Standing at the entrance to the Loire Valley, between Vendôme, Chartres and Le Mans, the elegant 14th century Chateau de la Barre is an idyllic haven offering peace, pampering, and prestige. That is because at Chateau de la Barre, guests can enjoy an exclusive taste of authentic French aristocracy and hospitality, as the Count and Countess de Vanssay welcome them into their private home, a beautifully-maintained property that has stayed in the de Vanssay family’s unbroken lineage since 1404.

Property Details

Chateau de la Barre boasts just six en-suite Master bedrooms, each one with its own distinct style and charm, and many of which can connect to create a larger suite accommodation. For instance, the Suite Marin de Vanssay occupies two luxurious rooms: the Chambre Marin, outfitted with a king size canopy bed and a distinct royal blue and gold Rubelli fabric, as well as the connecting Chambre Louis XV, which offers a small single or small double arrangement and precious signed Louis XV antiques. There is also the romantic Suite accommodation: the Chambre Esprit de Jouy Vert with its four-poster bed, emerald green Toile de Jouy fabric, and Juliet balcony, connecting to the royal blue Chambre Esprit de Jouy Bleue. Families looking for both privacy and proximity will prefer the connecting abodes of the elegant Chambre Bleue, marked by its embroidered silk Rubelli fabric, and the Chambre aux Oiseaux, with its George II era décor. The luminous mustard golden Chambre Jaune and the cozy Chambre aux Fleur round out the offerings of this beautiful chateau.

The ground floor of Chateau de la Barre houses a 1,000-square-foot Grand Salon or formal drawing room, as well as a grand dining room, an intimate drawing room with a majestic fireplace, a small dining room filled with impressionist paintings, and a “pièce à feu” or billiard room, outfitted with a wide screen television, billiard table, and bar in front of the monumental 14th century fireplace. All of these rooms are magnificently furnished with important antiques, oil paintings, family portraits, and Oriental carpets, as well as designer fabrics.

Guests of Chateau de la Barre are treated to a taste of pure aristocratic tradition, whether with a Grand Siècle dinner hosted by the Count and Countess in their dining hall, or with a private tour of the chateau’s 40 acres of private park with its woodland, pond, meadows, river, fragrant garden, and family chapel. Guests of Chateau de la Barre also have exclusive access to private, after-hour visits of some of the splendid Loire Valley chateaux nearby, where they can enjoy tea or lunch with the aristocratic owners. Wine lovers will appreciate the chateau’s proximity to the region’s many vineyards, while history buffs will appreciate the Château de Montmirail and Plantagenêt City of Le Mans landmarks a quick drive away. The farmer’s markets in the neighboring villages are certainly worth the visit – so is a private cooking lesson with a renowned Parisian chef. No matter the passion or pursuit, Chateau de la Barre delivers it in spades.

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