Located just 45 minutes from Paris, hidden deep within a forest in the Chevreuse Valley, stands Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay – a former 12th-century Cistercian abbey which has been restored and reimagined as a country house hotel, marrying the spirit of a rural British estate stay with the refined gallic elegance typical of its owners; The Paris Society. 

The Abbey opened in October 2023 following a meticulous €60 million restoration, with phase two of the estate set to launch later this year. Known for creating timeless Parisian landmarks which showcase a specific French hospitality experience this latest project from The Paris Society amplifies the group’s signature style for a new generation.

Echoing with the stories of nine centuries, the genesis of the Abbaye began in 1118, when a community of monks transformed the site, hidden within the forest, into a Cistercian Abbey. Withstanding wars and epidemics, the Abbaye faced abandonment in 1790, before its rescue by the visionary Baroness Charlotte de Rothschild in 1873. An art lover, painter, and musician, Charlotte restored each building with meticulous care, creating the layout of the estate which  guests experience today. WW2 signalled the end of the illustrious Rothschild era and a period of German occupation, in which, unbeknownst to them, the Abbaye’s forests secretly harboured the statues of Versailles. In subsequent decades, the Abbaye passed through several hands before a chance visit by Laurent de Gourcuff in 2019, which was to change the destiny of this historic landmark. 

After four years of tireless work, the estate opened in 2023, the historic buildings now home to 145 bedrooms and suites. Guests have the option of staying in the bedrooms of the L’Abbaye itself, in Les Haras – the estate’s charming former stable yard – and in a series of individual ‘Pavillons’, perfect for family getaways – all of which exude a distinctive atmosphere and style. 

Like a huge playground, the Abbaye’s estate promises only a problem of choice – the tranquil lake allows guests to pedalo, fish, or relax on sailing boats; there are biking trails, art studios, a cinema room, and even a Kids’ Club from the renowned French brand Tartine et Chocolat. The Spa has been carefully curated by The Paris Society in collaboration with premium skincare brand Tata Harper, and boasts 7 treatment rooms, a wellness area, and a serene heated outdoor swimming pool. The three restaurants marry seasonal produce with traditional French cuisine. Le Réfectoire des Moines features a constellation of candles, chic wood panelling and gastronomic indulgence, whilst L’Auberge emulates a rustic charm with a menu of classic dishes.

In September 2024, La Ferme des Vallées will open on the estate – a new woodland hideaway, boasting an additional 39 guestrooms, as well as a new Trattoria restaurant and Betty’s Bar – bearing  the name of the esteemed Betty de Rothschild. Farmhouse in style, the new accommodation will be perfect for families, surrounded by floral filled gardens, and picturesque meadows, whilst the interiors have been designed by Corinne Sachot. As the mastermind behind the stylish interiors of CoCo restaurant, set within Paris’ Palais Garnier, Corinne’s creative flair promises a contemporary edge to this new section of the estate.

BOOK IT

Rates at Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay start from €300 per night on a B&B basis. 

For more information, please visit www.abbayedesvauxdecernay.com