Belvès-de-Castillon is a municipality of the Great Saint-Emilion Area and a part of the Canton of Coteaux de Dordogne. It is located at about 10 km from Saint-Emilion and 16 km from Libourne, its area is 661 hectres. Today the town has 333 inhabitants, and they are called Belvésiens and Belvésiennes.

A BIT OF HISTORY

Origin of the name

Belvès-de-Castillon takes its name from the contraction of Latin bellus visus or of Occitan Viso Bello, meaning "beautiful view". The ending "-de-Castillon" was added in 1913 and is referring to the neighboring town of Castillon-la-Bataille and distinguishing the town from the municipality of Belvès in the neighboring Dordogne area. In Gascon, the name of the city is Belvès-de-Castillon.

History

The territory of Belvès was part of the lordship of the Castegens founded in the 15th century by the powerful Grailly family. During the Revolution, the parish of Notre-Dame de Belvès formed the town we know today as Belvès.

Like the neighboring town, Castillon-la-Bataille, Belvès-de-Castillon is at the heart of events that marked the end of the Hundred Years War. It now participates in the big reenactment, which commemorates the battle of Castillon.

A NATURAL HERITAGE

The town is crossed by several rivers: the Lydoire, the Brande, the Rieuvert and the Aiguille.

VINEYARDS

This rural and wine-growing community is incorporated to the controlled appellation "Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux."

In 2015, the town of Belvès-de-Castillon got the label "Territoire Bio Engagé” (Organic committed Territory) awarded by Arbio Aquitain.

POINTS OF INTERESTS

The Castegens castle was built in the Middle Ages. It is a rectangular residential building covered with flat roof tiles. It is surrounded by a rectangular enclosure with angular towers, parts of which are now destroyed. During the Second Empire (mid 19th century), a winery was added to the castle. In recent years, the Castegens castle has become the fous point of the reenactment of the Battle of Castillon, the last battle of the Hundred Years War.

The Notre-Dame church was built in the 19th century, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, whose cult is widespread. The church is most certainly succeeded by an older building; the sobriety of its facade recalls Romanesque architecture. This church has a Merovingian capital listed as historical monument object.

The town hosts the biggest cultural show in Aquitaine: "The Battle of Castillon" in July and August the show evokes English Aquitaine and the ultimate battle at Castillon, between the Anglo-aquitaine forces and the French army of Charles VII at the Castegens Castle.