Le Reposoir: Chartreuse and mountain landscapes

Le Reposoir is defined by its former Chartreuse, now a Carmelite convent, and the mountain landscape around the Col de la Colombière. If you’re looking for a hotel in Le Reposoir, you can plan your stay around these interests: monastic heritage, trails by the lake and through the forest, or a cycling stage over the pass. The season also matters when planning, as the Col is seasonally closed in winter and some trails have their own access conditions.

Chartreuse and monastic heritage

The Chartreuse du Reposoir was founded by Carthusian monks in 1151. The former charterhouse, now a Carmelite convent, is listed as a historic monument. It includes a large and a small cloister in the Flamboyant Gothic style. Its founding history and specific architectural forms can therefore be explored without needing a general overview of the region.

The Chapelle du Bienheureux Jean d’Espagne was built in 1891 on the foundations of the first monastery’s 12th-century church. Every year on June 25, parishioners from Le Reposoir make a pilgrimage to this chapel. Porte d'Age also points to the history of the Carthusians: the restored ruin was once a farm and served as an entrance to their domain.

Les Jeudis du Patrimoine offers guided tours with a Guide du Patrimoine Savoie Mont-Blanc by reservation. The program also includes educational tours for children and young people, also by reservation. The five themes range from coats of arms and heraldic symbols to medieval architecture and the organization of a monastery, as well as sundials and the history and architecture of a fortified house. This lets you focus your cultural interests on a specific topic.

Lake, pass and mountain landscape

Lac du Carmel lies at the foot of the former Chartreuse and offers views of Pointe Percée. The Col de la Colombière opens up a different panorama, with views of the Aravis Massif and the Bargy range. It also provides a link to the Aravis Massif and its winter sports resorts. The lake and the pass thus offer two distinct points of reference for nature and landscape experiences around Le Reposoir.

Hikes and seasonal access

The Tour du Carmel par le Châble hike is easy to access, takes in a lake and forest, and offers mountain panoramas around Le Reposoir. One section, however, has a steep climb. Seasonal access is available from April 1 to November 15. If you plan this hike, take both the climb and the stated access period into account.

Les Balcons du Reposoir is a separate circular hike that runs mostly through forest and offers views of the monastery roofs and surrounding peaks. It is temporarily closed. The Grotte de Montarquis lies along a route from the Col de la Colombière through a wild karst hollow with abundant wildlife. Exploring inside the cave is reserved for cavers; access depends on the seasonal opening of the pass road.

Getting there and cycling route

From the A40 motorway, take exit 18 at Scionzier, then follow the road for 9 km towards Le Reposoir and the Col de la Colombière. As the Col is seasonally closed in winter, its status should be part of your travel plans. The Route des Grandes Alpes cycling stage also runs from Cluses through Le Reposoir to the Col de la Colombière. For this route, it is advisable to check seasonal conditions.

Discover more destinations

Cuvat, Faverges, Machilly, Saint-Eusèbe, Évian-Les-Bains, Ville-En-Sallaz, Cordon, Mégevette

For the main travel overview: Haute-Savoie.