Home description

Comte and Comtesse de Vanssay personally welcome you to their ancestral home, the Elegant XIVth to XIXth Century Château de la Barre.

Hidden in the rolling hills of the Sarthe and the Perche, between Vendome and Le Mans, this elegant Chateau set in 100 acres of parkland, has its own chapel, flower garden, pond with swans, woods and 16th Century fortifications and has been in the family from father to son since 1404.

It simply breathes sophistication, elegance and warmth.  From the courtyard, the Comte and Comtesse de Vanssay will welcome you as friends as you enter their 'vestibule' with its exotic fabrics and lacquered grandfather clock. Join them later for tea in the 'Salon Rose', by the fireplace, under the ancestral portraits or in front of the Château under the centennial elm trees. Enjoy drinks before dinner in the pure 18th Century 'Grand Salon' with its fine boiseries, high ceilings, ornate chandeliers and furniture which has never left the room since the wedding of the Marquis de Vanssay in 1784. Later, candlelit dinner with family silver and crystal is served in the grande 'Salle à Manger' with its high ceilings, massive burnished buffet and exquisite China collection. Breakfast is served in the more intimate breakfast room, furnished with a combination of local 17th Century and English Georgian pieces.

There is also a cosy lounge or 'piece de famille' situated in the oldest part of the Château, with a billiard table, hospitality bar and home video, by the majestic 14th Century fireplace.

It is possible to rent the entire Château, 10 en-suite bedrooms, 4 reception rooms and the games room, for an entire week. Prices on request.

The Hosts

Château de la Barre is ideal for a house party, celebrating a birthday or anniversary or any special event, or just to indulge in a totally relaxing time alone with a friend or as a couple with your hosts. The Comte and Comtesse, Marnie and Guy are young, friendly and relaxed. English hospitality blends with French joie de vivre and you are treated simultaneously like a member of the aristocracy and of the family, even if only for a week! Guy is a writer and a wine connoisseur. Marnie is a recruitment consultant and knowledgeable on French history and antiques.

Accommodation

All the magnificent and unashamedly luxurious en-suite guest rooms overlook the peaceful park and are gilded with sumptuous and exotic fabrics and fine antiques, without compromising on contemporary comforts! Every piece of furniture and heirloom tells a story, which your hosts will be happy to share!

Accommodation detail

An elegant, large double room with en-suite shower.

About the location

Picturesque villages lie all around Château de la Barre, within a 10 miles radius, each with their own manor houses, 12th Century romanesque churches with period frescoes and frequent antique markets, as well as many interesting local wine producers, and delicious little auberges and restaurants. Archery hunting is also available with prior notice, as are French and cooking lessons, and more original, rental of vintage Citroen cars, hot air balloon flights, Renaissance lunches in Leonardo da Vincis home and much more...

Chateau de la Barre is located 30 miles from the hallowed Le Mans 24 hours circuit and the remarkable old city of Le Mans, where many films taking place in Paris of the renaissance are filmed. 40 miles South you will find the famous Loire Valley castles, Amboise, Chenonceau, Cheverny, Blois and Chambord, to name just a few.

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and facilities.

How to get here

Fly from London Stansted on Ryanair to Tours airport, from where Château de la Barre is a 55 minute drive.

From Roissy airport, there are TGVs directly to Le Mans train station, travel time 1h40 minutes. We can also arrange airport to train station Paris transfers for guests

Alternatively, you may reach Château de la Barre byEurostar from London and then transfer from Gare du Nord to Gare Montparnasse to take the  TGV train to Vendome-Villiers (runs 4 times a day, takes only 45 minutes), then rent a Europcar at the station or be picked up and taken 20 minutes further to the Château.

From Calais, drive through Paris, taking the A11 motorway to Bordeaux/Nantes/Le Mans, exiting at La Ferte Bernard, then follow the D1 via Vibraye and Berfay to Château de la Barre, 2km before St. Calais.  Alternatively, you may wish to drive to Rouen, then come down the A28 via Le Mans and take the D157 to St Calais.

We will assist guests in planning their trip regarding transport advice, tranfer arrangements, train schedules etc

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and airports.

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Facilities

Facility	Details
Type	Chateau (Bed and Breakfast)
Bedrooms	1 double
Bathrooms	1 bathroom(s)
Capacity	2
Suitability	Suitable for children over 12 only

Facility	Details
External features on site	Garden, Scenic views
Other	Beautiful garden, pond, valley, woods and park. Picturesque roads through quaint villages, renaissance manor houses, romanesque churches with mural paintings, delicious little restaurants off the beaten track, wineries, in short, France as it used to be! Many spectacular gardens to visit, the old town of Le Mans, home of the Plantagenet kings, the forrest of Bercé for long walks, riding stables, golf courses, and of course, the famous Loire valley chateaux.

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Additional price information

Price does not include breakfast - 15 euros per person for full English Breakfast.

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