The monastery was founded by Pope Innocent VI to serve as his final resting place, which is still located in the chapel today.
The complex originally housed 12 to 24 monks living in strict isolation, each occupying an individual cell with a small private garden.
During the French Revolution, the monastery was seized, sold off, and partially dismantled for building materials, leading to the loss of several structures.
The 'Cloître des Boissons' (Drink Cloister) is a rare example of monastic architecture specifically designed for the monks' communal food and water distribution.
The Chartreuse serves as a 'Centre national des écritures du spectacle,' commissioning and archiving thousands of contemporary plays annually.
The walls of the St. John chapel feature restored 14th-century frescos by the school of Matteo Giovannetti, who also worked at the nearby Palais des Papes.
The site survived as a private residence and later a military hospital before being acquired by the French state for restoration in the 20th century.
La Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction is a 14th-century former Carthusian monastery functioning today as a national center for playwriting and theatrical creation. Founded in 1356 by Pope Innocent VI, the site remains one of the largest monasteries of the Carthusian order in France. The architecture centers around three distinct cloisters, including the expansive Cloître du Cimetière. The facility hosts playwrights-in-residence who work in the refurbished cells of former monks. Visitors can explore the gothic chapel containing the tomb of Pope Innocent VI and the frescoed St. John the Baptist chapel. The site serves as a vital cultural hub during the annual Festival d'Avignon, hosting contemporary performance art and theater rehearsals. Its preserved medieval layout contrasts with the modern literary and dramatic activities held within its stone walls.
The center of the large Cloître du Cimetière, which offers the most symmetrical view of the gothic arches and surrounding monastic cells.
Bring a light sweater, as the thick stone walls keep the interior significantly cooler than the outdoor summer heat.
Check the official program ahead of time to see if your visit coincides with a public reading or rehearsal, which can offer a unique behind-the-scenes perspective.
Walk the full perimeter of the outer gardens to see the original defensive walls that protected the monastery.
Do not mistake this for the Palais des Papes; it is a separate, quieter institution located in the neighboring commune of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.
Closed on Tuesdays during the off-season; check for potential closures during private rehearsals or seasonal installation changes.
Maintain a quiet tone, as this is a working center for professional artists and writers.
