The village of Bsharri

A favorite destination for Lebanese and a very large number of foreigners, the village of Bcharré is one of the most beautiful villages in Lebanon. In summer as in winter, this jewel hung between sky and earth which overlooks the Holy Valley of Qannoubine, constitutes an idyllic place of enchantment for its visitors who experience an incomparable serenity there.

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Bastion of the Maronite Christians, the village of Bcharré is perched at an altitude of 1,400 m on the borders of the Qadisha valley. The Cedars-Bécharré region was the birthplace of the Lebanese poet, Gibran Khalil Gibran, known for his book The Prophet.

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This village with a rather urban character stands out in particular for its exceptional natural environment. It currently has two UNESCO World Heritage sites: the ancient forest of the “Cedars of God” and the Holy Valley of Qadisha, a place of meditation and asceticism since the beginning of the Christian era.

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Bsharri is 110 km from Beirut. Before arriving there, the route leads to the meeting of welcoming villagers who live in villages of great beauty. These are essentially Hadath el-Jebbé and its forest of Cedars, the village with red tiles built on the cliffs of the Holy Valley with its many crypts of Saint Jude, Dimane summer seat of the Maronite patriarch, and the highest village in Lebanon, Baakafra which is also the native village of Saint Charbel.

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The major interest of the village of Bcharré is the possibility of organizing a hike along the valley, dotted with Maronite monasteries, some of which are still inhabited. The perfect opportunity to meet (with a bit of luck) Dario Escobar, a hermit of Colombian origin, who has lived in the valley for more than 15 years.

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Beyond religious and cultural tourism, Bcharré is also a village particularly appreciated for its high snow-capped mountains, suitable for skiing activities.

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Irreducible guardian of the Cedars, Bcharré (Bécharré) boasts a cool and dry climate, beneficial to trekking enthusiasts. The region offers developed trails, the hardest of which is that of Qornet el-Swada, the highest point in the Middle East (3,088 m). Les Cèdres is also an ideal course for cycling, camping, ATV and paragliding enthusiasts.

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On the heights of the village of Bcharré, one can also admire what remains of the Cedar forest, once exploited by the Phoenicians. Currently, there are about 375 specimens left, including 3,000-year-old species.

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Finally, a small detour is necessary in the famous locality of Oyoun Ourgoch. Located on the road that connects Bcharré to the Bekaa, about 20 minutes by car, Oyoun Ourgoch is an oasis where water tables reflect the rays of the sun and literally transport visitors to another world. These lakes are home to trout that delight gourmets and transform the region into a true paradise natural park.