Discover Beaumont

Beaumont brings together religious buildings from several centuries, a protected natural area and an annual festival held in November. If you are looking for a hotel, you can first plan your stay around your interests: churches and heritage, walking trails in the Châtaigneraie, or the Festival of Bees and the Environment. Timing may also play a role: the walking trails are accessible year-round, while the festival takes place in November.

Churches and history in Beaumont

The important Benedictine abbey of Beaumont was founded in the 7th century. Beaumont was its seat until the French Revolution. The parish church of Beaumont is also part of this history: it is a former Benedictine church dating from the 12th century. The Romanesque church of Notre-Dame de la Rivière dates from the 11th century and served as Beaumont’s parish church until 1934.

A statue called “Notre-Dame-de-la-Rivière” dates from the 14th century. It is kept in the Church of Saint-Pierre and is classified as movable cultural heritage. A gate and part of the walls remain from Beaumont’s fortified complex. These different traces stand side by side: a medieval statue, churches from several centuries, and structural remains of the fortifications.

The Church of Saint-Jean-Marie-Vianney offers a different perspective on religious architecture. It was built in 1961 and 1962 to serve the new parish in the expanding Vallières district. The design is attributed to architects Albéric Aubert (1895–1971) and Joseph Massota (1925–1989). As an important example of 20th-century religious architecture, the church contains 1,860 colored glass blocks. It is open daily year-round; check visiting options before your visit.

The Châtaigneraie: protected natural area and walking trails

The Châtaigneraie de Beaumont is designated an “Espace Naturel Sensible” (sensitive natural area) and is protected by the municipality of Beaumont and the département. The natural area is home to 195 recorded plant species, 55 species of day-flying butterflies, 38 bird species and 101 beetle species.

There are free walking trails through the undergrowth, accessible year-round. Another option is the “De la Tiretaine à la Châtaigneraie de Beaumont” route, which climbs up to the Châtaigneraie. The Châtaigneraie can be reached on the T2C network via line 8 and the Châtaigneraie stop. Check public transport information before setting off.

November festival and planning your stay

The Festival of Bees and the Environment takes place every year in November and has been running for around 30 years. It includes a honey fair and competitions for honey and gingerbread. Exact event dates vary. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the dates before making arrangements.

For exploring local heritage, the town of Beaumont makes seven books available free of charge at the town hall and the Maison des Beaumontois; they can also be downloaded. If you would like to use a book on site, check availability before your trip. Six downloadable themed maps offer six different ways to discover Beaumont. The books focus on local heritage, while the maps provide different thematic perspectives on the town.

When choosing your travel dates, the practical difference between the options is that the walking trails in the Châtaigneraie are accessible year-round, while the festival takes place in November and its exact dates vary.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Victor-La-Rivière, Saint-Ignat, Saint-Jacques-D'ambur, Olliergues, Mareugheol, Saint-Agoulin, Puy-Guillaume, Trémouille-Saint-Loup

Back to the regional travel overview: Puy-De-Dôme.