Jean-Benoît-Vincent Barré

Jean Benoît Vincent Barré learned architecture in the school of Antoine Matthieu Le Carpentier, from whom he also derived part of his clientele.

He worked for very rich patrons, erecting sumptuous and elegant buildings, perfectly fitted to the taste of the day.

Through Nettine's influence, he was commissioned to build Brussels' Place Royale/Koningsplein, Church of St. James on Coudenberg, and French embassy.

In 1770, Barré was named inspector of the buildings for the king's gunpowder and saltpeter, during which appointment he built his best-known work, the château du Marais (1772–1779), for Jean Le Maître de La Martinière, treasurer-general of the artillery.

In 1772, Barré gave himself over to property speculation in the Nouvelle France quartier of Paris, in association with Jean-François Perrin de Cypierre, intendent of the généralité of Orléans.