The Saint-Aignan church in Bègues

Of the Celt Nozzle or Beg meaning “advanced rock point”, Bègues overhangs the valley of Sioule and communicates with it by passages located between two escarpments.
Many archaeological discoveries revealed the seniority of the site: a menhir, elements in a cave, the “cafrotte”, dug in the rock on the level of Sioule, also testify to a prehistoric occupation. Presence also of tumuli with bronze axes.
Later, the Gallic ones strengthened the place in oppidum. The site probably represented a advanced camp arverne facing Bituriges on other side of Sioule.
After the Roman conquest, the commercial function Stammerers was confirmed. The Roman way coming from Clermont passed by there, for proof the rerouvée military terminal, dating from the reign of Trajan (98-117).

The Saint-Aignan church of Bègues

The parish of Bègues belonged to the old diocese of Clermont, under the dependence of the abbot of Ebreuil.

Building of XIIème century, the Saint-Aignan church includes/understands a flanked Western nave of sides and a chorus made up of an apse and of two absidioles.

The déstructuré bedside testifies to the many rehandlings probably related to the heightening of the vaults. The large arcades in gothic arch are carried by rectangular piles. the nave, the sides and the transept are covered with broken cradles. The square bell-tower high on the transept crossing, goes certainly back to this period.

Inside, for the top of the Western door, it is necessary to notice the presence of a mural of the end of the Gothic time. The scene represents the Annunciation: the Virgin is surrounded by two angels, on the right Gabriel announces to him that it will put a child at the world. On the left, a giver is represented by a bishop (perhaps Saint-Aignan). The lower part of the composition was destroyed at the time of the restoration of the door.