Can the château de la Barre be visited?

There is no verified information confirming the current visiting arrangements for the château.

Why was the château de la Barre left unfinished?

Its construction, begun around 1600 by Cécile de Monceaux, was halted in 1601 when the authorities in Angers feared she was building an impregnable Protestant fortress.

Who built the château de la Barre?

It was built for Cécile de Monceaux, widow of Jacques de Chivré and former lady in waiting to Catherine de Bourbon.

Does the château de la Barre have a link to Protestantism?

Yes, it was a centre of Protestant worship in the 17th century, hosting several pastors until public worship was banned there in 1665.

Château de la Barre

Barre Castle

Bierné-les-Villages

Access

No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Bierné-les-Villages

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Sleep nearby

This week in the agenda

Atelier-famille : "Complètement enluminé !"Tue, Oct 27 · château de Sainte-Suzanne34 km
Jeu de rôle "Château maudit"Tue, Oct 27 · château de Sainte-Suzanne34 km
Vacances de la Toussaint – Halloween au château du Plessis-BourréWed, Oct 28 · Château du Plessis-Bourré25 km

Château de la Barre stands in Bierné-les-Villages (Mayenne), in the Pays de la Loire region of France. No visits are on record for this building.

The château de la Barre stands in Bierné-les-Villages, in the Mayenne department, on the site of a 15th century residence. Built in the early 17th century for Cécile de Monceaux, it was meant to become a vast moated fortress with an underground gallery, but construction stopped in 1601 when the authorities in Angers grew wary of this Protestant stronghold. The place later served as a centre of Reformed worship, then as a gathering point for the Chouannerie in the 19th century, before being restored under architect Louis Garnier.

Written from Château de la Barre (Bierné)

What to know

The present château represents only part of the original project, which was left unfinished from 1601 onward.
The site retains moats and an underground gallery linked to the early 17th century construction.
The building underwent a full restoration at the end of the 19th century under architect Louis Garnier.
No verified information is available regarding opening hours, admission fees or visiting arrangements.

Where this château is

Bierné-les-Villages · Mayenne · Pays de la Loire

Map of the area around Château de la Barre

Loading the map…

This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

53290 Bierné-les-Villages

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

Get directions View on a map

Heritage status: Protection status unknown

Coming up at this château

Wed, October 28
Atelier de Peinture au Château de La Barre à Bierné.
Mayenne

In pictures

Frequently asked

Can the château de la Barre be visited?: There is no verified information confirming the current visiting arrangements for the château.
Why was the château de la Barre left unfinished?: Its construction, begun around 1600 by Cécile de Monceaux, was halted in 1601 when the authorities in Angers feared she was building an impregnable Protestant fortress.
Who built the château de la Barre?: It was built for Cécile de Monceaux, widow of Jacques de Chivré and former lady in waiting to Catherine de Bourbon.
Does the château de la Barre have a link to Protestantism?: Yes, it was a centre of Protestant worship in the 17th century, hosting several pastors until public worship was banned there in 1665.