Belley can be explored through a wide range of themes: sacred art, urban history, a memorial site, green spaces, hiking and gastronomy. These come to life in specific details—from the wall paintings in Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste to the practice trenches of the Parcours mémoriel. When planning a visit, you can choose between cultural sightseeing, a stay surrounded by greenery and a longer hike.
Cathedral and historic sites
At Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste, visitors can see the north portal, an 18th-century statue of the Virgin Mary and the reliquary of Saint Anthelme. There are also recently restored 19th-century wall paintings. The cathedral is open daily. Its furnishings bring together artworks and historical records from several centuries in one place.
A guided tour of the historic center is another way to discover Belley from a cultural perspective. The tour can include Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Palais épiscopal and Place des Terreaux. Another specific detail of the city’s history is Hôtel Brillat Savarin at 62 Grande rue. It is partially listed as a historic monument. The listing, dated November 15, 1926, applies to the galleries with two arcades, not to the entire building.
The Parcours mémoriel dédié aux Poilus du 133e RI offers a different historical perspective. Visitors can see practice trenches and a firing position there. Both were used to train soldiers of the 133e RI from Belley before the First World War. The site focuses on military training before the war, while the cathedral and old town tell other chapters of the city’s history.
Green spaces and trails in ForĂŞt de Rothonne
Parc Jean-Pierre Camus combines a formal French garden with a romantic area that includes a small woodland. From there, visitors can enjoy a view over the rooftops of the old town. The park also has a children’s playground. Its different areas make it a place to enjoy gardens, views across the rooftops and a play area all in one visit.
ForĂŞt de Rothonne offers opportunities for exercise and spending time outdoors. Along a one-kilometer stretch, seven wooden exercise stations for playful sports activities are accessible to people with reduced mobility. Accessible picnic tables and an arboretum adapted for people with special needs are also available. Those planning a hike can also take an easy circular route starting in Belley: it is 8.9 kilometers long, takes about two hours and is accessible free of charge year-round. The loop offers a clearly specified route and estimated duration; the exercise stations, picnic tables and arboretum are additional facilities in the forest.
Gastronomy with a regional focus
Les Épicuriennes is an annual, four-day gastronomy festival in Belley. The program includes a market featuring regional producers, demonstrations by chefs and other professionals, a large buffet and workshops. Competitions for amateurs and young apprentices round out the program. The festival combines a focus on regional produce with demonstrations and hands-on activities. It offers a particular reason to include gastronomy in your trip; specific event dates are not provided here.
Whether your focus is culture, an outing in nature or regional gastronomy, Belley has something for different interests. If you want to include several activities, you can consider the historic sights, park and forest activities, and annual festival as different parts of your stay.
Discover more destinations: Mijoux, Corbonod, Saint-Étienne-sur-Reyssouze, Chanoz-Châtenay, Prévessin-Moëns, Massignieu-De-Rives, Chaneins, Sermoyer.
For an overview of the wider area: Ain.
