DOMAINE DE LA BARONNIE
Chic baronial beauty on buzzy Ile de Ré
PIERRE AND FLORENCE PALLARDY have turned Domaine de la Baronnie, their aristocratic 18th century mansion (it was once owned by Louis XVI) on the island-jewel of Ile de Ré, into an oasis of well-being. She's an ex model and he's a successful osteopath who runs a practice on site.
Sitting in a peaceful parkland setting set back from the capital St Martin de Ré's summertime bustle, La Baronnie is steeped in French baronial hauteur, imbued with new-age friendliness. The hotel's next door smaller sister property, Domaine du Bien-Etre, is similarly historic.
Big wrought iron gates wrap the Domaine in privacy, while the courtyard – bursting with honeysuckle, jasin and oleander in summer – is an inviting spot to sit and write postcards. High ceilinged, parquet floored rooms are decorated with refinement: you'll find lots of period antiques, Persian rugs and kelims, and rich fabrics. A wonderful sheltered garden adds to the sense of tranquillity, and such fetching surroundings work wonders on the psyche.
Hit the Spot
A quiet enclave in St Martin de Ré
Bedtime
La Tour des Amis is the most romantic, though we also loved tastefully traditional Madame de Sévigné.
Be Savvy
The vibe is beautiful baronial, not barefoot beachy
Be Smitten
An aristocratic island haven
Cobblestone courtyard
Bedrooms at Domaine de la Baronnie have evocative names, so you could get acquainted with Monsieur de Beauséjour or (our favourite) Madame de Sévigné, done out in dove greys and pinks and with a lush green outlook. Each has its own allure, whether it’s a richly draped canopied bed, views over the pretty flowered garden, or characterful containment (with authentically steep stairs) in one of the towers. Take a double room with a garden view – or a roomier family-style courtyard suite.
Buffet breakfasts are served in the airy, timber-floored dining room or lush garden. And you won’t go hungry at night, with ocean-fresh seafood on the menu du jour in St Martin de Ré's many nearby restaurants.
Pierre, a well known osteopath, provides therapeutic massage and a range of special treatments, so it's the perfect place to pack in some pampering. This is also a place to get the wind in your hair and pedal off to miles of peachy beaches and dunes.
Domaine de la Baronnie was reviewed by Room for Romance
Sitting in a peaceful parkland setting set back from the capital St Martin de Ré's summertime bustle, La Baronnie is steeped in French baronial hauteur, imbued with new-age friendliness. The hotel's next door smaller sister property, Domaine du Bien-Etre, is similarly historic.
Big wrought iron gates wrap the Domaine in privacy, while the courtyard – bursting with honeysuckle, jasin and oleander in summer – is an inviting spot to sit and write postcards. High ceilinged, parquet floored rooms are decorated with refinement: you'll find lots of period antiques, Persian rugs and kelims, and rich fabrics. A wonderful sheltered garden adds to the sense of tranquillity, and such fetching surroundings work wonders on the psyche.
Hit the Spot
A quiet enclave in St Martin de Ré
Bedtime
La Tour des Amis is the most romantic, though we also loved tastefully traditional Madame de Sévigné.
Be Savvy
The vibe is beautiful baronial, not barefoot beachy
Be Smitten
An aristocratic island haven
Cobblestone courtyard
Bedrooms at Domaine de la Baronnie have evocative names, so you could get acquainted with Monsieur de Beauséjour or (our favourite) Madame de Sévigné, done out in dove greys and pinks and with a lush green outlook. Each has its own allure, whether it’s a richly draped canopied bed, views over the pretty flowered garden, or characterful containment (with authentically steep stairs) in one of the towers. Take a double room with a garden view – or a roomier family-style courtyard suite.
Buffet breakfasts are served in the airy, timber-floored dining room or lush garden. And you won’t go hungry at night, with ocean-fresh seafood on the menu du jour in St Martin de Ré's many nearby restaurants.
Pierre, a well known osteopath, provides therapeutic massage and a range of special treatments, so it's the perfect place to pack in some pampering. This is also a place to get the wind in your hair and pedal off to miles of peachy beaches and dunes.
Domaine de la Baronnie was reviewed by Room for Romance
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Dining in
Only breakfast is served. Expect fresh market produce very much in keeping with the owners' philosophy of peace and wellbeing.
Dining out
Great food is just a short walk away in Saint-Martin. It's a great place for fresh seafood, and among excellent local restaurants is the waterside Le Serghi. Have a chat with your hosts – they know all the best places in town and will point you towards the best Ile de Ré has to offer.
