Bellême’s Ville Close was surrounded by an enclosure nearly 800 metres long. Today, the town’s history also includes Romanesque and Neoclassical buildings, a Thursday market and hiking trails with different features. This allows you to plan a visit around culture, the market and the countryside.
Fortification remains in the Ville Close
The Ville Close was a fortified site. Part of the former moat remains; the Porche de Bellême, a passage between two towers of the Ville Close, has also survived. The enclosure, moat and Porche point to different elements of the site: its perimeter of nearly 800 metres, a surviving section of the moat and a passage between towers. These features help place the Ville Close in context beyond its name alone.
Chapel and church: two building histories
The Chapelle Notre-Dame du Vieux Château, also known as Saint-Santin, is considered the oldest Romanesque building in the Perche. It is privately owned and can be visited by appointment only. Arrange a visit with the local tourist office before your trip.
The Neoclassical church of Saint-Sauveur was rebuilt from 1648 onwards on the foundations of an earlier Romanesque building dating from the 11th century. This older building had been erected by the first lords of Bellême. Saint-Sauveur is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except during services; check opening hours before your visit. The chapel and church thus have different building histories and also differ in their visiting requirements: the chapel requires an appointment, while services should be taken into account when visiting the church.
Thursday market and Place de la République
The Thursday market has been held for several centuries near the church of Saint-Sauveur. Bellême’s weekly market takes place every Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Place de la République. Check the market times before travelling. The La Herse walking trail also starts from this same square: the market and trailhead give you two practical points to consider when planning, without requiring you to follow a fixed itinerary.
Hiking, views and other activities
La Herse is 10.5 kilometres long; check route details before setting out. The La Herse site in the Forêt de Bellême can be reached from Bellême via a hiking trail. Another option is L’Éperon, a designated walking route with panoramic views over the Perche countryside and the Forêt de Bellême. The length of La Herse and the views from L’Éperon offer two different points of reference: a measured distance or a route whose particular appeal lies in its panorama.
Bellême is located in the Parc Naturel Régional du Perche. Another viewpoint is the historic Croix Feue Reine site, which overlooks Bellême and the forest. For a different activity, the Golf de Bellême offers an 18-hole course. As the course layout may change, check the latest course details before making plans.
Discover more destinations: Cerisé, Ceaucé, Saint-Cornier-Des-Landes, Canapville, Saint-Denis-Sur-Huisne, Médavy, Saint-Léonard-des-Parcs, Moutiers-Au-Perche.
For the regional travel overview: Orne.
