Chateau de Bagnols

Hotel details

When ancient artistry is smartly married with contemporary style, the result is a beautiful and unique merging of time and taste. The Château de Bagnols, built in the 13th century in France’s Beaujolais wine region, radiantly achieves this delicate meshing of eras with elegance and authenticity.

Complete with towers, a moat and a drawbridge, the only thing missing from this fairy tale setting is the mean ogre and the imprisoned princess. On a more realistic note, all 21 bedrooms are charmingly named after people who have contributed to the chateau’s past, such as Madame de Sévigné. Draped with warm velvets and sensual silks, you’ll find that each room is elegantly unique and that the history they hold is permeating.

To relish the robust, full flavour of this region’s cuisine, look no further than the Michelin-starred Salle des Gardes, the chateau’s regal restaurant. If the weather is agreeable, do take advantage of the terrace and the generous shade of the 100-year old lime trees while admiring the fruit orchards below.

An excellent way to explore the region and the surrounding small towns is by wandering through their colourful, lively markets on Sunday mornings. And in the afternoons, a leisurely visit of the Beaujolais and Burgundian vineyards is a succulent wine tasting opportunity.