I have been trying to get here for 14 years and I finally made it. Every other time I've been in Newport, it has always been closed. You walk in and my jaw dropped looking at the paintings on the stairs. Like they painted everything. Each room is more and more magnificent and I would argue I find this more breathtaking than the Elms. It's the details in the rooms for me, not the size of it. I didn't go on a guided tour but at some point would love to see more of the rooms, there were a certain number available to us yesterday. I think this actually just became my favorite to visit, honestly. I know a lot of people make comments about how dark it is, buuuut have you heard of how you need that for preservation purposes? I also have an eye condition so for me, it was actually welcome to walk through and not feel like I'm being blinded. The soft lighting I found to be wonderful, personally. read more

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LOVED this home so very much! My sister and I decided to visit three of the mansions on our way home from Cape Cod last week. They certainly did not disappoint but this home went above and beyond. So very homey and unique for its time period. The husband's bedroom was my absolute favorite with the gold leaf ceiling, lemon wallpaper, and swallow border. read more

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Chateau-sur-Mer is a different style of Newport mansion. It's beautiful but not in the traditional sense of gilded age mansions. It's more Addams Family gilded age castle, if that makes sense. It's filled with treasures including the beautiful silk wall paper. It's a must see. read more

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Château-sur-Mer was built in 1852, much earlier than the other Newport mansions one can tour. It began as an Italianate style year-round home, but was later renovated in the French Second Empire style. The arts and crafts interior is ornate, featuring many natural scenes. The tree of life mural, in particular, weaves its way not only up three flights of stairs, but also through the ceilings in the great hall. It's worth the time to download the audio tour and listen to it throughout the house. We visited in early April right after it re-opened for the season. Château-sur-Mer is not open year-round. Because it was off season, there were few people touring while we were there. The home is gorgeous and can be seen in about an hour or so--more if you walk the grounds. It was raining when we visited, so we skipped the outside. read more

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Unlike some of the largest mansions, this home had a tour guide which has it's pluses and minuses. You can't walk around on your own, but you also get a live person to answer your questions for you. Our guide was very knowledgeable and could answer all the questions. The house seemed a little dark vs the others. However, this house was built 50 years before the larger ones, so that might account for a different style. It's still worth seeing. read more

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One of the first Newport mansions with exciting history but not as beautiful as The Breakers, Rosecliff, or Marble House. Really knowledgeable and passionate staff. Make sure you get a pass to visit 5 mansions (you can also upgrade on the go). read more

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Ever wanted a close encounter? When I toured the Chateau-sur-Mer, I had an eerie feeling inside. I took pictures during the tour and majority came out blurry. It felt there was spirits hanging around and gave me goose bumps. With the dark lighting ambience and Victorian decor. It felt that I was touring the a hunted house. The tour was very informative and short. There are limited areas to be viewed by the public. Overall, the tour was educational on how people buy opulent decor, paintings and furniture during the Victorian era. read more

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While not as big or famous as some of the other mansions, still a nice place to visit. The house has a lot of interesting features including additions and remodels. It was interesting to hear about when and where those were completed. The family had a history worth hearing about as well. Our guide was OK. The tour seemed a bit rehearsed and there were a lot of "ummms". The person selling tickets up front was very matter of fact. It was nice to walk the grounds afterwards. All of the trees are labeled and the grounds well kept. read more

Chateau-sur-Mer - Big tree out front. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

Chateau-sur-Mer is a refreshing change from the younger, bigger, more ostentatious (and audio-tour-only) Big Four (Breakers, Elms, Marble House, Rosecliff) Newport mansions. The walls are covered in beautifully carved wood - all the rage in the mid 1850s - including the only two rooms remaining in the entire US that were designed and carved by Florence masters (and then disassembled, brought to Chateau-sur-Mer, and reassembled). It is really nice to have the personal attention of a guide, and it makes for a much more pleasant experience than the audio tours (where everyone is in their own little world and ignores each other). It's also nice to be able to ask questions - the docents are so well informed!! read more

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I didn't realize this mansion was a mandatory guided tour. I'm both a historian and work in a museum so I appreciate the thought, care, research and (hopefully) fact checking that went into the script of the tour. My gripe with the mandatory tour is that not many people like history. An hour guided tour is long, even for me--after all, we're standing the entire time. That's where the mistake is I believe... Everyone is touring all the mansions during the day, doing Cliff walk, so our feet are tired! Or was that only me? Our guide seemed tired of reiterating the narrative of the tour. My family doesn't understand English well, so they checked out mentally (they came for the architecture). Narration for each room was long but really informative for those that can hang on. I'm not sure how long it was but my group of 8 had to leave after the 3rd room. We were on a tight schedule so we honestly couldn't commit the full hour there. I did feel bad leaving but I think once we left, others also saw a chance to sneak out too. Other reviews are spot on with house being smaller and feels more livable. Strongly suggest others to evaluate your schedule before committing 1 hour here. Perhaps moving through each room faster with 2-3 facts and highlights would make it more pleasurable. Cut it to 30 minutes. Or even give two options, 30 min or 60 min. read more

