Bessuéjouls

The community Bessuéjouls with 251 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) is located in the French region of Midi -Pyrenees in the department of Aveyron. Its inhabitants call themselves Bessuéjolien. The town lies on the GR 65, which is largely the historical course of the French pilgrimage route " Via Podiensis " follows.

Geography and transport

Bessuéjouls is located in the Massif Central in a small left-hand tributary of the Lot between Espalion and Estaing. The next major French cities are Lyon (215 km) to the northeast, Toulouse ( 145 km) in the south-west, Bordeaux (265 km ) to the west and Montpellier ( 137 km) to the southeast.

The nearest airport is Rodez - Marcillac, which is served, including the Air France and Ryanair. About the D85 road it lies about 35 kilometers away. The nearest train station is also located in Rodez. By car you can reach the place by about 5 km from Espalion in a northwesterly direction over the D556 and D556e.

History

The name Bessuéjouls is probably of Celtic origin. The first written mention is made of the place as 1085 the canons of Pébrac transmit a sanctuary located there, the Bishop of Rodez. This is probably the present church of St-Pierre -de- Bessuéjouls.

Way of St. James ( Via Podiensis )

In Bessuéjouls there is only very limited accommodation options. The nearest major town on the Camino de Santiago is Estaing at the Lot. The actual trail passes just to the church of Saint -Pierre and then bends to the northwest from, without passing through the town center.

Attractions

• The church of Saint -Pierre is in the Romanesque style is built of the red sandstone of the region. The church houses really simple in her tower a special feature. The housed there Michaelis chapel can be reached by two narrow spiral staircases. Built in the Romanesque and pre-Romanesque style chapel contains an altar from the Carolingian period, the 9th century. The altar is decorated with Archangel Michael slaying the dragon and another angel with banner. The chapel is designed as arcades arches, the capitals are decorated with mythical creatures, angels and delicate Carolingian Flechtbandmustern.

Sources and further information