Luxury Bed and Breakfast, B&B, Accommodation Conflans sur Anille, Sarthe F-72120, Pays-de-la-Loire, France

Chateau de la Barre

Lodge No 160

Celebrate Christmas and/or New Year in an elegant Château

Set in 100 acres of meadows and woods, this elegant Chateau has its own 16th century dry moat and fortifications, chapel, flower gardens and pond with swans. It has been in the family for six centuries. The Comte and Comtesse, Guy and Marnie de Vanssay will immediately make you feel at home as you join them for drinks in the 18th century Grand Salon with boiseries and ornate chandeliers. Candlelit dinner is served in the Grand Salle a Manger with its massive burnished dresser and exquisite china collection.

Then move on to brandy and coffee in the Salon Rose under ancestral portraits or in the ‘Piece a Feu' in front of the huge 14th century fireplace where a game of billiards can be enjoyed under the watchful eyes of the fox terrier, the Weimaraner and Kakou the parrot. Five magnificent and unashamedly luzurious en suite guest rooms are gilded with sumptuous fabrics and fine antiques, without compromsing on contemporary comforts! Every heirloom tells story, which you hosts will be happy to share.

Your Bed & Breakfast Hosts

Guy and Marnie blend English hospitality with French joie de vivre and their dinners combine French regional cuisine with sparkling conversation. Guy is a writer and wine connoisseur, Marnie a recruitment consultant knowledgeable on French history and antiques.

The Location

The remarkable old city of Le Mans and the hallowed 24 hour circuit, the famous Loire Valley castles, and all around, a myriad of picturesque villages each with their own chateaux, 12th century churches with frescos and many interesting local wine producers. Beautiful walks, golf and riding in the area, shooting and archery hunting available with prior notice. Ryanair flies London Stansted to Tours daily. Alternatively, La Barre is near Vendrome, which is 42 minutes from Paris by train.

Places of Local Interest

Le Mans, Tours, Vendome, Blois, hunting, Loire Valley castles, romanesque churches, Chateau, La Sarthe, Amboise,

How to find Chateau de la Barre Bed & Breakfast (B&B).

Take the ‘La Ferte Bernard' exit from motorway A11 (Paris to Le Mans-Nantes). Follow D1 through Vibraye and Berfay. La Barre is on the right, 5.5km after befray and 2km before St. Calais, right 600 metres after turn towards Conflans. Coming from Calais via Rouen, take the A28 and exit after Le Mans (E), then follow N157 just past St. Calais.