Here - Maison de la France

2012 Press Kit 

Heaven of peace and tranquillity, the Château de Bagnols is witness of eight centuries of 

History. The Château was built in 1217 by Guichard d'Oingt in the heart of the “Pierres 

Dorées” region. Originally built as a defensive fortress, Château de Bagnols is since 1986 

listed a “French Historic Monument” for its architectural and historic significance. 

“Those who like mystery choose to believe that objects keep something of the eyes which have 

looked at them; that monuments and paintings appear to us only beneath the veil which has been 

woven by the love and contemplation of so many admirers throughout the centuries.” 

A la Recherche du Temps Perdu, Le Temps Retrouvé, Marcel Proust 

6 9 6 2 0 B a g n o l s F r a n c e T é l . : + 3 3 ( 0 ) 4 7 4 7 1 4 0 0 0 F a x : + 3 3 ( 0 ) 4 7 4 7 1 4 0 4 9 

E - m a i l i n f o @ c h a t e a u d e b a g n o l s . c o m W e b s i t e w w w . c h a t e a u d e b a g n o l s . c o m 

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Press Release 

SUMMARY 

I- A few words about the Château de Bagnols 

II- The Château de Bagnols across the centuries 

III- The restoration of Château de Bagnols, a perfect rebirth 

IV- An escape to Château de Bagnols: a dream coming true 

V- The Château de Bagnols, a gastronomic landmark 

I- Access 

II- Contacts 

APPENDIX 



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Dear Sir, dear Madam, 

It is our pleasure to inform you of our latest acquisition, the Château de Bagnols Hotel, in 

France (www.chateaudebagnols.co.uk). 

This XIII century Castle, entirely renovated, is one of the finest Luxury Hotels in France, and a 

remarkable symbol of the “art de vivre à la Française”. 

Following the extraordinary success of the Hotel Suites de la Potinière, in Courchevel 1850, 

we invite you today, at the heart of the Beaujolais Region, only two hours by train from Paris and 

30 minutes from Lyon, to another authentic journey: 

A journey through the centuries. Choose 1 among 20 spacious Apartments, all uniquely 

furnished and sumptuously decorated 

A journey to discover the wines and the beauties offered by the Beaujolais Region 

A journey at the heart of an unspoiled nature, a bespoke stay where all your wishes, 

whether they are of relaxing or sporting nature, will come true 

A gastronomic journey, with your family, or for business, Château de Bagnols is the most 

beautiful setting for the ultimate escape 

For you wedding, reception, or cocktail to be unique and luxurious, write a page of your 

history with us, in a setting of unmatched beauty, that we will make you love 

Your board of directors summits, confidential meetings or bespoke incentive trips will be 

optimized through a personalized service, in a most exclusive and elegant environment 

For your reservations or any other enquiry, we invite you to contact us for both Hotels, Les Suites 

de la Potinière in Courchevel and Château de Bagnols in Beaujolais. 

Yours sincerely 

Stanislas Hayaux du Tilly 

Opening date, April 12 th , 2012 

Contact details 

Château de Bagnols Suites de la Potinière 

e-mail: info@chateaudebagnols.fr e-mail: hotel@suites-potiniere.com 

Tel : +33 474 71 4000 Tél : +33 479 08 00 16 



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I- A few words about the Château de Bagnols 

In 1217, the powerful Beaujolais lord Guichard d’Oingt, undertook the 

construction of a vast Château which, because of its size, equalled the most imposing 

buildings belonging to Royalty and Clergy. Completed four years later, this fortified 

building crossed the centuries and was gradually transformed, as each additional owner 

added the improvements which were to make it into the beautiful country castle we 

know today. 

Situated in the heart of the Beaujolais vineyards and the hills of the Lyonnais, in 

the land of the Golden Stones, the Château de Bagnols opened its doors in 1992 as an 

elegant, four-star luxury hotel-restaurant, visited by the great of this world. 

A haven of peace and tranquillity and a witness to eight centuries of history, 

Château de Bagnols is an architectural treasure of France. It includes 12 rooms, 8 suites 

and an apartment, each bearing the name of a famous person connected with the history 

of the Château. As a listed historical building, Château de Bagnols is a symbol of French 

history and tradition. 

