Visit to the Chartreuse de La Verne

Nestled in the heart of the Massif des Maures, the Chartreuse de la Verne offers a respite of tranquillity, nature and a history stretching back a thousand years. To mark European Heritage Days, guided tours are available at a reduced rate on Saturday and free of charge on Sunday.

As part of the European Heritage Days, the Chartreuse de la Verne is opening its doors at a reduced rate on Saturday and free of charge on Sunday.


Nestled in the heart of the Maures mountains, enveloped by forest and silence, this monastery emerges like a well-kept secret. Perched on a rocky promontory, it seems timeless, almost unreal.


Founded in 1170 on the ruins of an ancient priory, it has always been known as Notre-Dame de la Verne. Its stones have withstood fire, looting, wars and the Revolution. Three fires in the Middle Ages reduced it to ashes. Each time, the monks rebuilt it. Until 1792, when, forced to flee, they left behind an empty sanctuary, sold as national property.



Nature then reclaimed its rights. The wind, the rain, oblivion… Until one day in 1968, when a handful of enthusiasts founded the association Les Amis de la Verne. A miracle took place: the rubble was cleared away, the vaults rebuilt, and the cloisters restored.


In 1986, around thirty nuns from the Bethlehem family breathed new life into the site’s spiritual vocation. Each lives as a hermit, in silence, prayer and work. Their presence transforms the Chartreuse into a place of profound peace, which one senses from the very first steps.



Today, part of the monastery is open to the public. Here, visitors can explore the porter’s lodge, the bakery, a monk’s cell, and the 12th-century Romanesque church – the only space shared by visitors and the nuns, in a spirit of mutual respect and silence.



Visiting La Verne is not merely a matter of sightseeing.
It is treating yourself to a moment suspended in time, a respite from the hustle and bustle.

It is hearing the murmur of the centuries, feeling the power of a place that has never ceased to be reborn.



• How do you visit the Chartreuse de la Verne?
You can explore the monastery at your own pace and independently. On arrival, you will be offered a visitor’s guide to help you along the route. This guide highlights the main areas open to the public and leads you through the monastery, following a set route, for a peaceful and enriching exploration. The visit should be conducted with respect for the silence and the monastic life that still thrives here.



• Access to the Chartreuse de la Verne

The Chartreuse is accessible via the Route de la Verne, a narrow, winding road that crosses the Massif des Maures. A free car park is located at the end of the road. Access to the site continues on foot along a dirt track of approximately 700 metres, with no change in elevation, taking about 10 minutes to walk.

Access is not recommended for vehicles weighing 3.5 tonnes and is prohibited for coaches.


• Parking for cars and minibuses

Limited number of parking spaces.

For cars: no parking space reservations.

For minibuses: parking spaces can be reserved by calling 04 94 43 48 28.


• Shop

The monastic craft shop is open during the same hours as the visitor centre and is closed every Sunday.


• Other practical information

Closed on days when the mountains are closed due to severe fire risk. Further information: https://www.risque-prevention-incendie.fr/83