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 Chartreuse (Charterhouse) de Mélan - This place is more than a group of buildings that unveils itself; it's a whole environment. It has close to ten centuries of history that started in 1285, to be precise, when Béatrix de Faucigny decided to build a convent for nuns in order to shelter her and her son's sepulture. Over the next thousand years, the building was transformed, then abandoned by its occupants during the French Revolution, and then transformed again, into a school. It was finally destroyed by a fire in the middle of the 20th century.
What remains today is a 13th century church, a 15th century convent, and a farm. Restored, this collection of buildings is among the most beautiful settings for exhibitions and concerts, as the acoustics are exceptional. The property extends into a park scattered with contemporary sculptures. No particular themes were imposed on the artists who exhibit their work here, but they still have one restriction: to take account of the archeological remnants, medieval architecture and landscape as a whole.
Each year brings a new creation. 2007 will be Orange, an implied reference by the Parisian artist Christophe Cuzin to a commercial slogan that he is re-appropriating and making a work of art in situ. Playing with the perception of space, he alters the floor with arched raises on the walls and extensions in the minor chapels. A fusion of painting with light and 13th century architecture, the Charterhouse radiates with this colourful intervention.
Park of sculptures has free access during the summer. Chartreuse de Mélan, 74440 Taninges. Autoroute A40 - Exit Scionzier-Cluses, in the direction of Taninges. More information, see here
And Taninges is also a market place surrounded by little jewels:
The Sainte-Anne Chapel on the banks of the Foron - with its strange flattened belfry which isn't supposed to resemble Russian church towers.
Rue des Arcades Street - bordered on one side with bourgeois residences and their gardens, and on the other side by houses decorated with 18th and 19th century porticos.
Saint Jean-Baptiste Church - in neo-Classic style, built during the Sardinian Revolution in Savoie. The trompe l'oeil paintings and 40-stop organ is worth the detour. Free concert one Sunday a month.
The Taninges Carillon - in the church's tower, 127 steps lead to the concert hall. The climb is well worth the effort: the row of 40 bells is an incredible sight. Watch and listen to concerts by all types of artists.
Every Thursday during Market time from 10:30am onwards, listen to the merry ringing of the carillon. Every Tuesday at 6pm, you can discover the museum, church tower and harmonium. Slideshow, concert and guided walk through the room with 43 bells.
In August: Thursday 2nd - 9pm: Concert by a Belgian bell ringer. Saturday 4th - 9pm: Discover the harmonium. Slideshow, conference, concert. From Sunday 5th to Wednesday 8th: Festival of Eastern and African Legends. Festival Opening: Sunday 5th at 6pm. Every evening at 9pm: Legends.
Program of concerts at the Mélan Charterhouse and Carillon available at the Taninges Tourism Office: +33 (0)4 50 34 25 05. www.taninges.com
Photo: Réseau Touristique du Genevois Haut-Savoyard
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