EXPERIENCES & ACTIVITIES
THE WARM WELCOME OF A FAMILY ESTATE
Let the Countess de Vanssay tailor your programs to suit your interests, time and budget, with : Local hiking maps, bike tours, wine tours, picnic baskets, hot air ballooning, gourmet inns, medieval town and Romanesque church tours, and tickets to the great castles of the Loire. As well as, other totally unique experiences to live! (Reservation in advance), such as: Driving a Porsche on the mythical circuit of Le Mans, visit of a Boule furniture restoration workshop, private visit of the Chambord castle after closing time...
AT THE CHÂTEAU
GRAND SIECLE DINNER
The Grand Siècle Dinner is an unforgettable and magical moment, a unique experience of French “art de vivre”.
After champagne cocktails at sunset on the château terrace or by the fireside of the Renaissance Salon Rose, adjourn to the elegant XVIIIth century dining hall for Dinner by candlelight, served with embroidered linen, family silver, fine porcelain and antique crystal with the backdrop of the majestic XVIIIth century dresser dominating the room.
After dinner, a liqueur, coffee or tea, are served in the exceptional grand drawing room which is rarely open, and presents a unique furniture collection, made for the marriage of the IV Marquis de Vanssay in 1778, having not left the room since.
WINE TASTING
After a visit of the Château and the wine cellars, congregate around the buffet by the majestic fireplace and with Count de Vanssay begin an oenological trip through France! Travel to Burgundy to taste the Pinot Noir, then to Bordeaux to discover the assemblages, then via the grands Crus of Beaujolais descend the Rhône Valley towards Provence finishing at Châteauneuf-du-Pape, made from 13 different cépages. Or decide on a vertical tasting of various years from your favorite wine. Or remain in the Loire Valley, concentrating on the Chenin whites of Vouvray and Jasnières, and discovering the rare Romorantin, the Sauvignons and Cabernet Francs. Or have fun with a blind tasting and a prize to be won at the end! All accompanied by a large selection of cheeses and terroir products.
HOT AIR BALLOON
At dawn, meet your professional pilot in the meadow below the castle to inflate the balloon. When it suddenly stands erect, the signal is given to quickly climb into the small basket. The moment of take-off is here, little by little, the balloon gains height, the garden, the castle vanish in the morning mist, which you fly over, in peaceful, serene silence. Into the rising sun, you will surprise deer near rivers in the meadows, you will discover mansions hidden in the middle of small woods whose peaks you will fly over. After a good hour, the balloon will gradually lose height and you will land in a field, for a graduation ceremony before returning to the castle, to celebrate your aerostatic adventure with champagne and a hearty breakfast.
COOKING CLASSES
A cooking class at Château de La Barre is an integral part of experiencing château life, learning some of our family’s favorite recipes, how we plan a menu, prepare a cheese platter, and pair the wine and food. Our goal is to help you learn the basics of French cookery and master dishes you will be comfortable preparing back in your own kitchen.
Cooking classes, limited to 4, take place in the family kitchen, and include time for stories, about the products but also illustrating some aspects of French culture.
The cookery courses take advantage of seasonal produce and local farm products and on Thursday morning, can include the village farmers market to select the freshest seasonal ingredients together. Finish your class in the dining room, enjoying your own creations and selected wines.
1910 GARDEN PARTY
Experience château life to its’ fullest, as if you were in a movie…
Go Downton Abbey style, with an elegant 1910 garden party, with a croquet competition and a game of Badminton on the lawns, the crisp white linen on the set tables swaying elegantly in the afternoon breeze…while the servants in livery pour the champagne…
LIVE CLUEDO
All of a sudden, at dark, during cognac and coffee in the grand drawing room, thunder strikes, the lights go out, a pale, shaking servant in livery enters and hands one of the guests an envelope…A life size Cluedo begins…
E-BIKING
E-bikes are a fantastic way to see more of the countryside, allowing you to pedal for longer and further, along picturesque country roads, weaving through meadows and forests, vineyards and medieval towns. The Château will provide you with maps well adapted to cycle rides.
A ROYAL CHAUFFEUR SERVICE
Let’s face it, life is better when lived with elegance. So sit back and truly relax with your private chauffeur, in a daimler limousine, ensuring that you arrive in the style and comfort for your stay at chateau de la barre (without spilling your champagne en route!). Ask us in advance and we will provide the perfect chauffeur driven services for you. Our chauffeurs are english speaking, knowledgeable concerning the many hidden gems of our region and france, as well as being experienced in fulfilling the travel requirements of vip passengers.
HIGH-TEA
Indulge in the 200 year old tradition of High Tea & Champagne, served in the spectacular Grand Drawing room, on the family crested porcelain gifted by the last king of France, Henri V, Count de Chambord, to his private secretary, the Count de Vanssay, in 1868.
