About Us
We are Rachna and Jaap. Together with our children Tijko & Enna and Rachna her parents Vera & Wilco we live at Chateau Barayre with three generations. So, if during your stay, you see an old man walking around with a broom or a rake, that's probably grandpa. Collectively we are enjoying the never ending renovation projects, family time, and the amazing revolving door of people from around the world!
In 2019 we moved from an international urban life to the French countryside. Without any background in tourism or alike, we made the choice for an adventurous life change with the idea of being able to enjoy more closely the first years of our children’s lives and discover a new sides of ourselves. That why we love do different things around the year. Our holiday guests obviously bring a very laid-back atmosphere enjoying the good life; the weddings are as beautiful as intense and bring unforgettable experiences and relations; the workshops (in which we often participate :) offer us creative and contemplative moments of growth; while the professional seminars we organize sometimes feel as a little flashback to our previous professional lives and link us to the theme’s that are dear to us.
Together with our guests, local friends and those from afar, family and collaborators, the past four years have been a fantastic journey full of surprises and new friends. They taught us so much and gave us new ideas and plans that makes us feel we just have started. We feel blessed to have the opportunity to live at this place filled with history and beauty and love to share our place. We look forward to welcome you!
Crazy to imagine, but in this place where once pope Clement the 5th walked around (1304), right in the frontline of the 100 year war - 11th, 12th century -, the apogee of the epoch of knights, castles and intriges, today we try to create a place with a laid-back vibe, where one can connect to nature, history and each other. A place where it's not about image, but intimacy, lots of laughs and a few tears of joy.
We believe there's no future of love,
if we don't show love for our future.
Eco- Responsible
Beside sustainable relationships, also a sustainable world please!
At Barayre we are building a beautiful and resilient place where people, animals and nature can flourish in balance. We care about the world around us and try live our lives and run the castle as sustainable as we can. This usually requires an extra bit of research, but proves to be a fun challenge. We learn and experiment with creative ideas that make our location and your holiday or party more sustainable. This makes things a bit different, often cheaper, always surprising and full of new insights. We make everything as fancy and comfortable as possible to help doubters. Relaxed guests are the most important goal, so ease and comfort are key. We try to inspire and offer good options. You choose. Your own ideas? Nice! Your input and creative ideas help us to make Barayre an even finer place
We BUILD sustainably. Among others, we use local untreated wood, old and fully natural chalk-based concrete, natural paint, eco-toilets and more.
We EAT sustainably from a classic dinner with local (organic) products. For your weddings, Holidays, and Retreats, we want to come alongside you to find the best food and most eco-responsible options!
We PARTY sustainably and aim for zero waste. We want to help you come up with the most sustainable elements to make your wedding day beautiful and fun! Food waste is fermented and goes to the compost on our grounds or is recycled. (example; no confetti but rose petals from the garden).