Le Béage is one of the gateways to the Montagne Ardéchoise, located a few kms from the border with the Haute Loire. It overlooks and offers a magnificent view of the Veyradeyre valley.
Description
The name “Béage” dates only from 1790, when the village was erected as a commune. Béage would come from Bizadge-Bizadgis, the village with two paths: the one that connects Montpezat to Puy en Velay by Chabanis and that of Issarlès.
Surrounded by juices such as Montfol, or Taupernas, the town offers magnificent panoramas on the hiking trails. Its proximity to the Mézenc gives it privileged access to the Velay and the Auvergne region. To discover, in the footsteps of history: Le Chastelas, La Chartreuse de Bonnefoy.
The Chartreuse de Bonnefoy was founded in the second half of the XNUMXth century by Guillaume Jourdain, lord of Mézenc. Despite the limitations imposed on the extension of their domain, called "desert", the Carthusians quickly entered into competition with other monastic establishments in the sector: Cistercians from Aiguebelle at the Goudoulet barn, but also from Mazan, monks from La Chaise -Dieu at Sagnes, at Cros de Géorand…, Benedictines of the Monastier Saint Chaffre, Augustinians of the Priory of Charay at Les Estables,… These conflicts of interest were inevitable given the density of the monastic establishment in the sector.
The site is idyllic for the installation of a Charterhouse because these monks are particularly fond of high valley bottoms, such as the Veyradeyre valley. The Charterhouse of Bonnefoy will be rebuilt in 1728, there are still vestiges of it today. The remaining buildings do not date from the Middle Ages, but rather from the modern period, because the Charterhouse had to undergo many degradations and attacks during its history. The facade of the entrance pavilion, with its pure and classic lines, stands out clearly, the remains of the churches, with the square tower at the apse, but also the buildings where the cells of the Carthusians were located, and in particular that of the prior at the head of the community. Other remains are more difficult to find, such as the remains of the Lower house, where the lay brothers lived, religious in charge of manual work, or the imposing fishponds. A large part of the remains remains private and inhabited, so we strongly encourage you to respect the places and the tranquility of the residents who are kind enough to let tourists enjoy this heritage.
The Church of Béage, dedicated to Saint-Pierre, built in 1862 holds a repoussé and enamelled copper cross, coming from the chartreuse of Bonnefoy, a finger of Saint-François Régis and woodwork of Régis Breysse, child and shepherd of the country ).
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The Loire has its cradle at the foot of this astonishing natural belvedere 1551 m high. The ascent will allow you, after 30 minutes of climbing, to admire a 360° panorama. On a clear day, you will be able to see the whiteness of Mont Blanc.
Near Mont Gerbier de Jonc, the village is home to producers of charcuterie, cheese, honey, fruit and vegetables... An essential market for doing your local shopping.
Location