Where?
Domaine de la Baronnie
What’s cooking?
Clean-living, healthy breakfasts
Dress the part
Your holiday wardrobe will do nicely
Top table?
Out in the garden on sunny mornings
See & Do
Hop into the saddle – Ile de Ré has over 100km of cycle track especially for you and your rental bike. A bird sanctuary is close by, and you really get a sense of nature along the island's untamed, wild beaches and peachy sands. You'll find plenty of old villages to call into for a cooling beer or citron pressé. Check out Saint-Martin's eye-catching harbour, citadel and museum, and enjoy its summer-resort buzz.
Shop
This is the place to pick up chic beachwear and sandals. Home decoration shops are also plentiful in Saint-Martin.
After dark
Saint-Martin has some great nightlife, with bars and discos dotted around the town. Head for the waterfront and you won't be far from the action. On the mainland, Le Cohiba in La Rochelle is a lively Latino bar serving exotic cocktails.
Dates
May
Yachties from around France arrive to take part in the colourful Tour de L'ile de Ré.
June
Cavalcade in La Rochelle marks the onset of summer with two days of fanfares, parades and music.
August
Literature rules: the book festival hits Ile de Ré.
Only breakfast is served. Expect fresh market produce very much in keeping with the owners' philosophy of peace and wellbeing.
Dining out
Great food is just a short walk away in Saint-Martin. It's a great place for fresh seafood, and among excellent local restaurants is the waterside Le Serghi. Have a chat with your hosts – they know all the best places in town and will point you towards the best Ile de Ré has to offer.
Where?
Domaine de la Baronnie
What’s cooking?
Clean-living, healthy breakfasts
Dress the part
Your holiday wardrobe will do nicely
Top table?
Out in the garden on sunny mornings
See & Do
Hop into the saddle – Ile de Ré has over 100km of cycle track especially for you and your rental bike. A bird sanctuary is close by, and you really get a sense of nature along the island's untamed, wild beaches and peachy sands. You'll find plenty of old villages to call into for a cooling beer or citron pressé. Check out Saint-Martin's eye-catching harbour, citadel and museum, and enjoy its summer-resort buzz.
Shop
This is the place to pick up chic beachwear and sandals. Home decoration shops are also plentiful in Saint-Martin.
After dark
Saint-Martin has some great nightlife, with bars and discos dotted around the town. Head for the waterfront and you won't be far from the action. On the mainland, Le Cohiba in La Rochelle is a lively Latino bar serving exotic cocktails.
Dates
May
Yachties from around France arrive to take part in the colourful Tour de L'ile de Ré.
June
Cavalcade in La Rochelle marks the onset of summer with two days of fanfares, parades and music.
August
Literature rules: the book festival hits Ile de Ré.
GETTING THERE
Location
Rue Baron de Chantal, 17410 Saint-Martin de Ré
Parking
There is free guest parking
Trains
La Rochelle – 25km
Taxis
EUR 40 from the station
Airport
La Rochelle – 15km
Rooms and suites
Three rooms, three suites
Special features
Individually styled rooms match comfort with design flair.
Also…
You'll find peaceful gardens to relax in.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 210 – 280
Open/closed
Closed between the 5 November – 1 April
Check-in
2pm
Check-out
11am
Minimum night stay?
Two nights
Breakfast
Buffet breakfast is served until 10.30am
Room service
No
Children
Welcome
Pets
No
Air conditioning
No
Languages
French and English
Wedding license?
No
Eco conscience
Your hosts recycle, which is rare on the island.
Your contact
Florence and Pierre Pallardy – owners
Location
Rue Baron de Chantal, 17410 Saint-Martin de Ré
Parking
There is free guest parking
Trains
La Rochelle – 25km
Taxis
EUR 40 from the station
Airport
La Rochelle – 15km
Rooms and suites
Three rooms, three suites
Special features
Individually styled rooms match comfort with design flair.
Also…
You'll find peaceful gardens to relax in.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 210 – 280
Open/closed
Closed between the 5 November – 1 April
Check-in
2pm
Check-out
11am
Minimum night stay?
Two nights
Breakfast
Buffet breakfast is served until 10.30am
Room service
No
Children
Welcome
Pets
No
Air conditioning
No
Languages
French and English
Wedding license?
No
Eco conscience
Your hosts recycle, which is rare on the island.
Your contact
Florence and Pierre Pallardy – owners
