Bagnols is a small village in the heart of the Beaujolais countryside. It is in the Rhone department of the Rhone-Alpes region.
Explore Bagnols
France This Way review: it is true that Bagnols is a small village that does not take long to explore, but it makes a charming place for a stroll when you are touring the Beaujolais region.
Historically the village grew up around the main trades of wine-making and stone-cutting as a result of the vines and the quarries in the neighbourhood. The quarries have closed now but wine making is still an important industry and Bagnols is surrounded by vines used to make the lovely Beaujolais wines of the region.
Bagnols is a beautiful little village with an attractive church and a castle in the centre.
The main square, called the Place du Chateau, has the Chateau running along its lower edge and the village Mairie on one side. These as well as all the other buildings in the village are built in a beautiful golden stone which comes from the quarries just above the village.
There is a large stone cross on the square which was erected during the reign of the Emperor Napolean (1804). A small bar/restaurant on the square gives you the chance to relax and take in your surroundings.
At the top of the village is a church which was built in the 15th century. The church windows have a very pale stained glass giving the interior a very light and airy atmosphere. It is very unusual but makes a pleasant change from the darker interiors more common in churches.
Bagnols chateau dates from the 13th century and has a wonderful Renaissance mantelpiece carved with the Arms of France for a visit by King Charles VIII. The castle has been renovated and restored by an English couple, Peter and Helen Hamlyn, and is now a luxurious hotel decorated with fabulous period furniture and surrounded by attractive French-style gardens.
Famous guests include Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, Bruce Willis and the rock group 'The Cure' and is part of the Small Luxury Hotels group. The best way to admire the castle is to stay there! See here for photos and bookings.
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Places to visit nearby
In the local area there are a number of small round buildings made of stone called bories. The best examples are at nearby Theizé. Another pretty village to explore close to Bagnols is at Oingt, now listed among the 'most beautiful villages of France'.
The village is set in the Beaujolais countryside and so there are plentiful opportunities for wine tasting and buying in the area.
You can find more travel ideas in the Rhone guide and the Rhone-Alpes guide.
Photos of Bagnols
Click any picture to start the gallery
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Arrange a visit to Bagnols
Hotels in Bagnols
Booking.com: best prices
Map of Bagnols and places nearby
Visit near Bagnols with France This Way reviews
Theize
The quiet village of Theizé makes a pleasant detour when exploring the Beaujolais wine region
Theize guide
Oingt
Completely renovated in recent years, Oingt is one of the prettiest villages in the Beaujolais wine region
Oingt guide
Anse
The quiet town of Anse retains some Roman remains that hint at its importance 2000 years ago
Anse guide
Eveux
Eveux, in the Rhone, is visited for the La Tourette Monastery designed by Le Corbusier
Eveux guide
Trevoux
The quiet town of Trevoux in Ain has several historical monuments paying testament to its past importance
Trevoux guide
Belleville
Not an important tourist town, Belleville does have a couple of sites of interest if you are nearby
Belleville guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Rhone
Address: Bagnols, Bois-d'Oingt, Villefranche-sur-Saône, Rhone-Alpes, 69620, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 45.9183, longitude 4.6081
Plan your visit to Bagnols, Rhone
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Oingt: most beautiful village (4 km)
- Jardins du Château de Saint-Bernard: remarkable garden (7 km)
- Trevoux: recommended detour (13 km)
- Parc du château de Laye: remarkable garden (18 km)
- Parc animalier de Courzieu: zoo or wildlife park (19 km)
- Ecully: ville fleurie 4* (21 km)
- Parc de la Tête d'Or: remarkable garden (24 km)
- Lyon: secteur sauvegarde (24 km)
- Jardin zoologique de la ville de Lyon: zoo or wildlife park (25 km)
- Abbaye Saint Martin d'Ainey (Lyon): religious monument (25 km)
- Laboratoire d’écologie des hydrosystèmes naturels et anthropisés: site of natural beauty (25 km)
- Historic Lyon: heritage site (25 km)
The French version of this page is at Bagnols (Francais)
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