Bayon is located halfway between the towns of Nancy and Épinal.
Its origin dates back to the time of the Roman conquest, since in the past it was a Roman oppidum.
The town was built on the natural promontory of the Lebel coast. Its geographical position offered natural defenses with the Moselle on one side and the Euron on the other. Bayon has known constant occupation since the Gauls.
In 1172, the land of Bayon was given in appanage to Henri le Lombard, youngest of the House of Lorraine, son of Duke Ferry I of Bitche. It was he who, at the beginning of the 13th century, had a defensive castle built as well as thick walls (access to which was guarded by three gates). Through the vicissitudes of low and high averaging and the conflicts that follow one another, the town has experienced various fortunes. Thus, December 24, 1635, during the Thirty Years' War, the Duke of Longueville, seized the city on behalf of the King of France. The city was once again plundered and set on fire and the fortress ended like most fortified castles in Lorraine, dismantled in 1636 by order of Louis XIII and Richelieu. The last traces of this feudal past will disappear with the Revolution.
Bayon then entered the modern and industrial era with the establishment of a tile factory, a mechanical cooperage, a bolting, an agricultural cooperative, a mill and of course the Chicory plant. Unfortunately from this rich past only a few traces remain.
Bayon is a rural town near the Vosges. It is a great place for walks and nature discovery activities. In addition to the communal ponds of Saussaie (fishing possible), the Moselle borders the town. The bed of this river is classified as a wild Moselle regional reserve. Part of its territory is also classified as a Natura 2000 zone.
