Abbatiale Notre-Dame de Belleville-en-Beaujolais nominated for heritage prize

The Abbatiale Notre-Dame de Belleville-en-Beaujolais in the Rhône department has been selected to represent its area in the third edition of the Fondation du patrimoine’s Rhône-Alpes Public Prize. Between October 19 and October 31, 2026, the public will vote for their favorite heritage project among eight selected candidates. The top three projects will receive grants of €30,000, €20,000, and €10,000 respectively to support restoration efforts.

Following exterior restoration completed between 2014 and 2017, the project has moved to the interior phase. The estimated total cost for the five-phase restoration is €5 million. Current efforts focus on the first phase, involving the transept, to address issues such as degraded 19th-century wall paintings caused by humidity. Other planned works include consolidating plaster, cleaning floor tiles, altars, and stained glass, as well as restoring three paintings and upgrading heating, electricity, and sound systems.

Founded in the late 12th century by Humbert III, the abbey is a significant example of Romanesque architecture in the Beaujolais region.