A proper long-range Tesla trip: a silent monastery that gave the world a 130-herb liqueur, the highest summit in the range, and a village that's basically the spiritual home of French trail running. One planned charging stop each way.
Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse (45.33°N, 5.79°E, pop. ~850, elevation ~885m) is the obvious base: it sits inside the Parc Naturel Régional de Chartreuse, 2km from the Grande Chartreuse monastery, and is the trailhead village for Chamechaude — the highest point in the massif at 2,082m. It's also the unlikely global HQ of Raidlight, the trail-running gear brand founded and still based here, and the finish line of the long-running Grand Duc Ultra Trail de Chartreuse (born as the "Tour pédestre de Chartreuse" in the 1980s, renamed in 1995). This is not a park you drive through — it's one you hike, run and taste your way across.
Meudon-la-Forêt → Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse is roughly 590 km (Paris → Voreppe alone is ~563km via A6/A43/A48, plus ~26km up into the massif from Voreppe), around 6–6.5 hours driving. That's beyond the Model Y Premium's realistic ~330–370 km range on this pack's health, so plan on one Supercharger stop en route — the Bernin/Grenoble site is the natural choice, sitting right at the edge of the massif before the final climb in.
Long driving day, split by a Supercharger stop roughly halfway (Mâcon area) and a top-up at Bernin (Grenoble Supercharger) before the final climb into the massif. Arrive late afternoon, set up camp, short evening walk to get oriented.
The monastery itself is off-limits — the Carthusian monks live in strict silence and prayer, and the order does not admit visitors. What you can visit is the Musée de la Grande Chartreuse, housed 2km away at La Correrie, the monks' historic lower house. Full price €10, reduced €7, child €4.50, family ticket €22.50 (open daily 10:00–12:30 & 14:00–18:30 in summer). Afterwards, drive ~30 minutes to Voiron for the Caves de la Chartreuse — a 2,500m² site with a 3D history film, the alembic distillation hall, cellar tour, and a tasting of the green and yellow liqueurs at the end (free guided visits at set times, or paid private tours; booking recommended, capped at 19 people per group).
The big day: Chamechaude (2,082m), the highest peak in the Chartreuse range, usually climbed from the Col de Porte (1,326m), about 20 minutes' drive from Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse. The trail is straightforward until the final push, which is cabled/secured scrambling on exposed rock — take it seriously in wet weather. From the summit: a 360° panorama from Mont Blanc to the Vercors. This same terrain (plus neighbors Grand Som and Charmant Som) is the playground for the Grand Duc Ultra Trail and the reason Raidlight set up shop in the village — if you run, even a short loop here explains why.
Legs recovering: an easy valley walk or a bike ride on the quieter D-roads around the Guiers gorge, then the long drive home with the same charging pattern in reverse.
The valley roads around Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse and down toward the Guiers gorges are quiet D-roads good for an easy recovery ride — steep enough elsewhere in the massif that this is a "cruise, don't climb" bike stop rather than a riding-focused trip. Bike loaded inside per the Car Camping & Bike Guide; save the legs for Chamechaude.
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tolls (A6/A43/A48, round trip) | ≈ €55–70 |
| Charging (2 Supercharger stops round trip) | ≈ €35–50 |
| Lodging (Camping de Martinière, 3 nights) | ≈ €40–70 |
| Musée de la Grande Chartreuse entry | ≈ €10 |
| Caves de la Chartreuse visit (free guided slot) | €0 |
| Chartreuse liqueur bottle (treat) | ≈ €25–35 |
| Food (mostly self-cooked + one restaurant meal) | ≈ €35–45 |
| Total | €140–210 |