Le Béage

Le Béage is a commune with 284 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in Ardèche, in the Rhône -Alpes. The inhabitants are called Béageois and Béageoises.

Geography

The Municipality of Le Béage lies in the west of the département in the Massif Mézenc, a part of the Cévennes, and is one of the highest in the Ardèche. The municipal area is wooded for the most part, the highest point is located on the Suc de Montfol at 1602 meters altitude. The Lac d' Issarlès extending therefrom south. Neighboring municipalities are Estables Les and Lac d' Issarlès. The next largest town is Le Puy -en -Velay in 28 kilometers northwest. The river Gage crosses the municipality.

History

In the Middle Ages led through the village of Chemin du Pal, a connection route between the valley of the Rhone and Le Puy -en -Velay. There, more and more people settled over the years, so the population increased at the beginning of the modern era in 2400. Also the place name still shows the old function of the church. He comes from either the French term péage what toll does or the Occitan word Bizadge, which describes a village at a crossroads.

In the 10th century the feudal castle was occupied by the river Veyradeyre of the first lords of the place. This also participated in the First Crusade, but from which they never returned alive.

In the Middle Ages the place of the family Montlaur was administered. At that time, Le Béage was known especially for his monastery Chartreuse the Bonnefoy, which was built by the disciples of the Carthusian Saint- Bruno in the 12th century. During the wars of religion but it was almost completely looted. In the 18th century it was rebuilt at the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789, but again completely devastated.

Culture and sights

The Municipality of Le Béage thrives on tourism; especially in winter, many visitors come to operate in the mountains skiing or visit the countryside. On the high mountain pastures are still numerous cottas and of the leading past it ridge route has beautiful views of the mountain massif of the Cevennes and Mont Gerbier -de- Jonc, one of the most popular destinations for tourists in the department of Ardèche. Le Béage is part of the Regional Natural Park of Monts d' Ardèche.

In the National Forest of Bonnefoy you can visit the ruins of the old Carthusian monastery still, some complexes of buildings from the early 18th century are still in good condition. From 1345 meters high vantage point, also offers a beautiful view over the municipality. The church of Saint - Pierre in the center of the village is known for its silver painted tower and cross the ancient fountain in the village square.

The mountains Suc you Montfol and Taupernas are known for their varied fauna and flora. The extinct volcano Cherchemus houses quarries of pozzolana, which arose in the era Quaternary.