Histoire, culture et bien-être en un seul lieu

You're probably familiar with the expression “au diable Vauvert”, which originated in medieval Paris, but do you know its connection with a heritage and cultural site dedicated to a famous liqueur created in the 13th century by the Carthusian monks? Here's a look back at the rich history of this religious order, still active in Isère, whose invaluable expertise in herbal medicine and distilling is now on display at this beautiful address in the Odéon district.

Pioneering monks

While well-being and respect for the environment may seem like very modern issues, the Carthusian monks were more than ahead of their time, taking an interest in them as far back as the Middle Ages.

From 1257, when the monastic order settled in Paris, until the French Revolution, they developed botanical knowledge in a large natural site on the current site of the Luxembourg Gardens.

A site previously abandoned and allegedly haunted (hence the famous expression evoking a dangerous expedition), they were to make it prosper:

In the 17th century, with an elixir based on a formula of 130 medicinal plants.

In the 18th, with an orchard of 14,000 fruit trees sold throughout Europe.

In the 19th century, with the production of Chartreuse liqueurs, direct descendants of the first elixir finalized in 1764.

A 1st distillery born after centuries of self-subsistence by this religious order founded in 1084, which, in a turbulent French history, has been through many trials: fires, epidemics, political changes (separation of Church and State, revolutions...).

Fortunately, their legacy has survived to the present day, as illustrated by the recent opening of a combined museum, herbal store and bar(s).

A multi-faceted venue

Located less than 200 meters from where the monks used to live, this address on 128 boulevard Saint-Germain extends over 2 levels of 125 m2 and, right from the entrance, immerses visitors in history thanks to an imposing still used by the Carthusian monks in their 3rd distillery at Fourvoirie (Isère).

A little further on, original documents from the 17th and 18th centuries extend the immersion, which is truly complete with the discovery of the herbalist's shop (and its wide range of herbal teas), then the bar serving, of course, the Chartreuse.

The famous alcohol is also at the heart of a speakeasy located in the basement, reminiscent of the bars typical of the American Prohibition era, which used the liqueur in clandestine cocktails in the early 1900s.

Alongside these areas, which are open to all (except for the last one, which is only accessible by reservation), the Chartreuse Paris-Vauvert site offers a wide range of activities enabling visitors to benefit from the know-how developed over 5 centuries by the religious order:

Herbalist workshop
Guided by a naturopath, wellness-seekers will learn about the virtues of medicinal plants and be able to create their own blend before discovering the herbal tea best suited to their needs. They can also discover the gemmotherapy preparations recently developed by the Carthusian monks still active in Isère.

1h30 / Tuesdays at 4.30pm & one Saturday a month at 10.30am / 36€.

Vertical tasting workshop
Here, visitors are invited to discover traditional Chartreuse Verte or Jaune. Taste old and new vintages to learn more about how the famous liqueur ages in the bottle and its aromatic characteristics.

1h30 / Twice a month, by prior arrangement / 95€.

Outdoor guided tour
What better way to illustrate the bridge between past and present embodied by the Chartreuse Paris-Vauvert site than to follow in the footsteps of the Carthusian monks in Paris? The tour takes in the Jardin du Luxembourg and concludes with a guided tasting of the 2 liqueurs and the historic Elixir Vegetal de la Grande Chartreuse.

2h / Summer, Monday to Sunday; winter, Friday to Sunday / 19€.

Cocktail workshops are also available on site, and the work of a contemporary artist is on display in an exhibition space in this must-see venue.

To find out more and book an activity, visit the Chartreuse Paris-Vauvert website.

Enjoy your discovery.
Valérie from Comme des Français

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STORY

La Chartreuse Paris-Vauvert

Pioneering monks

A multi-faceted venue