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

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 resonate with 900 years of history. It was founded in 1118 by a handful of monks. Continuing its activity over the centuries, despite wars and epidemics, it was completely emptied of its occupants in 1790 and became a simple stone quarry, doomed to oblivion.

This was without counting on the stubbornness of a fiery woman, Baroness Charlotte de Rothschild, who, almost a century later, raised the estate from the ashes. An artist, painter and musician (her piano teacher was Frédéric Chopin), she scrupulously rebuilt each building and added new constructions, shaping the estate as 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."

The first thing you feel upon entering is a sense of wonder, as you’re greeted by attentive staff wearing tweed vests over white shirts. You can check into your room as early as 3 p.m., and check-out is until noon.

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

Bedrooms and rooms

In all, the hotel houses 147 rooms and suites, subtly decorated with floral tapestries, stripes and Jouy fabrics. It's like sleeping in a luxurious country house, but with top-flight hotel service to boot. Each room is totally unique. The 4 signature suites are the epitome of luxury and ideal for celebrating a special occasion.

Some of our favorite rooms:

1 - Tiny room - Photo - 🌸
2 - Abbaye Deluxe Room - Photo - 🌼
3 - Les Singulières de l'Abbaye - Photo - 🛁
4 - Pagoda - Photo - 🌅
5 - Suite de la Baronne - Photo - ✨

And a few highlights:

1 - The Hunts - Photo - Video
2 - The Monks' Refectory - Video
3 - The Inn - Photo - Video
4 - The Trattoria - Photo
5 - 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 get to the spa as soon as it opens (10 a.m.) to enjoy the peace and quiet.
2. Reserve a table at the restaurants as far in advance as possible, specify that you're celebrating a special occasion, ask for a romantic table and try to choose an early slot, e.g. 7 p.m. (this should get you the best table).
3. Don't miss the tea-time every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 5pm in the James Bar lounges: tasty buffet, plenty of cakes of all kinds and waffles on request. Come as early as 2 p.m. if possible to enjoy the buffet still intact.
4. Ask for a large, quiet room (we recommend staying at Les Haras, a good compromise between price and comfort).
5. Rooms at La Ferme are a little far from the abbey (we don't recommend them).
6. Take advantage of the umbrellas generously provided by the hotel in case of bad weather.
7. Take walking shoes if you intend to stroll through the park.
8. If you're eating at the inn, try the Abbaye beer. It's an IPA brewed 20 minutes from the abbey, very fruity and sweet, with a scent reminiscent of lychee.

Location

Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay is located in the Rambouillet forest, just 45 minutes from Paris, France. You're 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.

PS: we've made a TikTok below that sums up our feelings on the spot. But we made a lot of other videos (about ten!) because the place is so rich. We never published these videos. But here's a second exclusive video that we really like.