Domaine de la Baronnie
Ile de Ré, France
The grande dame in town, this mansion hotel oozes history, along with style and comfort in a park-like setting
Enter through heavy iron gates and step into some French
history. La Baronnie is a stone mansion with 18th century
French baronial pedigree. Unlike other
‘town-house-turned-hotels’ commonly found in St. Martin
de Ré, the island's busy capital town, La Baronnie is much
grander in scale. The hotel is imposing, inside and out. Think
summer home away from the palace (albeit on a smaller scale) and
you’ll be about right, though the ambience is not at all
royal, more well-to-do, family friendly. (If you want something
more intimate, book at the Baronnie's baby brother next door,
Domaine du Bien-Etre.)
The Pallardys - he a famed osteopath, she a model turned interior
designer - have sympathetically restored the place, keeping
histories intact but not forgetting about guests' comfort. The
accommodations have a French traditional decor, with bucolic views.
After a day of discovering the best of Ré, including the
town harbour (only moments away from the hotel), return to what
feels like your own grand home, leaving the commoners behind, so to
speak.

Reviewed by Judy Naftulin
Last updated
03 September 2010
Highs
- The building is a historic gem with very interesting interiors and personal touches everywhere
- Quiet gardens to relax, away from the summertime crowds, lurking just outside the gates
- Great location, with harbour and all that town offers moments away
- The owners really know the island inside out and have lots of suggestions for your time there
Lows
- 18th century décor is a bit sober and heavy-looking, which may not appeal to those on a beach holiday
- Florence can sometimes be hard to track down - don't expect 24 hour room service
A very simple, very beautifully done chateau - and yet you're in a beach environment...
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