- History:
- Chénas, charming town of North Beaujolais, has with its 475 inhabitants to capture the sun that shines on its slopes. With this accessory, all rays of light between Saone and the mountains will go fondle and color all the grapes. This beautiful marriage of fruit and sun gave birth to two nectars, which bear the sweet name of Chénas and Windmill. The name Chénas could come from a place of oaks (Cassanus in Gaulish). According to other sources, Chénas could come from the name of a Roman nobleman called Canus. Very much a reality, the territory of the commune was planted with oak trees and has been since prehistoric times. Charlemagne allegedly ordered the clearing and also known as fifth Phillippe Le Long, who in 1316 had ordered the uprooting of vines to plant.
- A few years later we find the Chénas wine in the cellars of King Louis XIII. It was, apparently, the only wine which he accepted on his table.
- The French Revolution also highlights the name of Chénas. Indeed, 14 July 1790 sees the celebration of the federation to stand on the mountain Rémont (the site of the cabin of the hunters). Six thousand people from all neighboring towns, there came to celebrate on an altar with four faces, four masses at a time.
- Closer to home, the village of Chénas was moved and went down to "Dime".
- From the old town today there are only a few remnants. Or there stood the church and cemetery, now grows grapes. The new church was built in 1875 on its present site.
- Today Chénas is a village of 475 inhabitants, with an area of 818 ha, with its village and a dozen hamlets scattered throughout the territory of the commune.
