Disconnect in the heart of nature, far from pollution, stress, and responsibilities, all just a stone's throw from Paris: it's a dream. Head to Chantilly, just 20 minutes by train from Gare du Nord. A mere ten-minute taxi ride away (costing around €20), the Grand Pavilion Chantilly offers the atmosphere of an elegant country house in the midst of the national forest, all starting from €168 per night.
The time for a stroll
Built around the former laundry of the mythical chateau of the Duke of Aumale, the estate encompasses several buildings with over 200 pet-friendly rooms, decorated in a clean and neutral palette of beige, gray, and white. Take a nap and then don your walking boots to explore the nearby forest. The trick? Collect chestnuts and acorns from the ground at the outset, ensuring you have enough to share with your new neighbors: the 'wild' boars who come as friendly visitors to enjoy the generosity of wanderers. Through the fence, you can slide their favorite treats and create a buzz on your Instagram story. Doesn't that sound like the countryside? Of course, don't forget to venture all the way to the castle, visit the Horse Museum, and rack up the kilometers, whether on foot or by bike.
Passion for the local heritage
The great outdoors works up an appetite. Luckily, the hotel offers two restaurants in an adjacent building. First, there's The Craft, where you can enjoy a hearty breakfast and brunch prepared with local products. Then, there's The Carrousel, perfect for a wildly romantic dinner in an opera-themed setting: scallop carpaccio (€22), citrus-marinated sturgeon with beets (€16), a succulent poultry cooked in two ways (€32), and a divine triple chocolate tart for dessert (€12). Also noteworthy is a cocktail bar to cap off the evening in style.
The heart's asset
Upon waking up, it's impossible not to make a detour to the refined Sothys spa with its sublime pool surrounded by trees, under a large glass roof. Relax in the hammam or sauna before drying off on the large, plush loungers.
For the ultimate joy, treat yourself to a Deep Tissue treatment administered by skilled hands with a full-body massage to relax and tone the skin (1h15, €185). The loop is complete, and you're ready to return to Paris with a truly refreshed mind.
Starting from €168 per night.
Reservations at legrandpavillonchantilly.com
Also, check out 3 good reasons to head to Versailles and a weekend in Le Touquet, a user's guide.
