Near Châtellerault, this estate offers a unique setting and sumptuous decorations for future brides and grooms.
In the small, cosy, intimate château style, it has no equivalent in the Vienne. At least not to my knowledge. Located in Thuré, a few kilometers from Châtellerault, Château de la Barbelinière is one of the few estates that ticks all the boxes for a successful wedding. Because here, everything has been thought of to make your big day a magical moment, that "enchanted interlude" I often tell brides and grooms about.
All you have to do is step through the white gates to realize this. Behind the immense hundred-year-old cedars and majestic firs, which seem to form a hedge of honor as you pass, the castle perches on its promontory. Turned three-quarter around, it offers its most beautiful perspective, bristling with its 4 towers and unfurling its immense terrace.
Already, the most beautiful projections are coming to life, and we can see ourselves celebrating the happiest day of our lives with a glass of champagne in hand, welcoming our guests as if the property were our own. Because that's exactly the feeling that (real) owners Marie-Laure and Arnaud de Bélinay wanted to create: for a weekend, this is your home!
Photographer's paradise
This impression is prolonged when, beneath the splendid marquise, you cross the threshold. Stepping inside is like taking a trip back in time, invoking your childhood dreams and revisiting your favourite books. And so, on discovering the tapestries adorning the walls of the marvellous blue drawing room, the velvet-covered armchairs, the fine, sculpted furniture, the author of these lines thought he saw, in a moment of madness, Philéas Fogg playing Whist and smoking a pipe with the members of the Reform Club. And, of course, taking up his insane wager to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days. It doesn't take much to be won over by the premises and see the full potential of this salon, which lends itself wonderfully to preparations, and the adjoining, more intimate pink room for couples' sessions.
To tell the truth, everything here is a pretext for cliché. And it's a photographer's paradise, which I believe is due to two things. The château is inhabited all year round, giving us the warm feeling of being at home here. And in addition to the decor, which is perfectly in keeping with the style of this small château, there are the large volumes that create real depth. The interplay of mirrors, backlighting, skylights... It's a real eye-opener. Particularly noteworthy are the beautiful main wooden staircase, ideal for splendid staging, and the immense terrace offering a singular view of the château.
5 hectares of greenery
To host your ceremonies, cocktails or garden parties, the park offers 5 hectares of greenery. There are plenty of shady spots under the tall trees, and when the golden hour rolls around, a whole new world comes to life. The silhouette of the château becomes sharper, the leaves are filled with pearls of light and faces soften.
Your party will take place in one, two or three barns specially fitted out for weddings, accommodating up to 520 covers. Everything is ready to party the night away. Set up your photobooth and trust the DJ to set the mood.
After a short night, with your head still in the stars, take a dip in the pool before sharing a final brunch with your guests. On the way back, you're sure to come across Arnaud surveying the estate on his Peugeot 103, an orange moped that backfires with joy at every throttle. Another sight worth seeing.
Florent Bouteiller
Photographer-videographer Les Noces de Florent
Careful owners
After a career in the audiovisual industry, Marie-Laure and Arnaud de Bélinay settled at Château de la Barbelinière with their 2 children in 2010. Owned by the family for 50 years, the property has undergone extensive renovation to accommodate weddings. From May to October, Château de la Barbelinière welcomes weddings, anniversaries, gala dinners and seminars.
Although Marie-Laure and Arnaud have hosted countless guests in recent years, their experience is invaluable. Always ready to listen to their brides and grooms, they are also very good at giving advice on what is and isn't a good idea. If you're looking for a service provider (DJ, babysitter, photographer, caterer, etc.), they'll be able to point you in the right direction. In French as well as in English, since these tireless travelers - when they're not looking after their guests - have a perfect command of the language of Shakespeare. Another detail that's far from negligible.
Practical information
Château de la Barbelinière, Thuré (86)
1 h 15 from Paris by TGV.
From 70 to 500 guests
Price: from €3850
Numerous luxury beds in the château and gîtes.
Website: www.labarbeliniere.com
Contact Marie-Laure de Bélinay on 06 60 26 33 64 or labarbeliniere@gmail.com
Les Noces de Florent, your wedding photographer
A former journalist, I offer to immortalize the biggest day of your life in photo or video. An enthusiast of reportage, I like to freeze for eternity the expressions and details that make up the most beautiful memories of a wedding. Those that, taken on the spot, reveal a feeling, betray an emotion. In 2023, I was able to shoot two weddings at Château de la Barbelinière, a magical place that inspires me greatly. As unique as it is fleeting, a wedding is a suspended moment in the story of a lifetime. So don't miss out on the memories that will last a lifetime. Les Noces de Florent is an experience. A unique vision for a unique day: yours.
SEE Audrey & Olivier's wedding at Château de la Barbelinière
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