Monk-eying Around

Monk-eying Around

The formula for the green, 110-proof liqueur Chartreuse is a secret, entrusted to three monks at the Chartreuse Distillery (10 blvd. Edgar Kofler. 04-76-05-81-77), located in Voiron, set 26 km (16 mi) west of St-Pierre-de-Chartreuse and 27 km (17 mi) northwest of Grenoble (making for a 20-minute bus ride from Grenoble). The liqueur was originally presented to the monastery in 1605 as a health elixir by Marshall d'Estrées and is known to use a combination of plants and herbs. You can visit the distillery and its museum here at the monastery founded by St. Bruno in 1084. Free tours (in French) are given June-September, daily 8:30 to 11:30 and 2 to 5:30. From October-May, tours are weekdays 8:30-11:30 and 2-5:30. Happily, tastings are always free.