The Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay is a stunningly beautiful Hotel 5* located in the heart of the Rambouillet Forest, just 45 minutes from Paris. It’s a fully restored 12th-century Cistercian abbey. We spent one of the most romantic weekends of our lives there. Words can’t describe it... You absolutely must go! Check out our video from the site.

Reservation

We recommend you book your stay at Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay via Booking.com, which often offers free cancellation. Send us a message on Instagram if you go, it would make us super happy.

The history of the abbey

The abbey's walls echo with 900 years of history. It was founded in 1118 by a handful of monks. Continuing its operations over the centuries, despite wars and epidemics, it was completely abandoned in 1790 and became nothing more than a stone quarry, doomed to oblivion.

But they hadn’t counted on the tenacity of a passionate woman, Baroness Charlotte de Rothschild, who, nearly a century later, brought the place back to life from its ashes. An artist, painter, and musician (her piano teacher was Frédéric Chopin), she meticulously had every building rebuilt and added new structures, shaping the estate into what it is today.

Cordélia de Castellane, who serves as artistic director of Dior Maison, envisioned the hotel as a whimsical and rustic country manor.

She says, "I think the Abbey of Vaux-de-Cernay is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen in my life. It’s a place steeped in history that has stood the test of time while remaining perfectly at home, deeply French, and where life seems very peaceful."

First impressions

To reach the hotel, first drive a few kilometers along the Rambouillet forest, then through a mysterious wrought-iron gate. Don't miss the alpacas on your right or, if you're lucky, a grey heron taking flight. All around you, a lake reflected in century-old trees. The abbey appears in the distance. When it's foggy or the sun goes down, the atmosphere is mystical.

Watch this video (horizontal format) to immerse yourself in the magic of the place. It's not our video, but it's incredible.

For the record, American actress Eva Longoria has stayed here and said on her Instagram account,"I'm in the most beautiful place I've ever seen, check it out, the photos don't do the place justice, it's so beautiful."

A sense of wonder is the first feeling you experience once inside, as you’re greeted by attentive staff wearing tweed vests over white shirts. You can check in at From 3:00 p.m., and check-out is until 12:00 p.m.

The hotel allows small dogs almost everywhere (except in certain restaurants) for an additional fee.

Life in the hotel

As always on Let's Go My Love, we like to describe the scent of a hotel. Here, it's an amber fragrance that mingles with the smell of the fireplaces in the 3 large lounges under the adjoining arches. Pure pleasure...

During your stay, take the time to wander from one salon to the next, get lost in the corridors or the library, slip on rubber boots to roam the grounds, curl up by the fire to play chess, shower with Penhaligon's chic hospitality products and finish off with a restorative nap.

The estate is vast, with many areas to discover: the Abbey itself, the Haras (former stables) which house the spa, the Pavillon d'honneur and the Ferme, with its flower gardens, animals and vast meadows. But there are many other secret places, including a cinema.

We must highlight the staff, who are elegantly dressed in uniforms with subtle medieval touches. Everyone is smiling, stylish, and genuinely committed to making your stay memorable. Special mention goes to Samuel, who gave us a tour of the estate. This was our best experience on Let's Go My Love in terms of service. French excellence. 

Bedrooms and rooms

In total, the hotel features 147 rooms and suites, subtly decorated with floral tapestries, stripes, and Toiles de Jouy. It’s like sleeping in a luxurious country house, but with top-notch hotel service as an added bonus. Each room is completely unique. The four signature suites are the epitome of luxury and are perfect for celebrating a special occasion.

Some of our favorite rooms:

1 • The Tiny Rooms at the Stud Farm • Photo • Photo
2 • The Deluxe Rooms at the Abbey • Photo • Photo
3 • The Unique Rooms at the Abbey • Photo • Photo
4 • The Pagoda • Photo • Photo
5 • The Baroness's Suite • Photo • Photo

And a few highlights:

1 • Les Chasses • Video
2 • Le Réfectoire des Moines • Video
3 • L'Auberge • Video
4 • La Trattoria • Photo
5 • Le Jame's Bar • Photo

In the evening, enjoy a gourmet dinner at the Les Chasses restaurant, with its wood panelling and hushed elegance. L'Auberge, on the other hand, offers a warm, rustic charm and, on some evenings, a pianist accompanies the meal, adding an indescribable ambience.

Gothic breakfast

Early in the morning, breakfast is served in the former monks' refectory, a majestic room bathed in light, where high Gothic vaults and large solid wood tables create a solemn, hors du temps atmosphere. The buffet is gargantuan: pastries, cakes, coffee and eggs made to order, hot and cold savory dishes and burrata!

The spa

During the day, a relaxing moment at the spa is highly recommended! Relax in the year-round heated outdoor pool, sauna, hammam or whirlpool. Numerous massages and exceptional treatments are offered in collaboration with the top-of-the-range skincare brand Tata Harper.

Our tips for getting the most out of it

1. Try to visit the spa From right when it opens (10 a.m.) to enjoy a more peaceful atmosphere
2. Reserve a table at the restaurants as far in advance as possible; mention that you’re celebrating a special occasion, ask for a romantic table, and try to choose an early time slot, such as 7 p.m. (this should help you get the best table)
3. Don’t miss tea time every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the James Bar lounges: a delicious buffet, plenty of cakes of all kinds, and waffles made to order. Come From at 2:00 p.m. if possible to enjoy the buffet while it’s still fresh.
4. Ask for a quiet, spacious room (we recommend staying at Les Haras, which offers a good balance between price and comfort)
5. The rooms at La Ferme are a bit far from the abbey (we do not recommend them)
6. Take advantage of the umbrellas generously provided by the hotel in case of bad weather
7. Bring walking shoes if you plan to take a stroll in the park
8. If you eat at the inn, try the Abbey beer. It’s an IPA brewed 20 minutes from the abbey—very fruity and smooth, with a scent reminiscent of lychee.

Location

The Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay is located in the Rambouillet Forest, just 45 minutes from Paris, in France. You are in the Diocese of Versailles, in Cernay-la-Ville, in the Yvelines department and the Île-de-France region, about 40 kilometers southwest of Paris.

Private, secure parking is available. This includes 10 electric terminals. From Paris, you can of course come by car, or hop on a train at Montparnasse to reach Rambouillet in just 35 minutes. Paris Charles de Gaulle airport is 90 minutes away by car, and Orly airport is 50 minutes.

P.S.: We made a TikTok below that really captures how we felt while we were there. But we shot a lot of other videos (about ten!) because the place has so much to offer. We’ve never posted those videos. Here’s another exclusive video, though, that we really like.