THE REGION
ACTIVITIES IN THEREGIONACTIVITIES IN THEREGION
GARDEN VISITS
45 kmAfter exploring the 100 acre park of Château de la Barre, venture further to discover the most English of French Gardens “Le Plessis-Sasnières, also serving delicious dinners in their Orangerie. Follow the little Loir River West to the romantic shade garden “Le Petit Bordeaux”, a perfect place to open your picnic hamper, sitting in a gazebo by a ponds. More grand is of course, along the main Loire river, the ultimate „Jardins à la Française“: the Château de Villandry. And the trendiest of all remains the international garden festival of Chaumont castle, where 30 landscape architects from around the world display their prized creations.
FAMOUS LOIRE CHÂTEAUX
65 kmTravel to te heart of Renaissance, to Château d'Ambroise, with its tower wide enough to ride up in a coach! Next door, at Clos, donated by François 1 er to Leonardo da Vinci, you will find 44 replicas of his major inventions. A historic chef, master craftsman of France, serves excellent Renaissance lunches. A few km away, discover the famous Château de Chenonceau, with its magnificent covered gallery crossing the Cher river. The monumental Château de Chambord, the largest of the Loire Valley castles, cannot fail to impress, with it 365 chimneys. Nearby, admire the Château de Cheverry, the most beautifully furnished of all the Loire castles.
WINERIES
45 kmLoire wines are gaining momentum, now is the perfect time to get to know them better. Compare the Chenins Blancs, starting with the nearby Jasnières, during a tasting in the impressive troglodyte caves, extending for miles into the hillside, and further south, the famous Vouvray, at the excellent producer Huet, or in the underground rotunda near Rochecorbon, where you can also sample a sparkling Chenin and even order the sweet Vouvray of your birthyear! Countess de Vanssay can organize tastings for you at the best Cabernet Franc producers in Chinon, Bourgueil and Saumur. And don’t miss the very rare Romorantin grape, near Cheverny.
THE 24 HOURS LE MANS
45 kmThe biggest endurance race in the world. A 24-hour saga during which legends are forged with the most powerful and furious productions of the automobile industry.
Le Mans Classic, the unmissable event for vintage car enthusiasts, brings together the most beautiful cars having competed on the track. At the Le Mans 24-hour museum, rediscover the history of this race and of its’ legendary drivers.
Or are you passionate about racing and want to improve your performance, driving and precision techniques? We can organize driving sessions at the wheel of different Porsches, on the legendary Bugatti Circuit or on Maison Blanche Circuit. Advance notice essential, this is exceptional.
QUAINT VILLAGES OF THE LOIR
65 kmJust 20 km from Château de la Barre, take the less travelled road, far from any tourist noise, to explore the charming, yet quite unknown little Loir Valley (without the "e"): Its vineyards, its thousand-year-old forests, its troglodyte villages, its magnificent gardens, its Romanesque chapels with medieval frescoes. Visit the Trinity Abbey in Vendôme, the St Gilles Chapel (11th century) in Montoire, Lavardin, classified among the most beautiful villages in France, Trôo, the Manor of Court poet Ronsard in Couture, and the Renaissance castles of Poncé and Courtanvaux.
There are a few small gourmet restaurants hidden in one or the other village that are definitely worth a visit ...
MEDIEVAL TOWNS AND CATHEDRALS
45kmHalfway to Paris, Chartres Cathedral, the first and the largest classical Gothic cathedral in France, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its 13th century, stained glass windows constitute one of the most remarkable collections in France. A must visit!
The superb and vast Cité Plantagenêt, birthplace of King Henri II of England, in the historic heart of Le Mans, is surrounded by Gallo-Roman walls among the best preserved in the world. Its Gothic St. Julien cathedral shows Celtic, Roman and Roman remains, and traces of polychromy can still be seen. Almost car-free, beautifully restored, it is a unique filming location: most historical films take place here.
EXCEPTIONAL ARTISANS OF OUR REGION
45 kmIn our region, each village is home to a secret talent, which we look forward to sharing with you. In Poncé, come see Nicolas at work, a glassblower worthy of Murano, trained at Lalique and Baccarat, and influenced by Biot. At La Chârtre-sur-Loir, have a belt or another luxury item crafted for you by a real saddler, Hervé Noiras, trained at Hermès. One of the best Boule furniture restorers has taken up residence at Château de Fretay, and we can organize visits to her workshop, and even small internships. In Tresson, admire the mansion built by stonemason Guillaume Chausson, entirely himself, in the pure Renaissance style.
COUNTESSCONNECTIONS
