Discover Belleville-Sur-Saône

For a trip to Belleville-Sur-Saône, history, local markets and outdoor activities take centre stage. The Abbatiale Notre-Dame reveals different phases of its architectural history; the Hôtel-Dieu and Maison de la Saône offer further insights into the area’s cultural heritage. Market and event days, as well as the Voie Verte, provide additional practical details to help you plan.

Abbatiale Notre-Dame: architectural history and planning your visit

Construction of the Abbatiale Notre-Dame began in 1168, and the church was consecrated in 1179. Its predominantly Romanesque character is combined with a choir raised in the Gothic style in the 15th century; the rose window, dated to 1175, also defines the building. The abbey church was classified as a Monument historique in 1862 and received the “Site clunisien” label in 2023.

Planning your visit is particularly important in 2026: due to interior renovation work, the church will remain closed throughout the year and will be open on Sundays exclusively for religious services. If you are travelling after 2026, check access information before your visit.

Markets and the Fête des Conscrits

Markets vary by day of the week and the goods on offer. The Tuesday market in Belleville has 40 food vendors and 60 vendors selling manufactured goods. On Saturdays, the market has around a dozen vendors selling food and other goods. The Tuesday market has more vendors than the Saturday market; vendor numbers may change.

Another event with a regular place in the annual calendar is the Fête des Conscrits in Belleville-en-Beaujolais. It takes place every year on the last weekend in February; the tradition dates back to the end of the 19th century. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the programme for the relevant date in advance. This makes it easier to distinguish a planned market visit from a stay centred around the festival.

Hôtel-Dieu and industrial history

The Hôtel-Dieu opened in 1733. Its preserved rooms and facilities include three hospital wards, two chapels, a pharmacy laboratory, a council chamber and archives. The Jardin de Simples comprises ten beds of plants once grown by the Sisters of Sainte-Marthe and arranged according to their traditional uses. The Hôtel-Dieu links its history as a hospital with the tradition of the Jardin de Simples.

The Maison de la Saône also connects its former use with today’s cultural offerings: the building was a pumping station operated by the PLM company; the association L’Atelier selon toi offers visual arts classes and creative writing workshops there. The former Roux factory reveals another aspect of the local heritage. Its complex includes a courtyard, offices, a workshop, two water boilers, a production steam engine and a chimney. The buildings have been undergoing restoration and enhancement since 2016.

Voie Verte and culinary activities

For outdoor pursuits, the Voie Verte du Beaujolais runs for more than 15 kilometres along the Ardières Valley between Belleville and Beaujeu. It is accessible on foot, by bicycle and on inline skates, as well as to people with reduced mobility; motor vehicles are not permitted. Check the current conditions on the Voie Verte before setting out. The route offers a different kind of stay from visiting the historic buildings.

In Belleville-en-Beaujolais, the “Oils and Treats” culinary workshop begins with a workshop featuring one or more products such as oils, vinegars or fruit powders. Participants can sample the dishes prepared during the workshop. As availability for this experience may vary, confirm it before your trip. Alongside the cultural offerings, markets and Voie Verte, this practical mix helps you choose the focus of your stay.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Georges-De-Reneins, Vénissieux, Saint-Didier-Sur-Beaujeu, Brignais, Ville-Sur-Jarnioux, Collonges-Au-Mont-d'Or, Neuville-Sur-Saône, Quincieux

For the regional travel overview: Rhône.