Bâgé-le-Châtel

Bâgé-le-Châtel is a commune in the Ain department in eastern France.

History
The name of Bâgé-le-Châtel comes from a Gallo-Roman villa belonging to a certain Balgiasius.

In the Middle Ages, three parishes were formed on the territory of the Seigneurs de Bâgé: Bâgé-le-Châtel around the chateau, Saint-André where the church was built, and Bâgé-la-Ville, the largest town.

Bâgé-le-Châtel is the ancient capital of Bresse. In 1272, Bresse became part of Savoy when Sibylle de Bâgé, sole heir, married Amadeus V, Count of Savoy. Bourg (today Bourg-en-Bresse), a fortified bastion with 3400 inhabitants, became the capital of Bresse. Bâgé remained a village, whereas Bourg expanded beyond its walls to become the city of today.