Chartreuse de Vaucluse

The Chartreuse de Vaucluse is a Carthusian monastery at the edge of Lake Vouglans, with only its entrance portal and two pavilions remaining above the water line. The rest of the structure sits submerged beneath the lake.

The monastery was founded in 1139 after Hugh of Cuiseaux donated a large territory to establish it. Major reconstructions took place between 1756 and 1787 before the site eventually became submerged.

The monastery followed Carthusian traditions, where monks lived in solitude and structured their days around labor essential to the community. This monastic way of life shaped the rhythm of the place for centuries.

The entrance portal and two pavilions are private property visible from outside, while the submerged sections require diving equipment to explore. Visitors should observe the site respectfully from a distance.

In 2008, vintners conducted an unusual experiment by placing wine bottles in the submerged ruins to study how wine ages underwater compared to traditional cellar storage. The bottles remained as part of this extended research over twenty years.