Bellefosse (French pronunciation: [bɛlfos] ⓘ; German: Schöngrund) is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Grand Est in northeastern France,[3] historically and culturally part of Alsace.

Geography

The village is located on a mountain terrace on the west slope of the Champ du Feu [fr] in the Bruche Valley [fr]. It is dominated by the ruins of the Château de la Roche towering above it.

Toponymy

  • 1434: Belfus
  • 1534: Belfuss
  • 1578: Belfos
  • 1584: Belfuß
  • 1782: Belfus
  • 1793: Bellefosse
  • 1915-1918: Schöngrund

Originating from the Celtic words bill (small) and fois (place).

History

Bellefosse is part of the old Ban de la Roche fief. The village's name was formalized as Belfus in 1434. It was composed of 25 houses in 1578, under the name of belfos then.

On 1 April 1974, it fused with Waldersbach and Belmont to form the commune of Ban-de-Roche, in reference to the historical fief, Fouday was added to the commune in 1975. On 1 January 1992, the commune of Bellefosse was reestablished.

Coat of arms

The heraldics of Bellefosse are blazoned: "Azure with one golden chevron followed by three silver cramps set in pale."[4]

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1968 109—    
1975 92−2.39%
1982 87−0.80%
1990 95+1.11%
1999 133+3.81%
2009 132−0.08%
2014 143+1.61%
2020 170+2.92%
Source: INSEE[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises (in French). 2 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021". The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ INSEE commune file
  4. ^ "67 026 - BELLEFOSSE (Bas Rhin)". L'Armorial des villes et villages de France (in French). Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  5. ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE