Bellenaves is a town in the Allier, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, 40 km west of Vichy. At the gates of the Colettes forest, the most beautiful beech grove in Europe, Bellenaves is full of hiking trails and mountain biking circuits. Discover its castle of medieval origin, the Romanesque church of Saint-Martin renowned for its sculpted tympanum, and the unmissable automobile museum.
Location:
The village is located in Val de Sioule, on the first "northern" foothills of the Massif Central, at the confluence of the natural terroirs of the Combrailles and the plain of Limagne, a favorable strategic position exchanges which allowed it to develop.
History:
The establishment of a priory in the 12th century dependent on the Benedictine abbey of Menat, ensured the growth of Bellenaves, which became a prosperous seigneury erected as a marquisate in the 18th century.
If viticulture has disappeared, the activity has remained essentially agricultural and artisanal, Bellenaves having paid a heavy price for the rural exodus (more than 2,500 inhabitants during the 19th century, a little more than a thousand now).
Its heritage, its natural environment and its cultural and associative dynamism make it a very popular stopover in Auvergne.
Bellenaves culminates at nearly 550 m, to the west in the Colettes forest. It flirts to the east with the Sioule valley. An ideal setting where many hiking trails have been traced (including the GR Pays in Val de Sioule). 180 km of mountain bike circuits have been marked out, starting from the Vert Plateau. The Equi'Sioule equestrian circuit crosses the village and the forest, as does the Chemin de Saint-Martin.
Bellenaves has a quality built historical heritage, starting with the Saint-Martin church, which dates from the 11th and 12th centuries, resulting from the interweaving of two successive monuments where typical Romanesque influences of Auvergne or even Berry and Burgundy. The building has large proportions for what was a simple priory church, and we will notice in particular an exceptional tympanum which evokes the Last Supper and the washing of Christ's feet.
On the civil level, a detour is essential by the old seigniorial castle (simply said castle of Bellenaves). The fortified enclosure dating from the Middle Ages was remodeled in the 16th century in a Renaissance style and its defensive and military vocation gave way to a more comfortable residence. It should be noted that during the Second World War, stained glass windows from Notre-Dame de Paris were stored in the vaulted rooms of the castle. The property is private but it is permitted to visit the exterior surroundings of the castle, the old wall and the large entrance hall. Free admission. Open from July 1 to September 30, afternoons from Tuesday to Sunday.
A stay at Bellenaves will take you to the Automobile Museum, in the hamlet of Saint-Bonnet-de-Tizon. We discover a regularly renewed collection of 40 vehicles from the years 1910 to 1980. Each of them is placed in its context and constitutes for the visitors a journey in history. An adapted course is designed for children. Self-guided tour (or guided tour for groups by reservation). Price: 4 to 6 euros. Open from April to October. Contact: Automobile Museum: +33 4 70 58 39 73 or by email museebellenaves@gmail.com
Other leisure activities, on site, are available: a playground, a 2-hectare fishing pond, a tennis court and a multi-sports ground (free and open to all).
On the cultural level, exhibitions and sales are regularly presented at the tourist office or at the media library (information on +33 4 70 41 19 43).
Contact: Tourist Info Point: Tel. : +33 4 70 58 39 75.
Every Wednesday, in the center of the town, a well-stocked market allows you to discover the riches of the Auvergne region.
In summer, Bellenaves brings together hundreds of street vendors and professional junk dealers for a semi-nocturnal flea market.
In December, special "Christmas" exhibition at the Tourist Info Point.
The village of Charroux, classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, only 6 km. Medieval village, arts and crafts.
The Colettes forest: entrance to the forest at 4 km, tree climbing park (more than 1.15 m) at 9 km.
Ebreuil, Small city of character at 10 km: body of water for swimming in the river, tree climbing park for toddlers from 3 years old, canoeing, Saint-Léger abbey.
Chantelle: the La Bouble river and the abbey 6 km away.
Bike rental.
