″E / 45.292852°N 5.675941°E |
| Website | www |
The Monastère de Chalais, also called Châlais-sur-Voreppe or Notre-Dame de Châlais, is a Dominican convent near the town of Voreppe, Isère, France. The convent dates from 1101. At first the Order of Chalais was independent, but in 1303 it was absorbed by the Carthusians. The monastery was partly destroyed in 1562 during French Wars of Religion, but was rebuilt. The state seized it during the French Revolution (1789–99) and sold it to a private owner. From 1844 to 1887 it was again a monastery, this time Dominican, before again being sold. The present community of Dominican nuns bought the property in 1963 and restored it. Today the nuns of Chalais manufacture Monastic biscuits to cover their expenses.
The monastery is about 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) from Voreppe along a winding forest road. It is located on a plateau overlooking Voreppe at an altitude of 940 metres (3,080 ft), which is often snow-covered in winter. The monastery is set in a beautiful location in the Chartreuse Mountains. It has a cemetery and a Romanesque church.
Chalais can be reached by foot from Voreppe, to the west, with a climb of about two hours. It is connected by a difficult road to the Grande Chartreuse convent. The monastery is on a conical hill with a cross on the summit, about a half hour walk away. From the summit there is a view of mountains and the whole valley of the Isère river as far as the Rhône. The atmosphere of the remote location is peaceful and conducive to meditation.
The monastery originated when saint Hugues de Châteauneuf, bishop of Grenoble, established some monks at Chalais in 1101. At first there were just two or three monks. They were called the "hermits of Chalais". They lived apart from the world, followed the rule of Saint Benedict, practiced forestry and raised sheep. In 1110 the occupants were thinking of abandoning the hermitage when they were given donations and support by the pious Count of Albon and his wife Mathilde. The monks built a Romanesque church, which still stands.
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Wikipedia