Belley ( Arpitan: Bèlê) is a subprefecture of the Ain department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France. It is the capital of the historical region of Bugey, although not its largest city, which is Oyonnax, to the north. In 2020, the commune had a population of 9,207.

History

Belley is of Roman origin; in the 5th century it became an episcopal see. It was the capital of the province of Bugey, which was a dependency of Savoy till 1601, when it was ceded to France. In 1385 the town was almost entirely destroyed by an act of arson, but was sequentially rebuilt by the dukes of Savoy, who surrounded it with ramparts of which little is left. Belley was the birthplace of the epicure Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin.

Ecclesiastical history

Belley was the seat of the Bishop of Belley and is the location of Belley Cathedral. Belley is the home region of St Peter Chanel, the famous 19th-century Marist missionary martyr and protomartyr of Oceania.

Demographics

Climate

Belley features an oceanic climate (Cfb) but with strong continental influences due to its far inland position and its proximity to the Jura mountains under the Köppen system. Both temperatures above 30 C and air frosts are common.

Economy

The town is famed for its cheese, la Tome de Belley, also known as Chevret or still "Le pavé d'Affinois". It is also at the centre of the Bugey wine region. It is also home to a sizeable Volvo production unit producing compact excavators, Comatel and Ciat.

Personalities