The atmosphere, serene and welcoming, in accordance with a beautiful private 

residence, allows you to relax in a setting which combines luxury and perfection whilst 

taking advantage of the beauty of the region. 



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II- The Château de Bagnols across the centuries 

The history of the Château, listed a historical monument, can be traced through 

its architecture: the moat and mediaeval towers and fortifications reveal its thirteenth 

century origins. 

The harmony of the courtyard with its golden paving stones, the classical 

proportions and the exquisite wall paintings are a legacy from the Renaissance. The arms 

of the de Balzac family, one of the former owners of the Château, have become the arms 

of the present day Château de Bagnols: "a silver helmet with three stars of gold". 

At the dawn of the sixteenth century the Château has already had several 

owners, the lords of Oingt, the lords of Albon, the lords of Balzac, until it is sold to the 

Camus family, rich merchants from Lyon. 

As a supreme honour, on 30th October 1490, Charles VIII of France visited 

Château de Bagnols and to commemorate this event a crown was carved in the stone 

fireplace in the Salle des Gardes. During this troubled period of wars there were no 

significant alterations to the Château. 

In 1619 Gaspard Dugué, the Treasurer of France, acquired the Château de 

Bagnols and transformed it from a fortress into a gracious country residence. He 

constructed the outbuildings and the garden, removed the drawbridge and decorated 

the rooms with wall-paintings and tapestries. It was during this time that Madame de 

Sevigné, a friend of the Dugué family, stayed at Bagnols. She mentioned her visit in her 

famous correspondence. 

In 1711, the widow of Gaspard Dugué’s grandson sold the Château to Barthelemy 

Hesseler. 

During the 18th century the tax on windows was abolished and numerous bay 

windows were added to the Château in what was to become its heyday. 



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At this time Lyon, situated at the crossroads of the great European cities, was 

famous for its silk manufacturers. The work of the silk weavers of Lyon inspired several 

Italian artists, hence the Italian influence in the decoration of some of the rooms in the 

Château. There were also many itinerant artists and painters who came to offer their 

services at the Château de Bagnols, which explains the great diversity and richness of the 

wall-paintings. 

The French Revolution saw the demise of many great houses, but once again 

Bagnols survived. The Salle des Gardes, today the Château’s restaurant, was a meeting 

place for some revolutionaries. The partial destruction of the three “fleur de lys”, symbol 

of French royalty, on the top of the fireplace in the Salle des Gardes, is the lasting 

reminder of their presence. 

The Château was sealed off in 1793 because its owner, Georges Marie Giraud, 

was arrested and imprisoned at Anse, accused of being an opponent of the French 

Revolution. 

The following year the Château was purchased by Claude Marie Chavanis, which 

explains the influence of the “Empire” style which was very fashionable at that time. The 

cultivation of wines in the area surrounding the Château was developed to the extent 

that Bagnols became a “wine-growing estate” in the nineteenth century. 

The Morand de Jouffray, the du Chevalard and the de Chavanes families 

subsequently all made their contribution to the Château, both historically and 

architecturally. 

The passion and dedication of Lord and Lady Hamlyn, who acquired the Château 

in 1987, enabled the transformation of the Château, after four years of painstaking 

restoration, into the unique hotel it is today. 

Since then, the Château has been restored to its former glory and offers its 

clients a unique journey through the history of France. 



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III- The restoration of Château de Bagnols, a perfect 

rebirth 

During the Second World War the Château was neglected and fell slowly into 

ruins. The state of the main buildings was critical; in certain places the roofs were falling 

in and the walls were cracked. However, the Château played an essential role in the 

protection of the city of Lyon’s heritage. The stained glass windows of the Cathedral of St 

John and the important paintings from the Museum of St Peter were carefully removed 

and hidden in the Château cellar to protect them from German looting. 

When Lord and Lady Hamlyn bought the estate in 1987 it was a poor shadow of 

its former self. This was the beginning of a formidable challenge which was to give new 

life to the Château whilst preserving its historical character and venerable appearance, 

appropriate to all such great buildings. 

Under the inspired supervision of this British couple, passionate about old 

buildings, the task was undertaken with great patience and meticulous attention to the 

smallest detail. In order to achieve the rebirth of this mythical place, Lady Hamlyn called 

upon the architect Tom Wilson. Assisted at the start of the project by his associates, Henri 

and Romi Guglieri, he also worked with Jean-Gabriel Mortamet, the Inspector-General of 

Historical Buildings and John Iversen, hotel consultant. 

