Like us on Facebook

MENU
Europe
France
Normandie
Orne
Alençon
Argentan
Bagnoles-de-l'Orne
Bellême
Camembert
Carrouges
Domfront
Flers
Mortagne-au-Perche
Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei
Sées
Things to do in Bellême


PLACE NAMES




Bellême

Bellême is a commune in the Orne department in northwestern France. The musicologist Guillaume André Villoteau (1759-1839) was born in Bellême, as was Aristide Boucicaut (1810-1877), owner of Le Bon Marché, the world's first department store. This town is possibly the origin of the English and French surname Bellamy.

At the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional du Perche, in the Orne Department, Bellême is on a hill that dominates the Perche area. The town is built around the crest of a natural bowl, in which sits an outdoor lido (swimming pool), moto-cross circuit, stables and an expansive 18-hole golf course with adjacent hotel and holiday apartments.

Sights include:
  • Church of Saint-Sauveur 15th century, 16th century, rebuilt between 1675 and 1710.
  • Crypt of the Saint-Santin Chapel, dating from the tenth century.
  • Château gatehouse 15th century, and moat.
  • Remains of the ramparts, bearing a plaque commemorating the capture of the château and the town by King Saint Louis and his mother, Blanche of Castile in 1229.
  • 17th century and eighteenth century houses.
  • 17th century Hôtel de ville.
  • Sundials on rue du Château, place de la République and place Liègeard.



leonedgaroldbury@yahoo.co.ukFeel free to Email me any additions or corrections


LINKS AVAILABLE TO YOUR SITE