New Year At Château de La Barre
An Experience of a Lifetime – Leonardo da Vinci invites you into his home to celebrate a Renaissance New Year 2008/2009. An exclusive event, part of a festive tailor-made holiday at Chateau de La Barre, where you and your family/friends will be the guests of Comte and Comtesse de Vanssay, in their ancestral home in the Loire Valley.
December 30th
Step back a few centuries in time, as you are warmly welcomed by Guy and Marnie de Vanssay.
After a champagne reception in one of the ornate drawing rooms, and a visit of the château, the evening
continues with a cheese and vintage wine tasting supper in the billiard room, in front of the monumental
XIVth century fireplace...
December 31st
Your chauffeur driven day begins with a visit to the Chenonceau Castle, then
a drive past the Royal Palace of Amboise to Leonardo da Vinci’s home, Le Clos
Lucé. There, slip into your costumes, pre-ordered to your measurements, and
discover the unique culinary art of the Renaissance. Under the direction
of Sieur Sausin, masterchef having served the high and mighty of this world
from Nicholas Sarkozy (current president of France) and François Mitterand,
and many more. Your gala dinner will be served with all the costumes, musicians
and jugglers that would have been present around 1530...
January 1st
Relax by the fireside of the Salon Rose then depart to explore the Abbey de
L’Epau, built by Richard the Lionheart's widow, followed by the remarkably
restored old city of Le Mans, home of the Plantagenet Kings and stage set
to numerous films. Return to Château de La Barre for a festive dinner with
all the family silver and crystal, in the prestigious grand dining room, as
if you were in 1780...
January 2nd
Stroll around the Renaissance Château of Courtanvaux, discover the court poet Ronsards’
manor house La Possonnière, meditate in the XIIIth century romanesque chapel of Montoire, hike through the
troglodyte village of Trôo, and dine out at the gourmet restaurant of Le Relais d’Antin in the
beautiful village of Lavardin.
January 3rd
After a lazy brunch, depart with a special present from the château to begin
2009 in style.
