Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The closed town of Bellême is an old fortified enclosure built in the 2nd quarter of the 11th century (circa 1027) under the impulse of Guillaume I Talvas, simultaneously at the castle. Designed to protect the medieval village, it would encase the city with ramparts, ditches and towers, some of which remain today, such as the tower of the Clock (11th century), of octagonal shape, and the Saint-Sauveur gate, restored in 1417 by the Count of Warwick. This door, characteristic of the 15th century with its two third-point towers, later became a salt attic in modern times (1582), illustrating the re-use of fortifications for civil purposes.

Existing remains include portions of ramparts integrated into houses, ditches and transformed defensive elements. The Saint-Sauveur Gate, which was listed as a historic monument in 1937, is now suffering from the corrosion caused by salt gnawing its stones. A restoration campaign was launched in the 21st century, including work on desalination (2014–2016) and the consolidation of structures, supported by local actors such as the association Bellême-Heritage (created in 2011) and the Heritage Foundation. These efforts aim to preserve an emblematic heritage of the Perche, often described as the "most beautiful porch of the Perche" by photographer Frédéric Chehu.

The enclosure of Bellême reflects the evolution of a medieval stronghold towards a commercial city, where fortifications continue as symbols of its history. Archaeological excavations conducted by Inrap in 2015 revealed three phases of construction (XIIth–XIVth centuries), confirming its military role before its conversion to civilian space. The Clock Tower, registered in 1989, and popular patronage operations (such as the donations of local traders) testify to the contemporary attachment to this threatened site, mixing collective memory and conservation issues.

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