Valentine’s Day: three romantic getaways near Paris

This Valentine’s Day, treat yourself to an enchanted break just a stone’s throw from Paris. Here are three exceptional places to set down your suitcases for a memorable getaway.

Vaux-de-Cernay Abbey: a setting steeped in history

Just a twenty-minute drive from the Rambouillet train station, the Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay, a former Cistercian monastery, is a place steeped in charm and history. The hotel, listed as a historic monument, is set in the heart of a vast green park populated by swans and even alpacas.

Interior designer Cordelia de Castellane has succeeded in magnifying the space by blending British influences with a Châtelain aesthetic. The 147 rooms and suites are decorated with floral tapestries and Jouy canvases, testimony to its rich past. The park invites you to take romantic strolls, go boating or relax at the spa, where Tata Harper, a natural cosmetics brand, offers refined treatments.

For meals, the choice is vast: the James Bar offers a relaxed atmosphere with gourmet dishes, while Les Chasses celebrates sophisticated French gastronomy. For a more festive occasion, L’Auberge comes alive with music at weekends, offering a convivial bistro menu.

Le Doyenné: a locavore refuge in the heart of nature

In Essonne, in the heart of Niki de Saint Phalle‘s former studio, Le Doyenné is a haven of peace for lovers of nature and gastronomy. Opened in 2022, this intimate venue is renowned for its farmhouse cuisine, acclaimed by Fooding.

Locavore cuisine is at the heart of the experience. Fruits, vegetables, dairy products and meats are sourced from local producers or grown on site. After an exceptional meal, blending authenticity and creativity, head upstairs to our plush bedrooms for a quiet night’s sleep.

Le Grand Contrôle: a royal night at Versailles

For a fairytale getaway, head to Le Grand Contrôle. This exclusive hotel is located at the foot of the Château de Versailles. This former finance ministry, restored by the Les Airelles group, boasts just 14 rooms and suites sumptuously decorated with Pierre Frey fabrics, four-poster beds and marble fireplaces.

Guests enjoy private access to the wonders of the Château, including the Galerie des Glaces and the royal apartments. After the tour, the Les Cent Marches restaurant, overseen by Alain Ducasse, offers an unforgettable gastronomic experience with dishes such as turbot with shellfish or poularde de Culoiseau. On Saturday evenings, a fireworks display accompanied by classical music illuminates the gardens.

To complete your stay, take advantage of the Valmont spa with a rose oil massage, followed by a dip in the pool. On Sundays, a sumptuous brunch brings this royal Valentine’s Day to a close, while the sun floods the estate’s peaceful lanes.

Also read: The Experimental Group: a revolution in luxury hotels