The Chartreuse of the Valley of Blessing owes its origin to the will of the Pope Innocent VI. This one after the election in 1352, donated in the order of the Carthusian monks of the lands and the particular hotel that it(he) possessed in Villeneuve-lez-Avignon of the time when it(he) was cardinal.

It(he) made lead quickly the works of the first foundation, foreseen originally for twelve monks, and conferred him(her) numerous privileges. It(he) confided(entrusted) the decoration of its(his) particular chapel to Matteo Giovanetti, author of the frescoes of the palace of the Popes . Attached(fastened) to the Chartreuse, it(he) is buried in its(his) demand when he dies on September 12, 1362. Its mausoleum, a monument moved after the Revolution, found its place in the church in 1959. The work of Innocent VI should be pursued by his(her) nephew Pierre Selva de Montirac, Cardinal de Pampelune who finished the construction of the convent Saint Jean in 1372. In the course of the centuries, the Chartreuse increased its wealth, its influence and its beauty with embellisssements due to François Royer de la Valfenière.

The three convents there made(did) the vastest Chartreuse of France. Sold by prizes(lots) to the French Revolution, its library and the objects of art which it contained, scattered, the Chartreuse should undergo of grave damages.

In 1835, the degradation of the church and the frescoes drew the attention of the writer Prosper Mérimée, Then inspector of ancient memorials. It(he) implemented(operated) immediately procedures of protection. In 1909, the State begins the rehabilitation of the convent with the statement of the whole architecture Jules Formigé, the first works of restoration and the decision of the progressive repurchase of all the buildings(ships) of the perimeter of origin.

Today the Chartreuse, in good restored part(party), seduced by its harmonious proportions, the sweetness of its convents and the breach of light that a collapsed apse opens in the church.

Credit text : Being extracted advertising Plaque "The Chartreuse" Photo : Plaque Villeneuve lez Avignon's chartreuse"