Beaulieu: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

In Beaulieu, traces of human presence stretch far back into the past: the town’s 56 dolmens attest to a period spanning from the late Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age, 4,000 to 5,000 years ago. The Dolmen du Bois des Roches is fully protected as a historic monument; it was classified on 18 April 1914. Some of Beaulieu’s dolmens are easy to see along marked hiking trails.

Culture

The Chapelle Saint-Régis aux Divols was built around 1850 by the family that also gave the hamlet its name. The Chapelle Notre-Dame des Sept Douleurs in Bonnemontesse was built around 1800 on the initiative of the Ressayre family. The first references to the Church of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption in Beaulieu and the presbytery attached to it date back at least to the 13th century.

Traditions

A pilgrimage and a rural feast traditionally take place at the Chapelle Saint-Régis aux Divols on 16 June. At the Chapelle Notre-Dame des Sept Douleurs, a pilgrimage followed by a neighbourhood meal is held on Good Friday.

Anyone planning a stay in Beaulieu may wish to rent a holiday apartment.

Getting Around

The sixth stage of the Grande Traversée de l’Ardèche VTT from Les Vans to Vallon-Pont-d’Arc passes through Beaulieu. The 34.6 km-long stage can be ridden every day all year round.

The circular route “Les dolmens – Les Divols – Beaulieu (No. 63A)” is suitable for families; along the way, the Dolmen des Divols and the Dolmen des Abrits can be seen. The circular route begins in Les Mourgues in Beaulieu.

Activities

The Bonnemontesse equestrian centre offers riding lessons for children aged 6 to 17 and for adults aged 18 and over. The Centre équestre et poney-club de Bonnemontesse in Beaulieu offers recreational and competitive riding with horses and ponies. The equestrian centre also organises multi-day trail rides lasting at least three days in the Monts d’Ardèche and the Cévennes.

Local Life

The public can buy products from La Ferme des Divols directly from the farm. La Ferme des Divols produces several goat’s milk cheeses, including Rouleau de Beaulieu, sarrietton, pyramide, bouchon and tomme. The farm also offers free tours, during which visitors can pet goats and get to know other farm animals.

Other places: Lespéron, Saint-Maurice-En-Chalencon, Mezilhac, Sampzon, Saint-Lager-Bressac, Laboule, Labastide-De-Virac, Thueyts

To the higher-level travel overview: Ardèche.