Belley

Belley is a common French, located in the department of the Ain and the area the Rhone-Alps.

Geography

It was the capital of the old province of the Bugey.

History

Historical capital of Bugey (Pagus Belliceusis), Belley on several occasions changes kingdom during the first century of the Middle Ages.

At the end of the 10th century, the city belongs to the territories of the Holy roman Empire Romain Germanique.

In fact, as from the 11th century, it is especially under the dependence of the Counts de Savoie. The bishops play also a political role as lords of Belley. Anthelme de Chignin, bishop of Belley between 1163 and 1178, selected after its death like patron saint of the city, recognized prince of the Saint Worsens Romain by Frederic Barberousse, is opposed to the count Humbert III of Savoy.

In 1385, almost all the city is destroyed by a fire. Rebuilt a little later she is girded walls of stones covered with Lauze S.

Annexed first once between 1536 and 1559, Belley is definitively attached to the France under the reign of the king Henri IV, by the Traité of Lyon signed the January 17th, 1601. From now on, it depends on the Intendance of Burgundy and becomes the seat of a royal Bailliage.

At the 17th century, at the time of the catholic Counter-Reformation, four convents settle in Belley. The latter extends more and more out of its walls. At the 18th century, a college and a new hospital are built.

The French revolution upsets the city: the goods of the Church are confiscated, the bell-towers of the Cathédrale are demolished. The civil court replaces the bailliage. Under Napoleon 1st, Belley becomes Sous-préfecture, and in 1823, it becomes again episcopal see.

In 1874, the city takes a new face with the installation of a garrison, the 133e regiment of infantry of line. The military function remains important until in 1948, year after which remains nevertheless a squadron of anti-riot police.

Industry, as for it, becomes really outstanding only during second half of the 20th century. " Tanneur" (work of leather), " Pingon" (constructions of cranes) and " Cefilac" , hundreds of people employed during the Années 1960. After the crisis of the Years 1970, which knew the closing or the considerable reduction in employment in these companies, an industrial fabric more diversified was set up little by little. In addition, during the last half-century, the city developed much its school and hospital infrastructures in which work of many Belleysans.

List of the bishops of Belley-Ars

Administration

Belley is Chef-lieu of the Arrondissement of Belley, which gathers 9 cantons, 107 communes and 79 656 inhabitants.

Economy

This city is famous for its cheese: the tome cheese of Belley, also called Chevret.

the first private company of the commune in term of employment is " Volvo Compact Equipment" , an production unit of mini-shovels of the Swedish group Volvo.

the Distilling " Kario" organize visits with accompanying notes of its cellars with their old wood lightnings of oak in lequelles age liquors and marc, and of the room of the Alambic S.

Famous characters

Belley is birthplace of:

Sandrine Bailly, biathlète French.
Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, French gastronome, born on April 1st, 1755.
General baron Claude of Germany , alias Claude Dallemagne (1754-1813), major general, baron of the empire, vice-president of the Legislative Body, commander of the imperial order of the Legion of Honor, commander about the Iron Crown, knight of Saint Louis. It is him which builds the Dallemagne Hotel. Its name appears on the 26e column of the Triumphal arch of the Star in Paris.

Paul Anthelme, baron d' Allemagne , small son of the general (born in Belley in 1832 - died in 1923), officer of cavalry, Secret Chamberlain of His Holiness, the Large Cross about Gregoire Saint Large, Large Officer of the Orders of Magpie IX and Holy Sepulchre, Commander about New Year's Eve, owner of the castle of Talissieu, he lived also that of Montarfier.
Leon Dallemagne , brother of Paul, (born in Belley in 1837 - died in 1907) painter landscape designer of the Bresse and Bugey, raises of Viot and French, exposed to the Living room of Paris of 1865 to 1872. Some of these fabrics are with the museums of Borough in Bresse or Dijon.
Abel, baron d' Allemagne (alias Dallemagne), small son of the general, (born in Belley in 1830 - died in 1910), lawyer, Knight about Isabelle the Catholic (Spain), journalist with the Union, body legitimist. The baron of Germany and his beautiful brother, the Viscount of Mayol de Lupé were favorable to fusion between legitimists and orleanists
Baron André Dallemagne , wire of the baron Abel, mayor of Belley of 1925 to 1943, then honorary mayor. Author of a “History of Belley”. Member of the Company Bugey. Part of the garden of the Dallemagne Hotel bears its name.
Alphonse of Lamartine (1790-1869), poet, followed part of its studies in the city (in the catholic college/college private which bears its name)
Charles Million French Politician, born on November 12th, 1945. Mayor of Belley, 1977 to 2001, appointed of Ain.
Joseph Récamier (1774-1852), French doctor.
Anthelme, baron Richerand (1779-1840), French surgeon.
Benoit Prosper Sibuet, brigadier general of the 1 {{er}} Empire, born on June 9th, 1773, killed on August 29th, 1813 with Loewenberg in the torrent of the Bober by Russian balls. Its name appears on the 30e column of the Triumphal arch of the Star in Paris.

Tourist monuments and places

Cathedral Midsummer's Day Baptist of Belley
episcopal Palate allotted to Soufflot
Old Dallemagne Hotel, become Music school
Hotel of the States, current Savings bank of Belley

Events

Talks with Belley : day organized in homage to Anthelme Brillat-Savarin and which puts at the honor the products of the soil, the taste and the gastronomy with each year a different topic. Organized each 2nd Friday of October, these talks are a sharp success

Twinnings

The town of Belley does not have for the moment not a project of twinning.

References

External bond

Official site of the town of Belley
Site of the Community of Communes Belley Bas-Bugey
Weather forecasting for the town of Belley
List of all the restaurants with Belley
Tourist activities in and around Belley
Belley on the site of Quid

Random links:

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