Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Belloch, chapel located in Pyrénées-Orientales, in France
The Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Belloch is a small chapel in Romanesque style located in the village of Dorres, built starting in the 13th century. It features thick stone walls, small windows, a rounded choir vault, and a simple bell-gable above the south-facing entrance.
The chapel was built in the 13th century and first documented in written records around 1260. It underwent renovations and modifications over the centuries, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries, and was registered as a protected monument in 1980.
The chapel's name refers to its beautiful setting and location in the landscape. For many centuries, it served as a pilgrimage site for local residents and continues to be a place where people pause for quiet reflection.
The chapel sits southwest of Dorres at an elevated location and is accessible on foot from the village. Wearing proper footwear is recommended since the site sits on a hill and the paths can be uneven.
The name Belloch refers to the expansive views over the Cerdagne region with its mountains and fields visible from the chapel. The thick stone walls and small windows served dual purposes: structural strength and natural temperature regulation to keep interiors cool in summer and warm in winter.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
