Les Fêtes de la Chartreuse

The Chartreuse Trilogy in Celebration

The Fêtes de la Chartreuse celebrate every year around May 16th the "Chartreuse trilogy": the Chartreuse massif, a vast protected natural area between Grenoble, Chambéry, and Voiron; the Carthusian Order, founded in 1084 by Saint Bruno in the massif; and the Chartreuse liqueur, an elixir with 130 plants produced by the Carthusian monks since the 18th century. This unique triptych is the richness and identity of this exceptional territory.

A Multi-Site Event

The Fêtes de la Chartreuse take place in four towns linked by the history of Chartreuse:

• Voiron: headquarters of the Chartreuse Cellars, where the liqueur is bottled and aged. It is the heart of the festivities with the parade and the popular banquet.
• Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse: town of the Grande Chartreuse monastery, the cradle of the Carthusian Order since 1084.
• Saint-Laurent-du-Pont: former Chartreuse distillery, a historic step in the liqueur's production.
• Entre-Deux-Guiers: town in the heart of the Chartreuse massif.

Festival Highlights

The Fêtes de la Chartreuse are structured around several highlights:

• Conferences and Exhibitions: thematic conferences on the massif, plants, the history of the Carthusians, and liqueur production, accompanied by exhibitions.
• Visits to the Chartreuse Cellars: reduced-price visits to the new museum spaces retracing the history since 1084, highlighting the craftsmanship and the plants of the massif. The Cellars' bar is exceptionally open throughout the festival week.
• The Grand Parade: starts from the Chartreuse Cellars towards the town center of Voiron, bringing together residents, associations, and brotherhoods in a festive and colorful atmosphere.
• The Popular Banquet: a huge popular banquet brings together up to 3,500 guests and 2,500 seats for a convivial meal in the center of Voiron.
• The Pyrotechnic Show: a sound and light show concludes the main evening, with fireworks and thematic projections.

Strong Territorial Roots

Organized by the City of Voiron in partnership with the Chartreuse Cellars (Chartreuse Diffusion) and the towns of the massif, the Fêtes de la Chartreuse attract thousands of visitors each year. They contribute to the tourist and cultural influence of the region and the valorization of a unique living heritage.