Chateau-sur-Mer is different than all the other mansions we saw that day...possibly because it was a Chateau and not a mansion. Unlike the large mansions, this was a tour with a real tour guide so you ask questions and have a more interactive experience. I believe our guide said this was the first home build in the area that made way for the large mansions that were later built. Because of the materials used to build it and the history of the building, you can see more of the building's age. We had a small tour group of 4 so the tour went pretty fast, lasting a little under an hour. I am glad we were able to see this one, but honestly, I could have done with being able to spend more time at the Elms, than rushing to get to this one. You should still try to see this, but make sure you manage your time well so you can see everything you really want to see without rushing. read more

This was our favorite mansion tour in Newport. The thing that made it special was the personal guided tour, as opposed to the audio tours. It's really something to be able to listen to stories about the house, ask questions to the guide, and to just learn from someone who really appreciates & cares for the mansion. The tour almost seems too short, partly because they're still restoring some of the house's water damage, and partly because it was just really interesting! I'm going to let you all discover the cool stories for yourself, so I'll spare you the details of Chateau-sur-Mer. But I will mention that the grounds outside of the mansion are absolutely gorgeous! I mean, there's a croquet field, complete with little bleachers! The Moon Gate is the star (pun intended) of the property. There are even little stairs that go up and over it, but I didn't have the guts to climb the weather-worn steps. Chateau-sur-Mer certainly isn't as big or flashy as some of the other mansions, and it's not on the water (in spite of its name), but it's very beautiful & definitely worth a visit when you come to Newport. read more

So far, among all the Newport Mansions, this is my favorite. It has a lot of character and it actually looks livable and practical. All the others look like they're just for show and looks too much. The size of this mansion looks more reasonable. The interior still has a lot of furniture and they made it interesting and restored it to fit the time that it represents. This mansion actually looks like a house where all those Victorian movies are set on. The tour is much better too since it is with a tour guide unlike the audio tour that the other mansions offer. They also have a lot of trees in the field that are imported, while some are just local. There was this particular tree, i think it was a willow tree where you can go under. Loved it! read more

Great mansion to visit! The exterior is pretty spooky which is why I wanted to check it out. It's worth the visit, the tour guides are friendly and give great insight on the story behind the castle by the sea! read more

Chateau-sur-Mer - Spooky feel! I love it - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

Maybe it was our mistake by going to the two most amazing mansions (The Elms and The Breakers) the day before visiting Chateau-sur-Mer. The preservation of the mansion was great, but...I, along with what seemed like everyone else in the tour group, wanted to die after 5 minutes of the tour. It was terribly boring, and I still have no idea who owned the mansion. I don't even think it had a kitchen. I don't think it was even a mansion, just a big house, really. The tour guide was super boring, but knew what she was talking about. This mansion made me realize I will never torture my children by bringing them to things like this at age 13. Just make sure you do this one first, last, or never. read more

It was okay. The tour guide was very knowledgable. But the front desk woman was pretty rude, very SLOW, a bit racist. Every staff member is just very slow... read more

One of the many historic mansions in Newport, and worth a visit. However, if you are short on time,you may want to pass in favor of Rough Point, the Breakers, or one of the other more highly-rated mansions. read more

As a newspaper article reads: You will love it or think it's butt-ugly. This Victorian era home will grow on you. It's quite fascinating. Lots of detail. Different from the gilded homes. This house is 40-50 years older, so it's a totally different style. Check it out. read more

Of the five Newport Gilded Age mansions that my partner and I visited these past few days, Chateau-sur-Mer (CsM) is my favorite. It's my favorite because it is opulent, but also accessible. Unlike, say, The Breakers, CsM feels like a home (and not a house). Of the five houses open for tours at this time, CsM is the only mansion that doesn't offer audio tours. While our tour guide, a middle-aged African-American woman, was very articulate and knowledgeable, we were herded throughout the rooms. As a result, I only gave CsM four stars. They really should consider audio tours. read more

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Chateau-sur-Mer was the first Newport Mansion that I have ever visited. They offer a guided tour and our guide, Barbara, was excellent. The Newport Preservation Society staff was very friendly, knowledgeable and professional. The mansion offers a glimpse into aristocratic life during the Victorian era in America. It is one of the older mansions and I am glad that I got the chance to check it out. I recommend it! read more

