Bagnols-sur-Cèze (, lit. "Bagnols-on-Cèze"; ) is a commune in the Gard department in the Occitania region in Southern France.

History

A small regional centre, Bagnols-sur-Cèze was quite certainly a Roman town (the name of the town comes from the Latin balnearius meaning "related to baths, bathing-place") before the main part was built in the 13th century around a central arcaded square that is still preserved today. At the same period, the regional market was installed here, undoubtedly contributing to its expansion.

Demographics

Bagnols-sur-Ceze expanded steadily after the Marcoule nuclear centre was established in 1956.

Sights

The old center of Bagnols-sur-Cèze retains its historic feel, with small streets and largely preserved architecture. Several façades are remarkable. The towns contains a notable museum of contemporary art, the Musée Albert-André, founded in 1868 as well as an archaeological museum with a collection of artifacts found mainly in nearby Roman sites. The shoegaze music band named Alcest is from this city. There are several murals featuring optical illusions.

International relations

Bagnols-sur-Cèze is twinned with:

Notable people

Albert André, art collector of late 19th century art, who bequeathed his magnificent collection to the town of Bagnols-sur-Cèze, where it resides in the Mairie, as the Musée Albert André