A dream for those passionate about historic cars!

Château de la Barre, July 5th to 8th 2012:

Elegance and authenticity meet with comfort and modernity in the ancestral home of Comte and Comtesse de Vanssay, surrounded by a 100 acre private park with 16th century fortifications. When not “at the track”, simply enjoy relaxed, aristocratic living, or visit picturesque villages with XIIth century romanesque churches repleat with frescoes, vineyards, magnificient gardens, not forgetting the Plantagenet city of Le Mans, stage set to numerous films. And of course the famed Loire valley castles.

From 486 euros for 3 nights in one of the elegant rooms of Château de la Barre. VIP welcome drink, a private tour of the château, daily English breakfasts and afternoon tea served.

A midsummer night's dream!

Château de la Barre, July 26-30 & August 2-6 2012:

Exclusive private concert weekends under the patronage of John Nelson, honorary musical director of the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris and renowned Orchestra Director: A midsummer night's dream full of music, colour, history and elegance.

Thursday 26 July:
- VIP welcome for tea and drinks at Château de la Barre, hosted by Comte & Comtesse de Vanssay;
- Private musical evening followed by a dinner at the Château de La Vaudourière, hosted by Darienne Basset-Geraghty, Vice-President of the Festival, in the presence of Comte Guy de Brantes, President of the Festival.

Friday July 27 July:
- Visit of the famous Chenonceau Castle & Amboise Royal Palace;
- Concert on the theme "Brothers & Sisters" at Moulin Paillard in Poncé. Beethoven N°32 and Schubert, as well as Philippe Hersant, who will personally present his compositions. Violins: Deborah and Sarah Nemtanu; Alto: Adrien La Marca; Cellos: Christian-Pierre La Marca, Raphael Perraud;
- Supper with the artists at Moulin Paillard, hosted by James & Shelly Porter.

Saturday 28 July:
- Château Chêne de Coeur: lunch hosted by Comte & Comtesse Ogier d'Ivry in their private XVIIth century château followed by a guided visit of the Medieval Plantagenêt city of Le Mans;
- Jazz concert with Yaron Herman's Trio (Yaron's last recording "Follow the Rabbit" made history), followed by dinner with the artists at the Orfrasière.

Sunday 29 July:
- Sunday brunch at Château La Vaudourière;
- Concert "From Vienna to Prague" at St Martin’s church in Lunay. Haydn, Brahms, Dvorak and Janacek. Piano: Franck Braley; Violins: Deborah & Sarah Nemtanu; Alto: Adrien La Marca and Cello: Raphael Perraud, head chello soloist for the National Orchestra of France;
- Private tea reception and tour of the Garden of Sasnières by owner Rosamée Henrion, sister-in-law of former President Giscard d'Estaing.
- Dinner al fresco by the Loir River at the gourmet restaurant "Le Relais d'Antan" in the beautiful village of Lavardin.

Monday 30 July:
- Visit the famous Cheverny and Chambord Castle, with a picnic lunch at Château de Troussay, hosted by owner Baron de Sainte Marie;
- Champagne cocktail in the grand salon of Château de la Barre, and Grand Siècle dinner in the XVIIth century dining room.

*****

Thursday 2 August:
- VIP welcome at Château de la Barre by Comte & Comtesse de Vanssay;
- Champagne cocktail in the grand salon and Grand Siècle dinner in the XVIIth century dining room.

Friday 3 August:
- Visit of the famous Chenonceau Castle & Amboise Royal Palace;
- Private tea and wine tasting reception at Château de Valmer, hosted by Comte & Comtesse de Saint Venant;
- Concert on the theme "The heat of the night" at Château de La Bourdaisière in honour of the centennial of Jean Françaix's birth. Mozart, Françaix, Borodine & Schoenberg. With the Ensemble Musique Oblique and 1st Alto: Christophe Gaugué and 1st Cello: Guillaume Paoletti;
- Dinner hosted by Prince Charles Albert de Broglie in the château gardens.

Saturday 4 August:
- Château Chêne de Coeur: lunch hosted by Comte & Comtesse Ogier d’Ivry in their private XVIIth century château followed by guided visit of the Medieval Plantagenêt city of Le Mans.
- Music of the World Concert "At the heart of the Yiddish and Gypsy Soul", including "A Yiddish Mame" with the Sirba Octet. 1st and 2nd Violin: Richard Schmoucler and Christian Brière; Piano: Laurent Boukobza; Bass: Bernard Cazauran;
- Supper with the artists at Château de Poncé, hosted by Comte & Comtesse de Malherbe.

Sunday 5 August:
- Sunday brunch at La Vaudourière, hosted by Darienne Basset-Geraghty;
- Concert "The heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire" in the Cathedral Madeleine in Vendôme. Haydn, Kodaly, Bartok and Schubert. Piano: Arthur Schoonderwoerd;, Violin: Raphael Oleg; Alto: Christophe Gaugué; 1st Cello: Guillaume Paoletti; Bass: Eckhard Rudolph;
- Private tea reception and tour of the Garden of Sasnières by owner Rosamée Henrion, sister-in-law of former President Giscard d’Estaing;
- Dinner al fresco by the Loir River at the gourmet restaurant "LeRelais d’Antan" in the beautiful village of Lavardin.

Monday 6 August:
- Visit the famous Cheverny and Chambord Castle, with a picnic lunch at Château de Troussay, hosted by owner Baron de Sainte Marie.

Limited availability. 3 nights' minimum stay. Price upon request, according to dates and events chosen.