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This is one of the smaller mansions in Newport, but it is elegant, richly furnished and well maintained. The tour guide Donato was very informative not only about the house, but the family that lived there. The exterior is also unique. This is a nice "go-see" if you've been to the larger mansions and wanted to see something a little different. read more

Chateau-sur-Mer - Chateau-sue-Mer - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

Of all the Newport Mansions to tour, would say that I enjoyed Chateau-sur-Mer the least. But I think it was because of the tour guide, I hate to say that but she was a bit slow talking and went on a little to long in the first room that I did something that I felt really bad about. My husband was giving me the stink eye and I mouthed that I was already bored and we haven't even really left the first room and so when they all moved on, we didn't join and left for another mansion. We bought a pass (so recommend the pass) and it there was only an hour left to use it so we jutted off to a different mansion. Basically, I would save this one for the bottom of your list, if you are in a time constraint. read more

Great tour. This one's a live tour with a docent (the Breakers uses headsets with prerecorded material). This house is a stark comparison to the Breakers. Its much smaller, has far more wood working, and some Arts and Crafts wallpaper and furniture. We visited this one later in a day that also included a visit to the Breakers. I highly recommend seeing both on a visit to Newport. read more

Chateau-sur-Mer was another beautiful Newport Mansion that I visited. We took a short guided tour which was interesting. It is a darker house which is very different than the Breakers or Marble House but I did enjoy it a lot. read more

This was the first of the Newport Mansions I visited. Our tour guide was a charming and knowledgeable old man; I quite enjoyed his commentary. I must say I am partial to the architectural style of The Breakers. While cherubs and bright colors lined the walls of The Breakers, the Chateau had more bats, darker coloring, less sunlight, etc. However, in its individual capacity, the Chateau is a beautiful Mansion and definitely worth seeing. read more

This was the first Newport mansion we visited and we really enjoyed it. Unlike the other larger ostentatious mansions, this was warm and cozy feeling. The tour was guided by a very cordial and knowledgable person instead of a taped recording. It was a much better tour experience than the recorded ones. read more

Gorgeous 1850s historic home with lush grounds really wowed me. I've been to the Breakers and Marble House but I think this was my favorite, perhaps because it was built and used as a year-round residence and because it's more "intimate" and less "palatial" than those other, larger mansions. Our tour guide was excellent, providing a lot of detail on both the house and the family that lived in it. Meanwhile the grounds are gorgeous, with dozens of "specimen" trees, including a weeping beech and a weeping Japanese pagoda tree. read more

Sure it is another amazing Newport mansion, I'm just not much of a Victorian style fan. If you are, I'm sure you'll love it.

Do yourself a favor and do the smaller mansions first. Sur Le Mer was very nice. Only a guided tour. About 60 minutes but does not compare to the Breakers. read more

Comparatively, this is one of the lower-on-the-totem-pole properties on the Mansions Tours list. But, to be fair to everyone... this was probably one of my husband's favorites. It's a gorgeous property and the guide was very informed and loved sharing his information. It just isn't quite as impressive as the others. Now for the tour guide: One of the ladies on our tour was a blind woman. Our tour guide did a PHENOMENAL job of describing every minute detail of the property. I've never heard such extravagant words used to describe a wall covering (in this case fabric, not paper) or the details etched into wood carvings. Usually you aren't allowed to touch anything in the mansions, but the guide took her by the hand and let her feel some of the intricate details in multiple things throughout the house. If you have the time, do the 5-property pass. It's actually the best deal. I just wouldn't suggest trying to fit them all in one day... it's exhausting. read more

Aside from the forced guided tour and overhyed monkeyseat, this was my favorite property.

Well worth the visit. We caught the last tour of the day with a docent named Bill. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and engaging. We learned a ton. The house, its contents, and former inhabitants are fascinating, and Bill did a great job bringing them to life. read more

This was a very unique mansion and I enjoyed it a lot. My favorite thing about it is how much of it's contents are actually original whereas at the other mansions, the items are not. It was definitely worth the money. The tour guides were very knowledge. read more

This was a beautiful home with a very interesting mix of design and architectural approaches. The woodwork alone is to die for. My guide, Kelsey, really brought the history alive and spoke on many aspects of the living and physical histories of the house. read more

Incredible victorian mansion on 12 acres of beautiful lanws and gardens. Hand carved room interiors from Italy, hand tooled leather wall coverings in the dining room. First large ball room in Newport. read more

So much art and the tour guide made little or no reference to the masterpieces: case in point, the Mary Cassat!

This Newport mansion is a beautiful place to visit. It is rich with architectural history. The tour guide was professional and knowledgeable. My family and I wish we could have seen more of the house and learn more about the personal lives of the residents. read more