Château de Bagnols is one the finest 5-star deluxe chateau-hotel in France and is regarded by many as the finest vineyard chateau-hotel in the world. Discovered by Lady Hamlyn in 1987 in a derelict state, she painstakingly restored the Chateau with much energy and vision, to its former glory, revealing Renaissance wall and ceiling paintings created during the Chateau’s finest period, when nearby Lyon was one of Europe’s great Renaissance cities.
Dating from the 13th century, the Chateau is one of France’s major historic monuments, featuring impressive towers, the original dry moat, honey-coloured stone known as “pierres dorées” and a dramatic entrance across a drawbridge.
Château de Bagnols is set among vineyards, forests and green hills in the heart of the beautiful Beaujolais countryside in south-east France, just 17 miles from Lyon which has an international airport. A train from Paris or Geneva takes only two hours and the Alps ski slopes are at 90-minute driving distance only.
Sleeping in Renaissance style
The design of the breathtaking bedrooms is testimony to the exceptional talents of Lady Hamlyn in restoring the Chateau so fastidiously whilst creating the definitive luxury chateau-hotel.
The 21 bedrooms and suites that bear the names of those who have contributed to the Chateau’s distinguished past, such as the “Seigneurs d’Albon” or the “Guichard d’Oingt” rooms.
The restoration of many of these rooms has revealed the most remarkable Renaissance and 18th century wall and ceiling frescoes. The rooms, all with private bathrooms, many of which are located in the towers and therefore circular with arrow slit windows, have been furnished with exceptional care, using soft velvets and shimmering silks and complemented by rare and beautiful antiques. They also possess the very latest telecommunications system.
Several of the suites have their salons in a corner tower, some with sofas which can convert into an extra bed to make a family suite. The influence of Italian Renaissance decoration can be seen in the work of the 17th century painters, who included the most fashionable ideas in their decorative schemes: landscape panels, fanciful friezes and bold ceiling arabesques.
Gastronomy from the Château’s garden
Lyon is world famous for its cooking and food markets, and our Executive Chef, Matthieu Fontaine, is justly proud of his seductive restaurant menus, which offer a range of regional specialities, traditional spit-roasted meats and game, and inspired new dishes. Chef Fontaine selects every day, from the Chateau’s gardens, fresh seasonal vegetables, fruits and herbs.
He also favours local producers and farmers for his shopping and selects AOC (Apellation d’Origine Contrôlée) labelled products such as Charolais beef and Bresse chicken.
Château de Bagnols’ guests can enjoy homemade jams and marmelades at breakfast, as well as very tasty food, in the Michelin-starred restaurant La Salle des Gardes, while enjoying their meal in front of one of the French largest gothic chimneys.
The ultimate experience
For the ultimate experience, Château de Bagnols can be entirely at your disposal; we can create a setting that is purely magical and as bespoke as you are.
Imagine holding your special occasion, whether it be a private celebration, a wedding ceremony, wedding reception, prestigious corporate event or charity event, in the exclusive splendour of the Château, where the only guests are those you have specially invited.
Quite simply, exclusive use of the Chateau means a unique occasion with ultimate privacy and unrivalled flexibility.
Château de Bagnols is a unique experience. Nowhere else in France can provide guests with such historic luxury in such a grandiose yet comfortable environment.