La Chartreuse du Liget is located in the municipality of Chemillé-sur-Indrois, in Indre-et-Loire, 12 km east of Loches.
This monastery of Carthusian was founded in the late twelfth century by King Henry II of England. According to the tradition of the order, it consists of a tall house (at Liget), a coffee house (site Corroirie on the same locality) and a chapel apart in forest loaches.
Despite the Hundred Years War and the Wars of Religion, the Charterhouse acquires great important in the Middle Ages, remains the only institution of the Carthusians in Touraine, then follows a period of relative decline.
In the early 1780 implemented a program of expansion and reconstruction of the upper house of Liget. The site has just started that revolution occurs. 1791, religious places and leave their belongings are scattered, including the library of nearly 7,000 works and many works of art. As for the buildings, they are sold or destroyed as national property.
In 1837, the remains of the monastery was acquired by Como-Edmond de Marsay. He undertook a working backup and recovery. Places are then protected as historical monuments. His descendants still own.
To date, in addition to the eighteenth-century portal, buildings and outbuildings dating from the reconstruction or earlier (remains of the seventeenth-century church, defensive wall and watchtower medieval, cloister remains) regained their shine.
The entire monastery (large and small house) remains private, but the area is open to the public. The site also includes lodgings and hosts receptions and events.
Open all year. Simple visit: 3 and 4 euros. Guided tour: 6 to 8 euros. Information at +33 2 47 92 60 02.
