The Charterhouse of La Sylve-Bénite is of early origin and was one of the first foundations established from La Grande Chartreuse. Its beginnings were modest, yet it remained active until the Revolution, after which it was dismantled. Today only a few remains of the monastery survive.
The foundation of this house is dated to 1116, when the first community arrived from the nearby Grande Chartreuse. It consisted of six Carthusians under the direction of Othger, the first prior of the house. No prominent founder or patron is known; however, La Sylve-Bénite later benefited from Frederick I Barbarossa (1122–1190), following the entry into the community of Thierry, considered his brother or son. Thierry used his influence in favour of the house and of the Carthusian Order itself. Humbert III of Savoy (1136–1189) also contributed by facilitating the purchase of the site of Ars, near the charterhouse.
In the following years, La Sylve-Bénite continued to benefit from privileges and donations from leading figures of the time, particularly the lords of Clermont (Dauphiné). This made possible the reconstruction of the monastery, providing it with the necessary buildings and facilities for its activity. Later on, the charterhouse suffered the effects of the Wars of Religion: in the second half of the sixteenth century the house was attacked and plundered on several occasions, causing serious damage and the temporary flight of the monks.
Illustration from Maisons de l'ordre des Chartreux
After a long period of rebuilding, normal life was restored and continued until the Revolution, which once again affected the community. The house was attacked in 1789 and definitively suppressed in 1792. In 1794 the site became private property and, before the end of the century, almost the entire charterhouse had been demolished. Today only a few structural remains can be seen. At some distance stands the former correrie, now serving as the cultural centre known as the Grange Dîmière.
Illustration from Maisons de l'ordre des Chartreux
Armorial général de France (18th century)
Bibliothèque nationale de France
The correrie
The correrie
- ANIEL, Jean-Pierre (1983). Les maisons de chartreux des origines à la chartreuse de Pavie. París: Arts et Métiers Graphiques
- BESSE, J.-M.; i altres (1939). Abbayes et prieurés de l'ancienne France. Vol. 9: Province ecclésiastique de Vienne. Abbaye de Ligugé
- BEYSSAC, Jean (1927). Rapports de l'Église de Lyon et de l'ordre des chartreux. Bulletin de la Diana, vol. 22
- CARTOIXA DE NOTRE-DAME DES PRÉS (1913). Maisons de l'ordre des Chartreux. Vol. I. Chartreuse de Notre-Dame des Prés (Tournai)
- LAGIER, A. (1889). La Chartreuse de la Sylve-Bénite. Près Virieu-sur-Bourbre (Isère). Bulletin de l’Académie Delphinale. S4 V2. Grenoble: Allier
- LE COUTEULX, Carolo (1887). Annales Ordinis Cartusiensis ab anno 1084 ad annum 1429, Vol. I. S. Mariae de Pratis
- RAVERAT (1877). La Silve Bénite. Revue du Lyonnais. S4 T3. Lió: Vingtrinier
La Sylve-Bénite is located in the commune of Le Pin (Isère), northwest of Grenoble, near Lake Paladru