5 ideas for a relaxing weekend near Paris

© Le Domaine de Primard by Benoit Linero, Les Étangs de Corot by Michel Figuet, and L’Auberge du Jeu de Paume by Alexandra Vonk.

To make the most of the early good weather with a beautiful getaway just a few miles from Paris, we have selected five places that have everything needed for a perfect relaxing weekend : high-class dining, refined rooms, and especially top-notch spas to reset and recharge.

Less than 20 kilometers from the Étoile, accessible in 20 minutes by train from Saint-Lazare, this 4-star hotel, a member of Relais & Châteaux and now part of the Beautiful Life Hotels group, is the ideal retreat for a weekend close to Paris ! With the Étangs de Corot in front and the forest in the background, the hotel underwent 14 months of renovations with new decor by architect Christophe Bachmann. The result ? 42 rooms including 3 suites honoring Camille Corot with terracotta, blue, green tones, and wall murals behind the beds. As a nod to the painter, rooms feature pots filled with brushes. Our favorite?  Room 210 with its huge terrace overlooking the lake. We loved the 3 spa lounges, Les Bains de Corot, which are open to the outdoors facing the ponds, each equipped with a private jacuzzi and offering amazing treatments by Kos and Phytomer.

Plus : A bar and 3 restaurants each with a unique identity : the Michelin-starred Le Corot, the bistro Le Café des Artistes, and the waterside guinguette Les Paillotes.

Les Étangs de Corot, 55 rue de Versailles, 92410 Ville-d'Avray. More information on the hotel.

© Les Étangs de Corot by Michel Figuet.

In the heart of the Chevreuse Valley, in the Rambouillet state forest, this 12th-century Cistercian abbey is hidden in a 65-hectare estate, just an hour's drive from Paris. Partially destroyed during the Revolution, it was bought in 1873 by Charlotte de Rothschild, who commissioned significant restoration work. Already a hotel and restaurant since 1989, it is now part of the Paris Society group, with Laurent de Gourcuff aiming to make it "the most beautiful hotel in the region." Scheduled to open in autumn 2023, reservations are now open. The property features 147 suites and rooms, each uniquely decorated by Cordélia de Castellane, 3 pavilions accommodating 2 to 8 people, and several dining options : the gourmet Les Chasses, the Monks' Refectory for breakfast, and the possibility to dine by the bar near the fireplace, not forgetting a Tata Harper spa with an outdoor pool.

Plus : Numerous activities are available, including a cinema, a kid's club, paddleboarding, archery, and canoeing on the lake.

Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay, Domaine des Vaux de Cernay, Route d'Auffargis, 78720 Cernay-la-Ville.

© Abbaye de Vaux de Cernay.

Primard is the perfect spot for a luxurious weekend getaway. The seventh property of Domaines de Fontenille, set in a 40-hectare park, this majestic Directoire-style building now boasts five stars. As a member of Relais & Châteaux, it is just over an hour from Paris and only 30 kilometers from Giverny. Previously owned by Catherine Deneuve, it has 40 beautifully decorated rooms and suites. The standout feature is the dining at Les Chemins, a Michelin-starred restaurant by chef Romain Meder, former disciple of Alain Ducasse at the 3-star Parisian restaurant at Plaza Athénée offering plant-based cuisine inspired by the estate’s garden. Along the orchard, you can also dine on the grass at the bistro Martin run by Géraud Dupuis, or enjoy a family-style meal in the former kitchen of the Maison sur l’Eure. Additional highlights include a 24-meter heated pool and a 450 m² Susanne Kaufmann spa with 4 cabins, a sauna, a hammam, Japanese baths, and a fitness area.

Plus : The beautiful park, designed over 30 years ago by Jacques Wirtz, has been enhanced yearly with new trees and boasts an exquisite rose garden with over 250 varieties.

Le Domaine de Primard, D16, 28260 Guainville.

© Le Domaine de Primard by Benoit Linero.

Located in the heart of the Domaine de Chantilly, this splendid 5-star Relais & Châteaux hotel is the first French establishment to join the Sana Hotels Collection. The Auberge du Jeu de Paume is highly accessible from Paris (35 min by train + 10 minutes by taxi), making it perfect for a weekend of art and history with a visit to the Château de Chantilly and André Le Nôtre’s gardens. The hotel offers 67 rooms and 25 suites, most overlooking the gardens, with a charming Angélique Marquise des Anges theme, featuring Toile de Jouy wallpaper. Enjoy breakfast on your private balcony above the park. The hotel also offers a Valmont spa with 5 cabins, including one double, an elegant pool, a sauna, and a hammam.

Plus : Two dining options to suit different tastes and budgets: Le Jardin d'Hiver and the gourmet restaurant La Table du Connétable, where chef Clément Le Norcy aims to regain the lost Michelin star.

Auberge du Jeu de Paume, 4 rue du Connétable, 60500 Chantilly.

© Auberge du Jeu de Paume by Alexandra Vonk.

Just 25 km from Paris and a stone’s throw from the Château de Versailles, the Trianon Palace – Waldorf Astoria Versailles is surrounded by a 3-hectare wooded park. This 5-star institution consists of two buildings : the Palace, built in 1910, and the more contemporary Trianon Pavilion, dating from the early 1990s. With 199 rooms, the suites with views of the Château de Versailles are highly recommended. The top choice is the Terrace Suite on the 6th floor, offering 110 m² of space and a terrace with stunning views of the Château and the Royal Domain. For dining, the hotel offers two restaurants : the brasserie La Véranda by chef Frédéric Larquemin, the cocktail bar, and the Michelin-starred Gordon Ramsay au Trianon by the famous English chef.

Plus : The immense 2,800 m² Guerlain spa, with its enormous pool, is a major draw and worth the visit alone !

Trianon Palace – Waldorf Astoria Versailles. 1 bd de la Reine, 78000 Versailles.

© Trianon Palace - Waldorf Astoria Versailles.