Its history is mingled with that of its Carthusian monastery which was founded in 1151 by a monk of Spanish origin, Jean d’Espagne, who had come from the Grande Chartreuse, near Grenoble. The Carthusian monks cleared this valley ,up to then home to wild animals.
They organised farming and pastoral life, surrounding themselves with skilful cheese-makers. In 1901 they had to leave Le Reposoir , but in 1933 the restored Carthusian monastery returned to its original vocation and became a Carmelite convent where about 20 Carmelite nuns now live. |
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Of its past Le Reposoir has succeeded in retaining its verdant setting, its farming activities and its legendary calm, beside an industrial busy and noisy Arve Valley. Possessing a rich and exceptional natural heritage well-known to the many hikers, the site of le Reposoir was chosen as early as 1987 for the reintroduction of the Bearded Vulture, a large bone-breaking vulture which had disappeared from the Alps since the beginning of the twentieth century.
Living in a cool oasis of calm, its inhabitants are very active. Although most of them work in the Arve Valley – about sixty people are employed in the village - its young population regain their villagers’ souls after work and animate the many associations that mark the rhythm of life here.
In winter the ski pistes, where the snow cover can now be completed artificially, transform the landscape and bring life to a village where it is good to live.
Access :
· On the Route des Grandes Alpes 7 Km from the Col de la
Colombière
· Scionzier exit on the A40 motorway
· Cluses Railway Station
Surface area : 3736 ha
Altitude
: 975 m – 2752 m
No of inhabitants
: 420 inhts
.
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