from the stable boy's den to soft, country comfort
A humble masterclass in timeless restorationLe Barn—A 17th Century Barn Turned Chic Country Loft
We call it Le Barn because that is exactly what it once was.
A barn. (I know, we’re so clever with names, aren’t we?)
The structure has stood since 1626. In the old records of 1660, it says this was the place where the stable boy came to rest after a long day, surrounded by the syrup-sweet smell of hay, grain and horses. I like to imagine him climbing up here in the dark, his boots tired, the rafters creaking around him as he drifted off to sleep.
Today, the same place looks very different—though the feeling remains the same. It is still a space made for rest. Only now, there is underfloor heating and terracotta tiles instead of straw, and one of the softest bed in the estate, where once there was only a pile of hay.
Watch the Full Tour
If you prefer to see the transformation rather than read about it, the video tour shows how we turned a forgotten 17th century barn into one of our most loved guest houses.
A Wall of Blue and White
My favorite feature of Le Barn is the wall of blue and white china. It began as a tiny idea seven years ago and grew into a living artwork. I have been curating these plates one by one, and now the wall looks like a constellation of porcelain stars.
People often ask how I decide where each plate goes. The secret is not in measurement but in rhythm. I start with a single shape. For this wall, it was a triangle formed by three large plates and a mirror with a black frame —found ages ago under a pile of trash in london. Once that shape existed, the rest followed naturally. Triangles always work because they allow the eye to wander while feeling complete.
Most of the plates were rescued from flea markets and brocantes. Some cost a single euro, some fifty cents—and lets don’t kid ourselves… some cost a lot more than that. Their wires are a patchwork of practicality and invention. I have used electrical cables, old hangers, even bits of wire from lamps. None of it matters once the plates are on the wall. They hang together like a small rebellion against perfection. such is the anarchy in rich I ruled the interior design world.
When I added what may be the final three pieces, I realized that this wall has become a diary. Each plate carries a story, a time, a season. The chips, the cracks, the fingerprints on the glaze are all reminders that “beauty” does not need to last forever to be real.
Our First House Within Chateau Grounds
Le Barn was the first building we ever restored at Belebat, and perhaps that is why it feels like home to me. Working on it was peaceful, almost meditative.
When we found it, there was no floor, no staircase, and certainly no comfort. In the middle of the dirt stood a massive oil tank that once powered the château’s heating system. I told Jeff we could keep it and turn it into a barbecue. He looked at me and asked, “For what, a whole cow?” I had no answer, so it moved on.
Once the tank was gone, we started fresh. The walls were thick and loyal, still carrying the scent of dust and grain. The fireplace and the stone steps to the mezzanine came later. These are the only new elements in this place.
For the floors, we used reclaimed terracotta tiles—they are over 200 years old. Their color shifts with the light, from dusty rose to soft amber.
A Layout That Breathes
From the beginning, we wanted a layout that made sense for modern life while keeping the spirit of the old structure intact. The original render had hidden the stone beneath plaster, so we stripped everything to reveal the texture of time.
Upstairs, we built a bedroom within the masonry and opened the space above the kitchen to create a bathroom loft. The balance between old and new emerged naturally. History became the true architect and light its maker, moving through the rooms and shaping their mood.
Now there is a small dressing area that guests adore, a kitchen where mornings begin slowly, and a sitting room that opens toward the fire. Every detail invites calm rather than grandeur.
A Place Made for Rest
Le Barn has become one of our guests’ favorite retreats. It is small, cozy, and unpretentious. The fireplace burns through long evenings, and the light that enters in the morning feels almost sacred.
People come here to read, to write, to think, or simply to sit and listen to the countryside. The space asks nothing of you except to be present.
Sometimes, as I walk by, I look at it with proud eyes and feel grateful that we were allowed to listen to what the building wanted to become.
For Those Who Love the Slow Life
Turning this small barn into a living space took patience, creativity, and more learning than I expected. Now it holds everything it needs: a well-equipped kitchen, a warm living area, a quiet bedroom that faces the morning light, and a bathroom bathed in soft air.
Guests often tell me it feels like a home the moment they walk in. That is the greatest compliment. Le Barn has found its rhythm again, not through perfection but through care.
If you ever find yourself in the Loire Valley, come stay with us. Le Barn welcomes guests who want to experience château life at its gentlest pace. Wake to the sound of birds, wander through the unspoilt land around us, and end the day beside the fire.
You can book your stay here, and I will be here to greet you with coffee, stories, and the soft stillness that only old walls can offer.