Thus began the four years of meticulous restoration which brought together up 

to 400 people on the site, including specialized artisans. 

The most sophisticated techniques, often completely innovative, were used to 

consolidate the building. Owing to the historic dimension of the Château, the architects 

chose to give new life to the majestic building in the most faithful way possible, without 

altering its original appearance. For example, in order to carry out the restoration of the 

ceilings and the roofs, a task which lasted throughout 1988 and 1989, antique wood and 

tiles were used so that the renovation was not obvious. 

The numerous constraints due to the layout of the buildings were largely 

compensated by some happy surprises. Throughout the progress of the restoration, the 



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walls which were stripped of their successive layers revealed the first wall decorations 

dating from the 17th century. Five groups of restorers were brought together from 1990 

to 1991 to uncover and then stabilize these fragile works of art. 

After a great deal of time and effort, the challenge of transforming Château de 

Bagnols into one of the most beautiful Château-Hotels in France, with its unique identity 

and atmosphere of serenity and elegance, whilst offering luxury and comfort to its 

clientele, was finally achieved. 

The Château adapted itself to its new role of luxury hotel and could therefore 

start to relive its former splendour. 

The conversion of the building took into account the original dimensions of the 

rooms. The suites, which comprise bedroom, sitting-room and bathroom, were installed 

without difficulty into the former rooms and anterooms of the beginning of the 17th 

century. 

Lady Hamlyn personally undertook the decoration of the 21 rooms, suites and 

public rooms. 

Inspired by her passion for art and antiques, this talented collector visited 

antique dealers all over the world in search of original pieces from the 17th and 18th 

centuries. Lady Hamlyn was thus able to recreate the atmosphere of the original décor, 

blending marvellously with the unique historical character of the building. 

The porcelain, glass and linen were specially created for the Château de Bagnols 

following designs from the 18th century. The antique beds were draped with original 

velvets and embroidered textiles belonging to Lady Hamlyn’s private collection. 

Another place, another enchantment: the magnificent French garden designed 

by Lady Hamlyn, which the discovery of an engraving of 18th century shows to be a 

faithful reproduction of the original design, invites visitors to follow its pathways and 

discover its mysteries. 



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IV- An escape to Château de Bagnols: a dream coming 

true 

A haven of peace and tranquillity, the Château de Bagnols includes nineteen 

unique Apartments. Each Apartment bears the name of a famous person connected with 

the history of Bagnols. 

Tapestries, wall-paintings and other collector’s items carefully chosen by Lady 

Hamlyn, adorn the various private and public rooms of the Château, giving them a unique 

soul and atmosphere. Column beds, four-poster beds, bed-hangings of “Toile de Jouy” 

and beautiful antique silks vie with each other to lull you into the night of your dreams…. 

Sink with delight into the marble bath in your bathroom and appreciate this magical 

moment. 

Chosen as one of the “Hundred and One Most Beautiful Hotels in the World” by 

Tatler magazine, the Château de Bagnols invites you to enter its universe for the space of 

a night or a weekend. Much more than a hotel, the Château de Bagnols offers you an 

unforgettable stay within its walls where time seems to have stood still. 

Come close, listen and let us tell you the story of this extraordinary place … 

At the entrance to the Château, after crossing the Beaujolais gallery, you will 

discover a vast room where several ancient wine-presses, barrels, baskets and other 

winemaking tools are displayed – this is the “Cuvage”. Here you can taste, savour, 

compare and love the sap of the land. Eminent oenologists will join you to impart their 

passion and initiate you in the rites of wine-tasting. 

From the cellar you can reach the moat which leads to the garden. The 

magnificent French garden, harmoniously re-created by Lady Hamlyn, was designed in the 

18th century by Jean Brunel, the Château gardener. Follow the pathways across the 

velvet-like lawn until they cross over at the ornamental stone basin dominated by a 

fountain. Walk around the orchard planted with cherry trees and visit the walled 

vegetable garden where vegetables, herbs and flowers proliferate according to the 

seasons. Up a few steps from the garden you will reach the “Salon Ombragé”, thus 

named since the 18th century, where a table has been laid for you in the shade of the 

ancient lime trees. 



