The Carthusian monastery of Bonnefoy, Ardèche

The monastery was founded in 1156 by disciples of Saint Bruno, but has experienced many vicissitudes. Sacked by the "routiers" bandits and soldiers in 1459, ruined during the Wars of Religion in 1569, it was partially raised in the 17th century.

A large fire destroys all these efforts in 1653.

It was tirelessly rebuilt on the 18th century. But at the French Revolution, only 9 religious are still living there. They will be dispersed, and the building is sold as national property. It still remain an engraving of the monastery at that period (dated from 1818), showing that it was still looking great.

After 1840, the walls are demolished and the stones sold.

Today, it only remain the house of prior, the bell tower and the gate ..

The fish tanks and the pools have disappeared : they held an important place in the Carthusian religious life, because the Carthusians were not allowed to eat meat...