The convent of the Visitation Sainte-Marie-d'en-haut opened in 1621 to welcome cloistered nuns from the most prominent families of Grenoble. The order had been founded a few years earlier by the bishop of Geneva, Saint François de Salles.
Monastère de Sainte-Marie-d'en-Haut (ancien)
Credits
Le couvent de la Visitation Sainte-Marie-d'en-haut ouvre ses portes en 1621 pour accueillir des moniales cloîtrées, issues des plus grandes familles de Grenoble. L’ordre a été fondé quelques années auparavant par l’évêque de Genève, saint François de Salles.
Une vingtaine d’années plus tard, la chapelle reçoit l’essentiel du luxuriant décor baroque qui la recouvre intégralement. Murs et voûtes sont revêtus de peintures en trompe-l’œil suggérant des sculptures par leurs camaïeux de gris. Une série de scènes tirées de la vie de la Vierge semblent enchâssées comme de précieux ornements d’orfèvrerie. Le retable, très mouvementé, aux personnages peints « au naturel » dans un environnement de dorures bouillonnantes, attire irrésistiblement l’œil. Le maître-autel polychrome, composé d’une dizaine de marbres différents rehaussés d’or, est installé au XVIIIe siècle. Il masque en partie cet amoncellement de courbes rutilantes offert par les descendants de Lesdiguières. Les religieuses suivent les offices depuis le chœur voisin, très sobre et clos par une grille.
La Révolution bouleverse le destin du couvent. Il est tour à tour prison, pensionnat tenu par des religieuses, caserne, puis logement précaire d’immigrants italiens. En 1968, les bâtiments restaurés et réaménagés accueillent le Musée dauphinois. Bâtiments et jardins sont classés au titre des Monuments historiques.
Monastery of Sainte-Marie-d'en-Haut (former)
The convent of the Visitation Sainte-Marie-d'en-haut opened its doors in 1621 to welcome cloistered nuns from the most prominent families of Grenoble. The order had been founded a few years earlier by the bishop of Geneva, Saint François de Salles.
Some twenty years later, the chapel received the bulk of the lush Baroque decoration that covered it completely. Walls and vaults are covered with trompe-l'oeil paintings suggesting sculptures through their shades of gray. A series of scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary seem to be set like precious goldsmith's ornaments. The altarpiece, very eventful, with figures painted "au naturel" in an environment of bubbling gilding, irresistibly attracts the eye. The polychrome high altar, composed of a dozen different marbles enhanced with gold, was installed in the 18th century. It partly masks this pile of gleaming curves offered by the descendants of Lesdiguières. The nuns followed the services from the neighboring choir, very sober and closed by a gate.
The Revolution upset the fate of the convent. It was in turn a prison, a boarding school run by nuns, barracks, and then precarious housing for Italian immigrants. In 1968, the restored and refurbished buildings became home to the Musée dauphinois. The buildings and gardens are classified as historical monuments.
The convent of the Visitation Sainte-Marie-d'en-haut opened its doors in 1621 to welcome cloistered nuns from the most prominent families of Grenoble. The order had been founded a few years earlier by the bishop of Geneva, Saint François de Salles.
Some twenty years later, the chapel received the bulk of the lush Baroque decoration that covered it completely. Walls and vaults are covered with trompe-l'oeil paintings suggesting sculptures through their shades of gray. A series of scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary seem to be set like precious goldsmith's ornaments. The altarpiece, very eventful, with figures painted "au naturel" in an environment of bubbling gilding, irresistibly attracts the eye. The polychrome high altar, composed of a dozen different marbles enhanced with gold, was installed in the 18th century. It partly masks this pile of gleaming curves offered by the descendants of Lesdiguières. The nuns followed the services from the neighboring choir, very sober and closed by a gate.
The Revolution upset the fate of the convent. It was in turn a prison, a boarding school run by nuns, barracks, and then precarious housing for Italian immigrants. In 1968, the restored and refurbished buildings became home to the Musée dauphinois. The buildings and gardens are classified as historical monuments.
Grenoble : le couvent Sainte-Marie d’en-Haut fête ses 400 ans
Credits
Sur les pentes de la Bastille, le couvent Sainte-Marie d'en-Haut a célébré ses 400 ans ce week-end. Un anniversaire qui permet de mettre en lumière ce lieu chargé d’histoire, aujourd’hui très bien conservé.
Situé sur les hauteurs de Grenoble, le couvent Sainte-Marie d'en-Haut a fêté ses 400 ans ce week-end. Si le site a accueilli des religieuses jusqu'en 1904, il abrite aujourd'hui le musée dauphinois.
Un site chargé d’histoire
Pour en apprendre un peu plus sur l’histoire des lieux, il suffit de regarder les murs de la chapelle baroque. En levant les yeux, il est possible d’apercevoir une peinture illustrant la pause de la première pierre de l’édifice. Le tout, parfaitement conservé.
Ces représentations datent de 1662. À l'époque, la chapelle est entièrement recouverte de peintures murales, dans la perspective des fêtes qui doivent marquer la béatification de François de Sales.
Classé monument historique, le couvent est notamment connu pour son cloitre en parfait état. Pour les curieux, des visites guidées permettent de découvrir ou redécouvrir ces lieux chargés d'histoire.
Rendre le site plus accessible et attractif
À l'occasion du 400e anniversaire du couvent, le département lance un vaste projet de réaménagement des jardins extérieurs. Ces modifications visent à rendre accessible des lieux qui ne l'étaient pas encore.
D’autres activités devraient également bientôt voir le jour. À partir de l'été 2021, des jeux en plein air et un théâtre de verdure donneront un nouveau visage aux jardins du musée.
Grenoble: the convent of Sainte-Marie d'en-Haut celebrates its 400th anniversary
On the slopes of the Bastille, the convent Sainte-Marie d'en-Haut celebrated its 400th anniversary this weekend. An anniversary which allows to put in light this place full of history, today very well preserved.
Located on the heights of Grenoble, the convent Sainte-Marie d'en-Haut celebrated its 400 years this weekend. If the site has hosted nuns until 1904, it now houses the Musée Dauphinois.
A site full of history
To learn a little more about the history of the place, you just have to look at the walls of the baroque chapel. If you look up, you can see a painting illustrating the laying of the first stone of the building. All perfectly preserved.
These representations date back to 1662. At that time, the chapel was entirely covered with murals, in anticipation of the celebrations that were to mark the beatification of François de Sales.
Classified as a historical monument, the convent is known for its cloister in perfect condition. For those who are curious, guided tours allow them to discover or rediscover these places full of history.
Making the site more accessible and attractive
On the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the convent, the department is launching a vast project to redevelop the exterior gardens. These modifications are intended to make the site more accessible.
Other activities are also planned for the near future. Beginning in the summer of 2021, outdoor games and an outdoor theater will give the museum's gardens a new look.