Meet Nicolas Carrier, Professor of Medieval History

Monks and Peasants of Chamonix in the Middle Ages

The Chamonix Valley often evokes images of wild, untouched nature. Yet, it has been inhabited, cultivated, and organized for millennia.
During this lecture at PlanB Living Chamonix, dive into the valley's medieval history to understand how monks and peasants shaped the landscapes we know today.

Between the 11th and 13th centuries, Benedictine monks from the Abbey of Saint-Michel-de-la-Cluse settled in Chamonix. They organized land clearing, managed alpine pastures, and encouraged the establishment of peasant communities. This period saw the birth of the valley's iconic villages and alpine pastures.

Drawing on exceptionally rich medieval archives, this lecture highlights a unique mountain society, marked by a fragile balance between monastic power and peasant freedoms, and the emergence of a local political life characteristic of alpine territories.

The lecture will be hosted by Nicolas Carrier, Professor of Medieval History at the University of Lyon 3 and a renowned specialist in alpine mountain societies.

Practical information:
📅 Monday, February 16, 2026
🕖 7:00 PM
⏳ Duration: approximately 1.5 hours
📍 PlanB Living Chamonix

A cultural event to better understand the history of Chamonix, its landscapes, and its communities, long before the rise of alpine tourism.