Belleville is a small town in the heart of the Beaujolais countryside, in the Rhone department of 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.
The pharmacy 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 was built in the 11th century and you can discover a particularly nice interior with tall, narrow arches and a ceiling that is is painted a lovely midnight blue. Outside it has an attractive square bell-tower.
Belleville is regularly on the route of the Paris-Nice bike ride route this is a particularly good time to visit the town.
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.
Attractions nearby
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.
You can find more travel ideas in the Rhone guide and the Rhone-Alpes guide.
Photos of Belleville
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Map of Belleville and places nearby
Visit near Belleville with France This Way reviews
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Trevoux guide
Anse
The quiet town of Anse retains some Roman remains that hint at its importance 2000 years ago
Anse guide
Solutre-Pouilly
Solutré-Pouilly would perhaps go unnoticed except for the great rock-cliff behind the village that is listed among one of just 30 'Grand Sites of France'
Solutre-Pouilly guide
Theize
The quiet village of Theizé makes a pleasant detour when exploring the Beaujolais wine region
Theize guide
Oingt
Completely renovated in recent years, Oingt is one of the prettiest villages in the Beaujolais wine region
Oingt guide
Macon
After exploring the pleasant town of Macon we suggest a visit to nearby Lamartine's Castle
Macon guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Rhone
Address: Belleville, Villefranche-sur-Saône, Rhone-Alpes, 69220, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 46.1094, longitude 4.75
Plan your visit to Belleville, Rhone
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Parc du château de Laye: remarkable garden (6 km)
- Chatillon-sur-Chalaronne: recommended detour (16 km)
- Jardins du Château de Saint-Bernard: remarkable garden (19 km)
- Trevoux: recommended detour (19 km)
- Roche de Solutré: site of natural beauty (21 km)
- Roche de Solutre / Roche de Vergisson: grand site of france (21 km)
- Macon: ville fleurie 4* (22 km)
- Oingt: most beautiful village (22 km)
- Vonnas: ville fleurie 4* (22 km)
- Chapelle aux Moines (Berze-la-Ville): religious monument (27 km)
- Le jardin de Zéphyr: remarkable garden (33 km)
- Eglise de Saint Blaise (Mazille): religious monument (34 km)
Market days in Belleville, France
Regular market(s) are held in Belleville each Tuesday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Belleville (Francais)