Published articles
Discover le Reposoir
Originally published in Destination France, Issue 20, May 2007
Véronique Gray finds serenity in Haute Savoie
Le Reposoir monastery in Haute Savoie
One year, moved by a friend’s beautiful pictures, I decided to drive to the peaceful sight of Le Reposoir. I was not disappointed.
There are places worth visiting and revisiting. This ancient Carthusian monastery in Haute Savoy, belongs to those unforgettable places.
The site is quite picturesque. Evergreen trees and lush alpine fields surround a huge lake of green water with the reflection of the monastery. In the background, the best is the view of the highest summit of the Aravis mountain chain, La Pointe Percée (9026 feet). If you are lucky, some magnificent bearded vultures may fly above you. Almost extinct, the French authorities started a release program in the area in the late 1980s.
Founded in 1151, the monastery has only been a convent since 1932. It was founded by a Carthusian monk, Jean d’Espagne. The monks named this place Le Reposoir (meaning a temporary altar in French) because they found it peaceful. Jean d’Espagne is known to have said on his arrival: “Ici est mon reposoir” (Here is my altar).
The tour leads visitors to a Gothic cloister, its tiny squared inner garden surrounded with arches and to its chapel with beautiful stain-glass windows.
The nuns give guided tours each year during the days of patrimony in September. If not during the opening hours, you can watch a 20-minute audio film retracing the history of Le Reposoir and the life of the nuns. It closes at noon and reopens after lunch.
If you are fond of nature and old buildings or are just looking for a place to recharge your batteries, I recommend you stopping there while touring the region. There are also many walks, which can be done around the Reposoir.
FIND OUT MORE
TOURIST OFFICE
Fréchet, 74950 Le reposoir
T: (0033) (0)450981801
F: (0033) (0)450981801
Email: si.lereposoir@wanadoo.fr
Site is opened daily from 8 a.m. to 18:30 p.m.
TOUR DE FRANCE
The famous cycling race will pass by Le Reposoir on Saturday July 14th
ROAD
From Cluses
Take the D 4 going to the Col de la Colombière
If close for repairs, take the smaller road D119.
From Annecy
Take D909 to La Clusaz, then the D4 passing St Jean de Sixt, Le Grand Bornand. Continue looking for Col de La Colombière. After the Pass, drive another 5 miles.
AIR
The closest airports are Geneva and Chambéry. Major airlines fly from Geneva. For more information see our travel pases from page 58
TRAIN
www.raileurope.co.uk or call 08705 848 848
TGV to Geneva, Annecy, Chambéry all week and Cluses (weekends only).
