According to history, a lord named Quintus created a small farm farmed by settlers. The farm took the name of its owner and Villa Quintus (or 'Quintio') became due to 'Quincheys' and 'Quinchay' alterations. Later, a chapel was erected: the chapel Sainte Marie de Quinchay. And, over time, it became La Chapelle de Guinchay.
This village located 12 km from Mâcon, at the limit of the departments of Ain, Rhone, Saone-et-Loire, is the chief town of the following towns: Bourgvilain, Brandon, Chaintré, Chaânes, Chasselas, Clairmain, Crêches-sur-Saône, Davayé, Dompierre-les-Ormes, Fuissé, Germolles-sur-Grosne, Mont-de-Mont-de-France Chapel, Leynes, Matour, Montagny-sur-Grosse, Montmelard, Pierreclos, Pruzilly, Romanèche- Thorins, Saint-Amour-Bellevue, Saint-Léger-sous-la-Bussière, Saint-Pierre-le-Vieux, Saint-Point, Saint-Symphorien-d'Ancelles, Saint-Vérand, Serrières, Solutré-Pouilly, Trambly, Trivy, Vergisson, Verosvres, and Vinzelles.
It has nearly 4000 inhabitants, covers an area of 1250 hectares and is 200 m above sea level.
La Chapelle-de-Guinchay has an important professional, commercial and craft life. The equipment necessary for communal life is well adapted (day-care center, school, college, retirement home, gendarmerie, first aid center, post office, pharmacy, public treasury...). The associative, cultural, sports and social life is very active (more than 30 associations).
