Although having born witness to the Hundred Years War, the Religious Wars, and the vicissitudes of the French Revolution, Chateau de La Barre could tell countless tales, and delights most in joyfully extolling a preserved way of life. Today, the Count and Countess de Vanssay (she is Anglo-American, he is the twentieth generation at his family chateau), welcome you to their home, where the rooms combine elegance and authenticity with all the important modern comforts. The living rooms, with portraits of various family ancestors, rival in grandeur with the immense dining room, a veritable chef d'oeuvre of the 18th century, complete with its monumental buffet displaying an exquisite collection of china.
Chateau de La Barre has 5 beautiful and spacious guestrooms: Marin de Vansaay, Aux Fleurs, Esprit de Jouy, Jaune et Bleue.
Breakfast
Enjoy the freshest products of the country after the sun rises over our rolling hills and meadows. Breakfast is made up of rare teas and expresso coffee, or hot chocolate upon request, fruit juice, home made jams, fresh eggs from the farm, scrambled or sunny side up upon request, different breads and croissants from the baker, cereales, yogurts, and fresh fruit etc…served daily from 9h30 to 10h30, unless specifically requested otherwise. Price: € 15 per person.
Dinner is an experience!
Come dine as if you were in the XVIIIth century and enjoy in the company of our other guests, the family silver, Crystal, precious china and embroidered linen. With the wines of the Loire, carefully selected and presented by your host, you will discover one of many jewels of our region. Dinner begins at 8 pm with a drink in the salon rose or on the terrace, then an entrée, a main course, salad and a selection of cheeses, and finally dessert, with two different wines being served. Then adjourn to the drawing room for coffee, tea or herbal tea and brandy. The dress is « casual chic » Price: € 65 per person. Dinners are served on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, upon prior reservation.
Supper (€ 45 p.p.) en picnics (€ 15 p.p.) upon request and upon prior reservation.
Gardens
There are 4 gardens, Italian, Japanese, American and Inca surround a fountain and a rose garden inviting you to linger in an enchanted setting to complement your visits to the Loir and Loire valley gardens of Sasnières, Le Petit Bordeaux, Valmer, la Possonnière and of course Villandry.
Activities
Nearby all kinds of activities are available, such as golf, hot air balloon, oenology, archery hunting, shiatsu and reflexology, bike riding, hiking, horse riding, French language classes, cooking classes.
Ideal location for wedding anniversaries, birthdays, etc.
History
Originally from Brittany, as the family coat of arms indicates, the Vanssay family settled in Vancé, in the county of Maine, Pays de La Loire, during the 9th century, and remained there for 5 centuries. Members of this family accompanied William the Conqueror to Hastings, as is mentionned in the Domesday Book.In 1404 the Manoir de La Barre came into the Vanssay family by marriage. The château was originally a court of justice and a toll collection centre, hence its name "La Barre".During the 16th century, Marin de Vanssay fortified and expanded his chateau. A wing was added during the 17th century and the interior refurbished in the 18th century.
Throughout the French revolution, Chateau de La Barre remained intact.During the early part of the 19th century, some of the Vanssays followed Napoleon as far as Russia. Later, around 1870, the Count de Vanssay was private secretary to the Count de Chambord, the last legitimate heir to the French throne.
