Belvès, former commune in Dordogne, France
Belvès is a small village perched on a hilltop overlooking a wooded valley below. The settlement features narrow winding streets lined with ancient stone buildings, a central covered market hall with underground rooms built into the slope, and seven bell towers rising from different points throughout the town.
Belvès served as a medieval stronghold with protective walls and towers to defend against attacks. Despite invasions and conflicts that affected the surrounding region, the town preserved much of its built heritage through the centuries.
The town carries the name of the seven bell towers that shape its skyline, each one marking a different part of the community. The weekly market in the central square has connected locals and visitors for generations, creating a gathering space that still pulses with the rhythm of traditional commerce.
The village is best explored on foot, though the narrow streets slope upward at times and require walking at a gentle pace. The central market hall and underground rooms are straightforward to visit, and the weekly market takes place on Saturdays, offering a chance to see local life in action.
Beneath the central market hall lie underground rooms carved into the hillside that once housed poor residents and travelers in medieval times. These compact spaces reveal how people adapted to living closely within the landscape and used natural stone chambers for shelter.
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