Chartreuse de Seillon

The Chartreuse de Seillon is a Carthusian monastery in Péronnas with buildings spread across spacious grounds that reflect medieval religious design. The complex includes individual monk cells, prayer halls, and the Ancienne Chapelle Notre-Dame de Seillon, which survives to this day.

The monastery was founded in 1168 and initially followed strict Carthusian principles. After roughly one year, Franciscan monks took it over and maintained use of the site until it was abandoned during the French Revolution around 1792.

The place draws its name from a local chapel dedicated to Mary that shaped religious life here. Visitors can observe how the buildings were organized to allow monks solitary time in their cells while maintaining spaces for shared prayer.

The site sits in rural surroundings and is best explored on foot, so sturdy footwear is advisable. Layout-wise, the buildings follow clear paths, making navigation straightforward.

The grounds contain traces of systems that allowed monks to grow food and organize agricultural work on site. Careful observation reveals how functional spaces were balanced between personal needs and shared resource management.