The Charterhouse of Saint-Hugon was established to the north-east of Grenoble, in the valley of the River Bens, a tributary of the Isère. In 1172, several figures connected with the region donated the lands required for the foundation of a new charterhouse. This initiative was preceded by a legend recounting a prodigious event: according to tradition, the inhabitants of the area saw, suspended in the air, the figure of a bishop accompanied by several Carthusian monks.
The figure in the vision was identified with Saint Hugh, Bishop of Grenoble (c. 1053–1132), who in 1084 played a decisive role in the foundation of Grande Chartreuse. The event was interpreted as Hugh’s will to establish a new charterhouse in this place. The donors, promoters of the initiative, were led by Countess Béatrice of Geneva, accompanied by Hug d’Arvillard, members of the Ainard family and other figures. The charterhouse was built between 1173 and 1189, when the church was consecrated, and was dedicated to Bishop Hugh, canonised in 1134 (Vallis Sancti Hugonis).
The house received the support of the counts of Savoy and of the Dauphiné of Viennois, as well as various churchmen, including bishops and popes (Celestine III, Innocent III, John XXII…). In addition to this support, the Carthusians developed an intensive agricultural and ironworking activity, promoting the establishment of several renowned metallurgical works. In 1562, during the Wars of Religion, the community was forced to flee temporarily; this episode contributed to the decline of the house during the sixteenth century. In the following century the monastery had to be rebuilt owing to the poor condition of the buildings. Between 1707 and 1715, Saint-Hugon hosted the female community of the Charterhouse of Prémol (Isère), which had temporarily abandoned its monastery after a fire.
Following the French Revolution, in 1793 the charterhouse was suppressed and the community dispersed. The property passed into private hands and fell into ruin. Only the guesthouse and the forge remained in use until 1873, when activity finally ceased. The site is now occupied by the Institut Karma Ling, a centre for Buddhist studies.
Illustration from Maisons de l'ordre des Chartreux (1913)
Illustration from Album du Dauphiné (1839)
Photo by Émile Duchemin († 1914)
Bibliothèque municipale de Grenoble
- BESSE, J.-M.; i altres (1939). Abbayes et prieurés de l'ancienne France. Vol. 9: Province ecclésiastique de Vienne. Abbaye de Ligugé
- BURNIER, Eugène (1869). La Chartreuse de Saint-Hugon en Savoie. Chambéry: Puthod
- CARTOIXA DE NOTRE-DAME DES PRÉS (1913). Maisons de l'ordre des Chartreux. Vol. I. Chartreuse de Notre-Dame des Prés (Tournai)
- CASSIEN, Victor; i altres (1839). Album du Dauphiné, Recueil de dessins. Vol. 3. Grenoble: Prudhomme
The former charterhouse is located in a valley belonging to the commune of Arvillard, to the north-east of Grenoble