Château de Bagnols :: Bagnols, France

Surrounded by majestic vineyards in Bagnols, France sits a unique five-star deluxe château hotel, the Château de Bagnols. This thirteenth century castle was re-discovered in 1987 by Lady Hamlyn who painstakingly had it restored to its former glory. During the restoration a wide variety of Renaissance wall and ceiling paintings were found dating back to the château’s finest time, when nearby Lyon was one of Europe’s great Renaissance cities. The Château also features impressive towers, the original dry moat and a dramatic entrance across a drawbridge. It is one of France’s major historic monuments while at the same time serves as a unique twenty one room luxury hotel. The beauty provided by this majestic setting is amazing; guests can enjoy the vineyards, forests and green hills of the gorgeous Beaujolais countryside in south-east France.

The Château de Bagnols twenty one rooms include eight apartments/suites, six in the Château and two in the Residence, named after historic figures in the château’s history. The rooms are broken up into five different types, traditional, deluxe, junior suites, suites and the Lady Hamlyn Apartment. The traditional rooms feature large marble or granite bathrooms, spacious dressing rooms and terracotta or coco carpet flooring. Deluxe rooms overlook the garden, beautiful Beaujolais valley or the stunning Renaissance courtyard, some also have working fireplaces while others are decorated with original wall paintings or feature a private terrace. The junior suites feature a queen size bed or two four post twin beds while giving guests overlooking views of the beautiful valet and surrounding hills, the village or the inner courtyard they all also feature original 19th century furniture and fully restored wall paintings from the 17th century. Suites all have a separate lounge area with most decorated with brilliant wall paintings and provide wonderful views of the Renaissance courtyard, the Beaujolais valley or the village. All of the rooms feature the latest telecommunications systems and are decorated using soft velvets and shimmering silks to complement the rare and unique antiques. The eye-catching private duplex, the Lady Hamlyn Apartment, is for the most discriminating travelers. Likely the most beautiful apartment in the Beaujolais region, it features antique furniture that belonged to the private collection of Lady Hamlyn. It also has a dining room and separate lounge with an amazing open fireplace as well as an office and terrace that overlooks the Beaujolais valley and provides private access to the Château Gardens.

Dining at Château de Bagnols is another wonderful experience worthy of nobility. With a delectably seductive menu offering a range of regional specialties, traditional spit-roasted meats and game as well as inspired new dishes there is bound to be something to excite your taste buds. All of this amazing cuisine goes down even better with variety of local Beaujolais wines offered, including the ten celebrated Beaujolais crus. On days with pleasant weather diners can choose to eat out doors on the south-facing terrace which is shaded by hundred year old lime trees and gives you a spectacular view of the Beaujolais countryside. The Château de Bagnols is easy to reach, only seventeen miles from Lyon or a two hour train ride from Paris or Geneva.