This hotel near Paris looks like Hogwarts

Since its opening at the end of the year, the Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay has been on everyone's lips. "Have you been there yet?" "It looks amazing anyway," "Have you seen this room in Hogwarts style?"... It must be said that when Paris Society ventures into hospitality with an extraordinary address just an hour from Paris and a consistently well-crafted storytelling, the excitement is inevitably at its peak. We hopped on a commuter train and spent a night there to tell you everything.

To say that Laurent de Gourcuff never does things halfway would be an understatement. To deliver his interpretation of the perfect countryside getaway, the big boss of Paris Society takes over the mythical Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay, a Cistercian residence built in the 13th century that later belonged to the Rothschild family. A big wave of magic wand later, performed by the divine Cordélia de Castellane (Artistic Director of Dior Maison), and a truly XXL dollhouse unfolds to welcome Parisians in need of fresh air. Pierre Frey fabrics and wallpapers, plumetis curtains, floral carpets, and large velvet sofas elegantly accentuate this already sumptuous decor. We stroll through the lounges, sit down for tea by the crackling fireplace, put on rubber boots (freely available!) to explore the estate, and lather up with the very chic English products from Penhaligon's before slipping under the covers for a good, restorative nap before dinner.

Obviously, in the evening, the Abbey pulls out all the stops at the Les Chasses restaurant, its chic countryside-inspired table: roast chicken with poultry juice (€34), pithiviers foie gras with poultry juice (€30), turbot with mushrooms and yellow wine sauce (€44), chouquettes with whipped cream and chocolate sauce (€18)... The alternative? We loved dining by the fire at Jame's Bar, where fries come on a silver tray to accompany a superb green bean and mushroom salad (€23), addictive cubes of truffle ham croque (€28), or a competitive grilled cheese (€22). Too cute across the way: a mother-son duo blowing out the teenager's birthday candles on the whipped cream chouquettes (€18).

Bright and early, we put on our coats to reach the almost underground room that hosts breakfast under stone arches that inevitably evoke the Great Hall of Harry Potter. We serve ourselves at the buffet with a divine brioche, various fruit salads, vegetables, cold cuts, sausages, and pastries galore, with the impression of having traveled back in time.

While couples will be delighted to cuddle in peace in the room, spa, or heated pool, higher up in the estate, the paradise of families hides with an incredible XXL gaming room filled with arcade games for free and an adorable kids' club with a play kitchen, cafe, and even a "veterinarian" imagined in collaboration with Tartine & Chocolat. Also, joy: a cinema room where a movie chosen by the team is screened every night (Moulin Rouge, Footloose...). In other words, everything is done here for you to stay for long days without ever getting bored.

While it is obviously possible to drive to the Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay, it is also possible to take a train from Montparnasse for 35 minutes to Rambouillet, with the implementation of free shuttles to pick you up and take you back to the station. Rooms start from €257.

Also discover Chantilly, the countryside 30 minutes from Paris (without a car) and a getaway in a vineyard castle