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Villa Périgord
Saint-Vincent-de-Cosse · 11 km away
A great base for river days, castles and Sarlat.
View propertyHilltop village · Périgord Noir
Belvès
A hilltop village of towers and medieval lanes, listed among the most beautiful villages of France.
Belvès stands on a spur of rock above the valley of the Nauze, in the south-west of the Périgord Noir. Seen from the road below, its towers and roofs rise in a single line along the ridge, which is why it is often called the village of seven bell towers.
It is listed among Les Plus Beaux Villages de France and has kept much of its medieval layout, but it remains a lived-in village with a busy weekly market. It is quieter than the villages on the Dordogne itself, which is a large part of its appeal.
Where to stay- Area
- Périgord Noir
- Best known for
- Hilltop village, troglodyte dwellings, medieval market hall
- Market day
- Saturday morning (check seasonal changes)
- Time to allow
- Two to three hours
- Combine with
- Monpazier, Château des Milandes, Saint-Cyprien
- Label
- Les Plus Beaux Villages de France
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Where to stay near Belvès
Prototype propertyLa Liberté Studio
Sarlat-la-Canéda · 21 km away
Watch the Sarlat market from your window.
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What to see
The village is compact and a loop of the upper streets takes around an hour, more if you stop to look at the views over the valley.
- The market hall
- A medieval covered hall on the main square, with its timber frame on stone pillars.
- Troglodyte dwellings
- Cave houses beneath the square, seen on a guided visit.
- Church of Notre-Dame
- The former priory church at the foot of the old village.
- The towers
- The towers that give Belvès its skyline, seen best from the lanes and the valley.
- Viewpoints
- Several points along the ridge look out over the Nauze valley and the forest beyond.
The village on the hill
The old village grew inside a fortified enclosure on top of the spur, with towers and gates guarding the approaches. Walking through it you pass medieval houses, Renaissance windows and towers that once belonged to noble families and the old castle.
The name of seven bell towers refers to the towers that rise above the roofline, not all of which belong to churches. Together they give Belvès its distinctive outline from the valley.
The troglodyte dwellings
Beneath the main square lie cave dwellings cut into the rock, where some of the poorest inhabitants of the village lived in the Middle Ages. They were rediscovered and opened to visitors, and they give a very different picture of village life from the stone houses above.
Visits are guided and run in season. Check current times and booking arrangements with the tourist office before you travel.
Market day and food
Belvès has a weekly market, traditionally on Saturday morning, which fills the square around the market hall with local producers. In summer there are often evening events too. Check the current calendar before you plan around them.
There are cafés and restaurants in the village, and the market is a good place to stock up on local cheese, walnuts and fruit.
Planning your visit
The old village is on a hill and some lanes are steep. Cars are generally left at the edge of the centre. Check current parking arrangements before you travel, particularly on market day.
Belvès is busiest on Saturday mornings in summer and quietest on weekday mornings and in the evening.
What to combine with Belvès
Monpazier, the best-preserved bastide in the Périgord, is a short drive to the south-west. To the east, the Château des Milandes and the castles of the Dordogne Valley are within easy reach.
Saint-Cyprien, with its abbey church and Sunday market, lies to the north, and the surrounding Bessède forest is good country for walking and cycling.
Bastide town · Périgord Pourpre
Monpazier
A planned medieval bastide founded in the 13th century, laid out on a grid around an arcaded square.
Château · Dordogne Valley
Château des Milandes
A Renaissance château that was home to Joséphine Baker, with gardens and a falconry display.
Town · Périgord Noir
Saint-Cyprien
Saint-Cyprien is a working market town in the Périgord Noir, with a hillside old centre, a substantial abbey church and a Sunday market. It makes a practical base between the Dordogne valley castles and the prehistoric sites around Les Eyzies.
Questions about Belvès
Is Belvès worth visiting?
Yes. It is one of the most beautiful hilltop villages in the Périgord and much quieter than the villages on the Dordogne.
Why is Belvès called the village of seven bell towers?
The name refers to the towers that rise above its roofline along the ridge, not all of which are church towers.
Can you visit the troglodyte dwellings in Belvès?
Yes, on guided visits in season. Check current times with the tourist office.
What day is the market in Belvès?
The weekly market is traditionally on Saturday morning. Check the current calendar before you travel.
What is near Belvès?
Monpazier, the Château des Milandes, Saint-Cyprien and the castles of the Dordogne Valley are all within easy reach.
Opening times, prices and parking change. Check before you travel: Dordogne Périgord tourism, Les Plus Beaux Villages de France.