Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay Review: Inside a Historic Abbey Hotel in France
“A holiday is an opportunity to journey within. It is also a chance to chill, to relax. It is when I switch on my rest mode.”
Paris is always a good idea. That’s until the crowds, lines, and constant energy start to wear you out. If you’re craving a peaceful escape from the city, Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay, a luxury hotel just under an hour from Paris, might be exactly what you need. Located in the scenic Chevreuse Valley, this historic abbey dates back to the 12th century and has recently been transformed into one of France’s most talked-about countryside retreats.
With its fairytale architecture, golden stone walls, and sprawling parkland, Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay has become a favorite on Pinterest, TikTok, and Instagram—often described as one of the most beautiful hotels near Paris. But while it certainly looks magical online, is it really worth the stay? From the restaurant to the rooms and all the activities, I checked in to find out.
Here we go! Let’s determine if staying here is worth it while we cover all aspects, from the rooms to the location and the restaurants:
The Location
Getting to Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay from Paris is pretty simple. It’s about an hour’s drive from the city, which makes it perfect for a quick weekend away when you need some quiet. If you’re not driving, you can take the train from Paris Montparnasse to Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse, then grab a short taxi ride to the hotel; the whole trip takes a little over an hour.
The abbey sits in the Chevreuse Valley, surrounded by trees, lakes, and open fields. It feels calm and relaxed, a total change of pace from Paris. You’ll find walking paths, a few small villages nearby, and plenty of space to just relax, and take it easy.
When you check in, they’ll ask you to download an app with a map of the grounds so you can get familiar with where everything is. At first, it can feel a little overwhelming (the property is big and everything is quite spread out) but after a while, you’ll get the hang of it. One small thing to keep in mind: the Wi-Fi doesn’t always work, and your regular phone data might not either once you start walking around. So if the map doesn’t load, don’t panic, there are plenty of signs around to help you find your way.
The Rooms
There are a few different buildings you can stay in, but we decided to book a room in the main building (abbey), where most of the rooms are. We stayed in a beautiful Deluxe Room, which was really cozy and comfortable — a nice place to come back to after exploring the grounds. It is a bit on the darker side, but the windows open up to beautiful views, and it was so nice to let in some fresh fall air.
Most rooms come with either a bath or a shower, not both. Ours had a bath, which I normally love, but it did feel like a bit of a missed opportunity not to have somewhere to hang the shower head. It looked great, but wasn’t the most practical setup. The same goes for the closet — there wasn’t a lot of hanging space. It’s more of a small cupboard that isn’t very tall, so longer clothes like dresses wouldn’t really fit. It's not a big deal for a weekend, but it might get tricky if you stay longer.
On the plus side, the mini-bar was stocked with free drinks and snacks — things like juice, soda, KitKats, and Twix — which I thought was such a nice touch. At night, the room gets really dark, which is great if you’re a light sleeper, and it was completely quiet. No noise from the hallway or other guests, just peace and silence — exactly what you’d hope for after a day out.
The Restaurant: James’ Bar & Betty’s Bar
Looking for a cozy spot after your morning walk? Then James’ Bar is exactly where you’ll want to be. It shares its space with Betty’s Bar; they serve the same menu, but they’re set in two adjoining rooms. The only real difference is that children aren’t allowed in Betty’s Bar in the evenings, which makes it a little more suited for an evening drink.
The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting. It’s the kind of place where you could easily spend the whole afternoon reading or just watching the day go by (and plenty of guests actually do). There are board games if you want to play a round of chess, and the cocktails are perfect for slow afternoons or early evenings.
They also serve lunch specials like burgers, salads, and small bar bites. If you’re around midday, definitely stop by for lunch after a stroll — and don’t skip the French fries tower, it’s easily one of the highlights.
The Restaurant: L’Auberge
If you’re looking for a relaxed place to eat after a day of exploring, L’Auberge is the spot. It has that cozy French countryside feel — wooden beams, warm lighting, and a fireplace that makes you want to stay for hours. We were there at the end of September, so we definitely got to enjoy the roaring-fire vibe. But if you visit in summer, they also have a terrace that overlooks the lake and the rowboats, which looks like the perfect place for a long lunch in the sun.
The food is exactly what you’d expect from a countryside restaurant: comforting and simple, but done really well. Think roast chicken, grilled tuna, pâté, and all the classics. It’s laid-back but still feels a bit luxurious, the kind of place where you can show up in jeans and still feel like you’re having a special meal.
When we went on a Friday night, the restaurant was packed, so definitely make a reservation in advance, especially since you can eat here even if you’re not staying at the hotel. It’s the kind of place where time just slips away — good food, a warm atmosphere, and that quiet hum of people actually enjoying themselves.
The Restaurant: Les Chasses
Les Chasses is definitely the more upscale restaurant on the property, but it still has that same easy, welcoming feel as the rest of the estate. It’s elegant without being stiff — I never felt out of place or like I had to dress up more than I wanted to.
I had dinner here one evening, and the whole setting felt really special. The dining room is warm and classic, with soft lighting and that rustic French countryside style that fits perfectly with the rest of the abbey. In the colder months, the fireplace adds such a cozy touch, and in summer, you can eat out on the terrace overlooking the gardens, which I can only imagine is beautiful on a sunny day.
The food is classic French but elevated. I decided to go for the snow crab appetizer and the chicken as my main course. Dishes like steak and fish were also on the menu, all beautifully presented and paired with great wines. It felt refined but never pretentious, and the whole experience had that perfect balance of comfort and luxury.
The Restaurant: Le Réfectoire des Moines, Lieu Majestueux
This was honestly one of the main reasons I wanted to stay here. After seeing countless TikToks of people having brunch in what looked like a Hogwarts-style dining hall, I knew I had to experience it for myself. But to be completely honest, I left a bit disappointed.
