This village in Haute-Savoie houses an old charterhouse with a captivating charm

Because in the heart of the mountains, this village seems straight out of an ancient painting. Surrounded by deep forests, quiet pastures, and dominated by majestic cliffs, it breathes a peace almost unreal. Here, silence is not an emptiness: it is a presence. One can hear the wind caressing the trees, the distant ringing of bells, and sometimes, the discreet song of a stream rushing down the slope.

This place, still little known to visitors, offers a rare atmosphere. As you walk through its alleys, a strange feeling sets in, as if entering a suspended parenthesis of time. It is a place where religious history and alpine nature coexist with an almost mystical grace.

One of the most striking jewels of this site is an old charterhouse, founded in the 12th century. Nestled in a mountain cirque, it was initially a monastery of the Carthusian order before undergoing an astonishing transformation. Long inhabited by Carmelites, it now welcomes visitors curious about spirituality, architecture, or simply seeking serenity.

The contrast is striking: the austerity of the stone walls perfectly matches the softness of the surrounding landscape. In summer, the flowering meadows frame its geometric silhouettes; in winter, the snow transforms the site into a fairytale setting.

A personal experience etched in memory

I remember that autumn day when I arrived there, with no particular expectation. A light mist enveloped the peaks, gently filtering the morning light. Approaching the old charterhouse, I was seized by a deep calm, almost sacred. The air had a different density there, as if charged with stories and prayers. I spent long minutes observing the details: a sculpture hidden beneath a vault, the reflection of the cloister in a puddle of water, the distant cry of a hawk above the cliffs.

I ended my visit on a bench, facing the valley. The silence seemed more alive to me than a thousand speeches. And in that suspended moment, I understood why those who discover this place fall in love with it.

You guessed it…

This enchanting place is none other than Le Reposoir, a small village nestled in the Aravis massif, in Haute-Savoie. The Chartreuse du Reposoir, a spiritual and heritage jewel, stands at the heart of this haven of peace. A place one does not forget, and keeps dearly in the notebook of true discoveries.

Photo: Alain Towner – Agence Savoie Mont Blanc