Belves is a popular medieval town that sits high above the Nauze Valley in the Dordogne. It boasts 7 bell towers and although it endured invasions and wars, it has miraculously managed to preserve superb relics of its built heritage. Belves is a designated Le plus beaux villages de France” – beautiful village of France

History | Belves

Historians believe that the Celts first settle here in 250BC, due to its safe position high on a rocky spur it became a Roman market town. The Visigoths settled in the area after the downfall of the Roman empire and then after a brutal war the Franks. In 848 the town was destroyed by the Normans and Vikings who plundered many towns in their sweep across the country.

The town and most of the surrounding area was devastated in the 10th and 11th centuries by the plague which killed tens of thousands of people. After the marriage of Helen of Aquitaine to Henry Plantagenet the town came under English rule and the area was one of the major battlegrounds of the 100 years war and the town suffered much damaged, it also suffered greatly through the war of religions and for a time was held by the Protestants.

Things To See And Do In Belves

Belves was the capital of the region in the 18th century and now is a delightful town to visit with a typical bastide layout and centre.

In the centre of the town you can visit some troglodyte dwellings that date from around the 13th century. In the town you can also see the medieval belfry and walls, a 14th century castle, and the city hall.  Belves is famous as being the ‘town of seven bell towers’.

Covered Market
Dating from the 15th century view the pilori chain on one of the pillars of the market. This was put round the neck of wrong-doers and they were held there for two or three days.