You are here: Visit France Regions of France Rhone-AlpesRhone > Belleville

Belleville

Car Hire

Hotels

Visit Belleville (Rhone-Alpes, France)

Belleville is a small town in the heart of the Beaujolais countryside. It is in the Rhone department in the Rhone Alpes region.

Exploring Belleville

Belleville is not a tourist town but it does have two interesting monuments if you are holidaying nearby.

The Hotel Dieu in Belleville opened its doors in 1743 to 14 poor patients and grew gradually over the years. It ceased functioning as a hospital in 1991. It has been beautifully preserved and its pharmacy in particular is well worth a visit. It has beautiful glass fronted cabinets filled with earthenware, porcelain and glass jars which were used to store medicines, herbes and remedies. Its three wards are lined on each side by beautifull wooden beds, each with a curtain for privacy.

The church of Notre-Dame in Belleville has a particularly nice interior with tall, narrow arches and the ceiling is painted a lovely midnight blue. Outside it has an attractive square bell-tower. It was built in the 11th century.

Belleville is regularly on the route of the Paris-Nice bike ride route this is a particularly good time to visit the town.

Places Nearby

Belleville The Chateau de Corcelles-en-Beaujolais is nearby and offers wine tasting as well as visits. The chateau began life as a 'Maison Forte' (strong house) in the 11th century and was extended in the 15th century. It has a drawbridge, donjon and Renaissance style galleries as well as a French-style garden surrounded by vinyards.

The Hameau Duboeuf is a popular day trip for residents of nearby Lyon. It is a park dedicated to wine and a visit warrents at least half a day to see all it has to offer. The park covers 30,000 square meters and is also themed on railways. It is sited next to a railway line which has a steam train sat outside for you to admire and the reception area has been designed to resemble an old-fashioned railway station. Inside there is also the imperial carriage used by Napoleon III. Travel around the park is on a 'petit train' a small road train which is particularly enjoyed by children.

However wine is the main object of the park and you get to visit a winery and see how the local Beaujolais wine is made.

There is also a garden to visit, miniature golf, a range of cafés and restaurants and of course a tasting room and a shop where you can buy some of the delicious beaujolais wine.