Maybe my expectations were too high, or maybe it was just the timing, but breakfast didn’t quite live up to what I’d imagined. We stayed during a weekend, and since their brunch starts at 12, breakfast ends at 10:30 a.m. Both mornings, we came down around 9:30, and a lot of the food was already gone. The dining hall was crowded, the staff seemed rushed, and the whole thing felt very chaotic. There was also a Bloody Mary station I was really excited to try, but they told me it was for brunch only.
Maybe it’s better during the week when things are quieter and the staff isn’t preparing for the brunch rush, but during our stay, it just didn’t feel very well-managed. And honestly, that would be fine in most hotels — but for a place that calls itself a luxury hotel, the breakfast experience didn’t feel luxurious at all. The dining hall itself is stunning, but the service and atmosphere just didn’t match the setting. After the first morning, we were so underwhelmed that we stayed for about 5 minutes on the second day, grabbed a croissant, and had our coffee back in the room instead.
The Activities: The Pool & Spa
As I mentioned earlier, we stayed at the end of September, and when we checked in, the staff told us the outdoor pool was heated, so we could still use it. It sounded great, so we decided to give it a try. There’s only the outdoor pool, the spa area itself can only be accessed if you have a treatment booked, so you can’t just go in to use the sauna or steam room, which was a bit of a shame.
There’s also an outdoor bar where you can order drinks or snacks, which is a nice touch. But there are only two small changing rooms (with showers) and no lockers, which made me wonder how it works in the summer when the pool is actually busy.
When we went, we were the only ones there — probably because, coming from the Netherlands, we were the only ones crazy enough to go swimming outside at the end of September. We still expected the water to be nice and warm, but it was more... lukewarm. Not freezing, but definitely not what I’d call heated. We took a few photos, stayed in the water for about ten minutes, and then gave up because it was just too cold.
I completely get that it doesn’t make sense to heat the pool year-round, but I did really miss having a place to relax, especially since you can’t use the sauna without booking a treatment. I think in summer the pool would be great: the setting is lovely, and the atmosphere must be amazing when it’s warm. But for fall weather, I wouldn’t really recommend it. Even if the water is “okay,” you still have to walk outside to get in and out, and that part was definitely not cozy.
The Activities: The Arcade, Cinema, Shop & Farm
To explore everything the estate has to offer, you’ll need the app again — it shows all the activities around the property and which ones you need to book ahead. Some you can just walk up to, while others (like certain workshops or experiences) need a reservation.
The cinema has two showings per day, one around lunchtime and one in the evening. They usually play pre-set movies, but if you happen to be the only one there, you can even choose your own, which I think is such a nice touch. We didn’t end up going because we went out for dinner every evening and spent most of the days exploring, but it’s a great option, especially if you’re visiting with kids or just want a cozy night in.
The arcade was another fun surprise. It’s full of classic games like air hockey, basketball, and shooting machines. It’s one of those things that makes you feel like a kid again, and it’s such a fun way to spend an hour in the afternoon.
Then there’s the farm, which you can visit daily. A small van picks you up right from the hotel and takes you there. It’s super cute and especially fun if you love animals. They even have alpacas you can feed, which I couldn’t resist.
There’s also a small shop on-site, filled with beautiful (though quite pricey) home items, books, and gifts. If you’re looking for something special to take home, you’ll definitely find it here. Just outside, there’s a small truck selling local products like jams, honey, and even craft beers — it’s a lovely little touch that adds to that countryside feel.
Whatever you decide to do, one thing’s for sure, you really won’t get bored here.
The Activities: The Bikes, Row Boats, Tennis & Gym
One of the things I liked most about staying here was how easy it was to get outside and do something. The bikes are literally everywhere around the property and you can just grab one and go. No sign-ups, no asking anyone, you just take a bike and ride around. It’s such a nice way to explore the area and take in the views.
The same goes for the row boats, you can take them straight from the dock and just paddle around the lake. If you’d rather not row, there are pedal boats too, which are honestly just as fun. It’s one of those simple things that makes the place feel relaxed and kind of nostalgic.
There’s also a tennis court by the lake (I believe you have to pay extra to reserve it), and a small gym next to the pool. The gym isn’t big, but it has everything you need for a quick workout — a few machines, weights, and a treadmill if you’d rather not go for a run outside.
It’s all very casual and easy to use, which I appreciated. You can just do your thing without having to book or plan ahead, and it really adds to that laid-back, do-whatever-you-feel-like vibe of the place.
The Verdict: Is a Stay at Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay Worth it?
Overall, I really enjoyed my stay at Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay. It’s such a special place — peaceful, beautiful, and full of character. I’d actually love to come back in the summer to see what the atmosphere is like when everything’s in full swing. The restaurants were definitely a highlight; both offered great food in completely different settings.
I did notice that not all of the restaurant staff spoke English, which made things a little tricky at times. I tried speaking French as much as I could, but there were a few moments where my limited vocabulary didn’t quite get me there. Luckily, there were always staff members who spoke English and were super helpful, so it all worked out fine.
There are a few things that could be improved, though. I think it’s important to keep in mind that the hotel only reopened recently, so it’s still finding its rhythm. It’s hard to compare a newly opened property to luxury hotels that have been around for decades. For example, relying so much on an app can be frustrating when the service doesn’t always work around the grounds.
That said, the potential here is huge. The setting is incredible, the staff is genuinely kind, and you can tell they’re aiming high. It might not feel fully “luxury” just yet in terms of organization, but it’s getting there — and I’m already looking forward to coming back one summer to see how it’s evolved.
I hope this was helpful. If you have any more questions, you can always reach out here or on Instagram, and I’m more than happy to answer any of your questions. Happy Travels!
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