Ever fancied playing royalty without the royal duties? How about a getaway in a genuine, opulent château? Numerous grandiose châteaux near Paris have taken on their second lives as hotels, offering you an enchantingly regal sleepover. I’ve cherry-picked the creme de la creme, ensuring you a majestic stay just a tiara’s toss from the French capital.
Vaux de Cernay Abbey (55 km – 1h10 by car)
Route Auffargis, 78720 Cernay-la-Ville, France
Housed in a 12th-century building at the heart of a 65-acre park, this hotel offers high-comfort bedrooms decorated with 12th-century furniture.
The vaults of the lobby and dining room, the ivy climbing up the facades and the impressive hearths of the gothic sitting room give this hotel a unique and old charm. Yet, the hotel is still modern with its outdoor swimming pool.
You can choose between the abbey’s four restaurants. Each of them offers experiences for all tastes such as the Auberge and its food inspired by the countryside, or the Chasses and its typical French cuisine and rustic decor.
There, you will find a spa and a wellness area. For the sport-lovers, many sports activities are available in the estate such as tennis, cycling, and even canoeing, among others.
There are things to do for children too with a Kids Club and many activities adapted for them like painting, board games, and playgrounds.
You can also stay within the estate and stroll around the lake in the park or visit the Château de Rambouillet or the Parc Régional Naturel de la Vallée de Chevreuse (both are at a 20-minute drive from the hotel): you won’t have time to be bored.
Price: double rooms start from €396 (without breakfast)
Novotel Domaine de Maffliers **** (54km – 50 min by car)
Allée des Marronniers, 95560 Maffliers, France
This beautiful hotel located in a 19th-century castle offers spacious and modern bedrooms, most of which offer a view of the 35-acre lush park.
With 11 spacious conference rooms and an outdoor swimming pool, this hotel is ideal, not only for business trips but also for family holidays. The hotel also has a restaurant with a terrace, a Novotel Café and the British bar Les Boiseries.
For the curious and the keen on history, the Musée National de la Renaissance is only at a 20-minute drive from the castle and the Château de Chantilly is only 32 minutes drive.
Price: double rooms start from €118 (without breakfast)
Château de Villiers-le-Mahieu **** (64 km – 1h20 by car)
Rue Du Centre, 78770 Villiers-le-Mahieu, France
Take a leap back in time when you enter this 13th-century castle encircled by moats.
With an all-inclusive package, you will enjoy a splendid high-end bedroom with breakfast and traditional dinner, cooked with local and seasonal products.
You will also enjoy the heated outdoor swimming pool, the spa and the golf and tennis courts.
And if all of this is not enough for you, no worries, the hotel also has a cinema and offers cooking lessons, and the Parc de Thoiry and its Zoosafari are only a 7-minute drive from the castle.
It is the perfect place to rest while never getting bored in a unique and captivating castle.
Prices: double rooms start from €155 (all included)
Tiara Château Hôtel Mont Royal Chantilly ***** (41 km – 1h by car)
Allée des Marronniers, Route De Plailly, 60520 La Chapelle-en-Serval, France
Set up in a sumptuous 19th-century castle, this hotel will have you experience luxury.
Everything is designed for a fairytale-like stay, from the vast and posh bedrooms with a view of the surrounding forest to the Opéra restaurant set up in the former ballroom.
You will particularly love the Suite sur le toit (Suite on the roof) under the eaves and its vast terrace with a private swimming pool and a view of the whole forest.
On the premises, there is an indoor swimming pool, a jacuzzi, a gym and a spa.
For families and thrill-seekers, the Parc Astérix is only a 17-minute drive.
Prices:
- double rooms start from €320 (without breakfast)
- Suite sur le toit suite starts from €1.500 (without breakfast)
Château de Montvillargenne **** (54 km – 1h15 by car)
2 Avenue François Mathet, 60270 Gouvieux, France
This hotel is set up in a charming half-timbered castle in peaceful and tree-filled gardens.
The bedrooms are all decorated differently, with a traditional or modern style, but all provide the highest comfort.
In this peaceful castle, you will find an indoor swimming pool, a spa and the restaurant Le Vilargène, with its terrace in the garden, which offers a menu based on regional and seasonal products.
The castle is near the Château de Chantilly, the Living Museum of the Horse and the Parc Astérix.
Price: double rooms start from €174 (without breakfast)
Château Hôtel de Belmesnil (112 km – 2h10 by car)
Route Du Château, 76116 Saint-Denis-le-Thiboult, France
The Belmesnil castle, an authentic 18th-century dwelling, offers contemporary and sophisticated bedrooms, in a charming and bucolic setting.
Whether you choose a room in the castle with a view of the gardens or a cabin with a view of the castle, or a typical Norman cottage. You will have a good and resting time in nature.
Enjoy a romantic escape at the heart of Haute-Normandie, only 2 km away from the Château de Vascœil, in a castle surrounded by walking trails.
Prices:
- double rooms start from €171 (breakfast included)
- cabins start from €142 (breakfast included)
Château de Fère ***** (115 km – 1h40 by car)
Route Du Château, 02130 Fère-en-Tardenois, France
This breathtaking castle dating back to the 17th century has sumptuous bedrooms with exposed beams.
The hotel, built up against fortress ruins, is equipped with an outdoor swimming pool and a spa and is surrounded by a 24-acre lush park, where you can find tennis courts and hiking trails.
Enjoy the dishes of the hotel’s gastronomic restaurant in the splendid dining room or on the terrace with a view of the gardens.
The castle is only a 45-minute drive from Disneyland Paris.
Price: superior double rooms start from €221 (without breakfast)
Saint James Paris
5 place du Chancelier Adenauer, 16e arr., 75016 Paris, France
Welcome to the one and only hotel-castle inside Paris.
Nestled in the heart of the 16th arrondissement of Paris, this elegant 19th-century building offers warm, spacious and fully-equipped bedrooms and suites (from 20 to 58 m2).
The hotel is equipped with spa facilities in partnership with Guerlain (including a hammam and a gym), an authentic-looking library-bar and a terrace where you can enjoy the dishes of the castle’s Bellefeuille gastronomic restaurant.
You can have your breakfast directly in your bedroom for €42.
It is the perfect place for a calm and luxurious getaway in the heart of Paris.
Prices:
- double rooms start from €712
- suites start from €1,372
Les Jardins d’Epicure (68 km – 1h03 by car)
16 Grande Rue, 65710 Bray-et-Lû
For a chic and unique stay, the Jardins d’Epicure welcomes you in a luxurious and trendy setting.
In this château, every room boasts its own unique decor. There will be a room suiting your tastes, whether you prefer a wooden zen room or a modern and black and white one.
You can also enjoy the castle’s gastronomic restaurant and its room with a plant ceiling.
The hotel has a wellness area with a spa and a jacuzzi. You can also stroll in the estate’s park.
Price: double rooms start from €144 (without breakfast)
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
