Champmol Religious Site

Address: Champmol (former charterhouse site), near Dijon, Bourgogne‑Franche‑Comté, France

Champmol is the historical site of the Chartreuse de Champmol, a Carthusian monastery and ducal foundation near Dijon in Burgundy established in the late 14th century. It was founded by Philip the Bold as a dynastic mausoleum and a centre for ducal artistic patronage.

The complex became notable for its high-quality sculpture and funerary monuments, including the famous sculptural group the Well of Moses by Claus Sluter, executed around the turn of the 15th century. Remains of the monastery and its artworks are important for the study of Burgundian art and medieval funerary practice.

Founded in 1383, the charterhouse served as the burial site for the Valois dukes of Burgundy and housed richly decorated cloisters and chapels. The monastery was suppressed during the French Revolution and many works were removed to local museums for preservation.

Champmol lies on the outskirts of Dijon in the Burgundy region of eastern France, and its surviving sculptures and related collections are principally displayed in Dijon museums and on the historic site.

• Founding year: Founded in 1383 by Duke Philip the Bold as a Carthusian charterhouse and ducal burial place, it became a major site of late-medieval Burgundian patronage.
• Major artwork: The sculptural program includes the Well of Moses by Claus Sluter, executed around 1395-1406 and influential in Northern European sculpture.

What to See#

• Chartreuse de Champmol: The former Carthusian monastery complex founded by Philip the Bold that served as the ducal burial site and monastic buildings dating from the late 14th century.
• Well of Moses: A monumental sculptural group by Claus Sluter, the Well of Moses dates from around 1395-1406 and originally formed part of the monastery’s cloister decoration.
• Ducal tombs: The ducal mausoleum and tomb sculptures commissioned by the Burgundian dukes, many of which survive in museum collections in Dijon.

Champmol’s remnants and the related art are in and around Dijon. Dijon is well served by TGV from Paris (about 1½-2 hours). Local buses and short taxi rides connect the city center with historic sites and museums.

• Visit the Musée des Beaux‑Arts in Dijon to see works originally from Champmol (Claus Sluter's sculptures are in Dijon).
• The former charterhouse site is now a historic enclave - look for the Well of Moses replicas and detailed medieval carving in local museum displays.
• Check opening times of Dijon's museums in advance if intending to view the original Champmol works.