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Wooded hills, vines closely ranked together and green valleys will be the 

surroundings for your picnic, prepared by our Chef. 

After lunch, let yourself be tempted by the rocking chairs scattered around the 

park. Perhaps you will choose the scented shade of the limes or else the sunshine by the 

lavender alley, whilst you rock gently in your chair and read the letters of Madame de 

Sevigné, whose visit to Bagnols left a proud, indelible impression on the village. Whether 

you adopt the peaceful pace of the walker or the faster rhythm of the jogger or cyclist 

across the vineyards, you will almost certainly encounter a cheeky hare or a smiling winemaker. 

If you prefer, you can attempt a drive at the Golf du Beaujolais, situated only a few 

kilometres from Bagnols. Alternatively, you can follow some carefully prepared itineraries 

which will lead you to discover an area rich in fortresses, chapels, priories, fortified 

villages and wine-growing estates. Our heated Roman swimming-pool is at your disposal 

in its own specially created park. It is open during the summer months and its 

measurements (17.5 meters in diameter and 1.49 metres deep) have been designed to 

enable you to relax with complete peace of mind. 

When evening falls in this region of the “Golden Stones”, dusk is the theatre for 

duels existing since ancient times between the luminescent stones and the encroaching 

shadows. During the nights of the full moon these jousts cease only when dawn finally 

breaks. A delicious odour comes your way… Hurry up, your table has been reserved, the 

Château feast can begin. 

As you cross the Renaissance courtyard you can see through the large glass bay 

windows glimpses of silver and copper - the ballet of the master-cooks has begun and 

each one is busily occupied. Meat roasted on the spit turns round and round until it 

reaches exactly the right golden colour. 

Enter the majestic Salle des Gardes, the Master of Ceremonies is waiting for you 

and the fire is crackling in the immense gothic fireplace. 

Here comes the wine waiter. The wine list offers a complete palette of Beaujolais 

wines and the best selection of the region. This evening you decide to be reasonable and 

order only one, tomorrow you will taste the others in the Cuvage during the initiation 

which has been arranged for you. 

Your order has been taken, the scent of peonies rises from your glass, and you 

have discovered the wine of Chenas. The feast is worthy of the magical setting and of a 

day which has passed by too quickly. 



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V- The Château de Bagnols, a gastronomic landmark 

Situated in the heart of the Lyonnais region, an area with a great gastronomic 

tradition, it was obvious that Château de Bagnols had to make of its restaurant, the “Salle 

des Gardes”, a worthy detour for gourmets. 

What could be more pleasant on a rainy winter day than to sample gastronomic 

dishes which are both authentic and refined, close to a roaring fire. This is entirely 

possible as the Salle des Gardes possesses one of the largest Gothic fireplaces in France. 

During the summer months, clients can choose to have lunch under the shade of the 

ancient lime trees or dinner on the terrace. 

Table decoration and design is also a priority at Château de Bagnols; everything 

has been done to attain authenticity and the highest quality. The silverware has been 

specially patinated to achieve a softer, antique finish; the pistol-handled knives were 

reproduced in England following an original 18th century design. The glasses are made in 

Alsace exclusively for Château de Bagnols following an 18th century Burgundian design 

and are blown in the 18th century glass mixture specially re-created for the Château. The 

Salle des Gardes armorial plates and dishes have been made exclusively for the Château 

at Limoges. 

The beautiful items sold at La Boutique are part of the private collection of more 

than 400 pieces specially designed for the Château de Bagnols by its former owner, Lady 

Helen Hamlyn. 



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I- Access 

APPENDIX 

By car: 

28 kilometres from Lyon, 30 minutes by car 

56 kilometres from Saint-Exupery International Airport, 45 minutes by car 

By TGV: 

2 hours from Paris or Geneva 

1h45 from Marseille 

The private airport of Frontenas is only a few minutes away and is suitable for helicopters 

or small private planes. 



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Mr. Frank Citerne 

Director, frank.citerne@lesclesduluxe.com 

II- Contacts 

Mr. Stanislas du Tilly 

Director of Development, stanislas@luxury-key.com 

Mr. Frank Ohayon 

Assistant Director, frank.ohayon@lesclesduluxe.com 

Mrs. Sarah Ansari 

Front of House Manager, sarah.ansari@chateaudebagnols.fr 



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