- History of the town :
- The common Belleroche was mentioned for the first time in a deed of gift to the monastery of Cluny, an area located in a place called " Chapel near the Rock" a great owner called Richard Belleroche. The term " Chapelle de la Roche " means the early church of the town that was built on a rock. This church became a chapel when the castle was built around 1100 and served as a parish church until about the year 1562.
- Different names Belleroche : Before 1470, official documents (sale, purchase, donation.. ) were written primarily in Latin and little French. Thus the name of the town was written Roca Bella, Bella or Belle Rochi Rupes. In French it is in the form patois ( " Baleroche " ) found the name of the parish. We also find the name of the parish in old deeds and this until 1500 in the form of " Vayvères."
- Belleroche under the rule of the Lords of Beaujeu - Before 1000 - until about 1300: It is likely that Belleroche belonged to the lordship of Thizy before the year 1000. Following the wedding Guichard II, fourth lord of Beaujeu with Ricoaire, this one brought the lordships of Thizy and Amplepuis dowry. Humbert succeeded Guichard 2nd 2nd to 1080. In 1101, Guichard third succeeded his father and it was he who built north of Beaujeu line fortress for the protection of his castle and its properties Beaujeu views lords of Dun. These fortresses were built on common Propières, and Ouroux Belleroche. Around the year 1250, Hubert 5th lord of Beaujeu gave a dowry to his daughter for her wedding with Sibylle Aynard 4th of Poitiers, Count of Valentinois areas he had in the parish of Belleroche. The lords of Beaujeu had installed a Belleroche " Châtellenie." The " Chatelin " or Prevost was instructed to police, he was manager of the castle. Any more " Châtellenie " had a court and courts that existed until 1793. The Count lived Valencia and thus could not manage its field, this is probably the cause of the sale of the Barony of Belleroche to Guichard Marzé of around 1300.
- Belleroche under the domination of the Marzé family - around 1300 to 1573: The Lordship of Belleroche saw a succession of different members of the family Marzé. Guichard Marzé was the son of Hugues de Marzé, Lord of Alix, rich owner Beaujolais. First Guichard of the year 1300-1320 which was the first as Lord of Belleroche. Then his son Hugues 1 of about 1320-1354. The manor remained in the family until Marzé Théodre of Marzé that childless bequeathed all his property to his wife Jane Crussol. The death of this one is Mitte wife Jeanne Philibert Nagu who inherited her aunt ( circa 1573). Thus the lordship of Belleroche passed the Nagu -Varenne family.
- Belleroche under the domination of the Nagu -Varenne family - Period 1573 - 1770 : Jean Nagu, only son of Jane De Crusol inherited the lordship of Belleroche. The Lordship of Belleroche and went into the family until Charles Gabriel Nagu which to meet the expenses related to his life in Paris March 6, 1770 sold all his possessions to Pierre Giraud ; important court official currency of Lyon. Pierre Giraud died when the 1789 revolution broke out, his widow Frances de Nolhac who inherited his property emigrated in 1791. The property located Belleroche were auctioned in Roanne.
- Belleroche at the time of the revolution of 1789 : Beginning in 1789, each municipality had appointed delegates to attend the meetings which were held in the capital of the province and bring the claims of the people they represented. The specifications of grievance Belleroche request the removal of privileges of lords, tax relief and replacement of the tithe to the priests by a given treatment. End 1789, we divided France into departments, districts and townships. Belleroche was attached to the district of Roanne because the line of the watershed to pass Écharmeaux, just above the town. ( Belleroche waters are going in the Loire while those of Hen are going into the Rhone. ) The population of the town wanted to stay connect to the district of Villefranche. So they send a claim in 1790 in Lyon. Following the complaint, Belleroche was attached to the district of Macon and this for a period of two months. The people of the town who have no relation with the Mâcon make a new claim and Belleroche was linked again to the district of Roanne and the Township of Belmont. Beginning in 1790, the first municipality was organized in Belleroche, and was the first mayor Joseph Longin. The town of Belleroche and all towns and townships of Belmont Charlieu were incorporated 31 July 1793 the Department of Saone et Loire. But these towns remained there three and a half months and municipalities were again annexed by the department of the Loire. November 19, 1793, the Department of the Rhone and Loire is split into two and Belleroche is definitely attached to the department of the Loire.
- Coat of Belleroche : Golden lion in léopardée tail sable armed and langued Gules, a fess surmounted émanchée in top of tree two rooms and two half silver three parts Vert, the pieces money also charged with ermine sand on one another.
