A gentle seven-kilometre circular hike, a themed family trail in the forest and buildings of national importance offer several ways to explore Belfaux. Belfaux lies 4.5 kilometres west-northwest of the cantonal capital, Fribourg, on a terrace on the southern slope of the Sonnaz valley, in the molasse hill country of the Fribourg Plateau. The village is 585 metres above sea level; the highest point in the municipality reaches 700 metres. The municipality also includes the broad valley basin of the Sonnaz, the small valley of the Ruisseau du Tiguelet, wooded heights and the ForĂŞt cantonale.
Forest Trails and Getting There
The family trail dedicated to Nicholas of Flüe and Dorothée Wyss is in the forest of Belfaux and is intended for children and adults. It has five stations featuring texts, thought-provoking prompts and playful activities. The trail starts at the Parcours Vita car park near the Belfaux–Payerne/Avenches cantonal road and ends at the edge of the forest. Check local access conditions before your visit.
The circular route from Belfaux via Bois des Devins to Autafond and back is rated easy and is seven kilometres long. The route can be reached by public transport and by car. Belfaux is served by trains on the Fribourg–Murten–Neuchâtel and Fribourg–Payerne–Yverdon lines, as well as by bus routes from Fribourg towards Avenches. From the Château du bois stop on bus route 545, it is a five-minute walk to the Oratory of Brother Nicholas. Check current connections before travelling and trail conditions before setting out on the hike.
Chapels and Architectural History
The Chapel of Brother Nicholas is an open chapel. It was inaugurated on 15 August 1947, three months after the canonisation of the hermit of peace from Ranft. Check local opening arrangements before your visit.
The Manoir de Lanthen-Heidt, known as La Forge, is a monument of national importance. It is considered the oldest building in Belfaux; because a date on the lintel of one of its windows is partly illegible, it has provisionally been dated to the 16th century. La Forge was one of the few 16th-century buildings in the village built entirely of stone.
A church in Belfaux is documented as early as 1138. The present Neoclassical Church of Saint-Étienne was completely rebuilt between 1842 and 1852, dates from the 1850s and was designed by the architect Fidel Leimbacher. It was restored between 1983 and 1987. Saint-Étienne is a pilgrimage site and is listed as a monument of national importance.
BDmania in Belfaux
BDmania is a comics festival in Belfaux. The programme includes exhibitions and book signings with invited authors. Mussels and fries, as well as special beer and wine releases with original labels, are also part of the festival’s offerings. The specific programme may vary from one edition to the next.
Discover more destinations: Givisiez, Fribourg, Ependes Fr, Avry Fr, Treyvaux, Rossens, Le Glèbe, Le Mouret
For the main travel overview: La Sarine.
