Our ideas for gastronomic breaks near Paris

1. Fleur de Loire, Blois

In the Loire Valley, where the river traces its tranquil course, stands a 17th-century edifice that Michelin-starred chef Christophe Hay has converted into a gastronomic stopover near Paris. Formerly the Hospices de Blois, the building imposes its elegance from the moment you enter, promising an out-of-the-ordinary getaway. The interior, designed by Caroline Tissier, occupies 5,000 m² of modern space, where the natural surroundings of Blois reign supreme: an oversized light fixture recalls the banks of the Loire, the walls are adorned with floral motifs and the rooms feature aquatic hues, celebrating their natural setting. A brightly hued bar, outdoor swimming pool, indoor swim lane and Sisley spa complete this masterpiece. The real alchemy, however, is at the table.

The Fleur de Loire's true culinary enchantment unfolds at the table. With its two restaurants, the Michelin-starred "Christophe Hay" and the "Amour Blanc", the Fleur de Loire is an essential gastronomic stopover. At "Christophe Hay", the chef blends traditional and modern flavors with a touch of innovation, while "Amour Blanc" offers a more relaxed atmosphere for a semi-gastronomic experience. In both cases, Christophe Hay makes a point of using high-quality, sustainable local produce. From fresh vegetables from nearby gardens to fish from local rivers and Sologne caviar, every ingredient reflects his commitment to responsible cooking. A particular highlight are the sweet creations of pastry chef Florence Lesage, offered in a small lounge specially dedicated to them. A place where every culinary detail confirms that the art of living in the Loire Valley is a tradition that never goes out of fashion.

Fleur de Loire
Quai Villebois Mareuil, 41000 Blois

2. Domaine de Primard, Normandy

This 30-hectare estate on the banks of the Eure is now a Relais & Châteaux. In the romantic atmosphere of a magnificent 18th-century estate, the Domaine's 30 rooms and 9 suites with private terraces welcome epicureans looking to unwind. With its bright, uncluttered Directoire decor, Primard embodies the ultimate fantasy of a country residence that feels "just like home". For a gastronomic break close to Paris, choose between the bistronomic Martin restaurant, where chef Géraud Dupuis sublimates the estate's organically grown fruit and vegetables, and the Table d'hôtes, which revives the family spirit.

Out of sight, hidden behind the box-trees, you'll discover the estate's underground cellar, expertly run by head sommelier Louis. You can even enjoy a wine tasting accompanied by cheese and charcuterie. The remarkable gardens of this 5-star hotel, designed by the famous landscape architect Jacques Wirtz, who also designed the gardens of the Élysée Palace, are a particular highlight. Here, wisteria grow alongside fruit trees, while sheep, ducks and swans roam free. If the hiking trails and vast wooded areas are ideal playgrounds for those who want to make nature their new open space, the village of Giverny, dear to Claude Monet, is a must-see for art and botany enthusiasts. You'll discover the Impressionist painter's home, as well as the magnificent gardens that inspired his famous water lilies.

Domaine de Primard
Route départementale 16, 28260 Guainville.

3. La Côte Saint Jacques, Burgundy

Less than two hours from the capital, on the banks of the Yonne, the hotel in Burgundy La Côte Saint-Jacques was originally a cosy guesthouse where Parisians in search of greenery came to get a breath of fresh air for a weekend in the countryside. While the huge fireplace, exposed stone walls and leather club armchairs remain, giving the place that pleasant family atmosphere, the spa, heliport and Michelin-starred table have since transformed the place into a luxury establishment.

We continue to come and recharge our batteries on the banks of this river, our bodies lolling in the warm, soothing bubbles of the private Jacuzzi that sits enthroned on the terrace of one of the two Exception suites (45 and 60 m²). It's the ideal place to relax after a day of exploring the surrounding vineyards, or to enjoy a magical moment for two. At La Côte Saint-Jacques, the cuisine of Jean-Michel Lorain and his nephew Alexandre Bondoux has become a veritable art of living. The two Michelin-starred chefs concoct dishes that are both a tribute to tradition and an open window on modernity. The menu evolves with the seasons, showcasing local produce in creations that subtly blend familiar flavors with culinary innovation. Signature dishes include Bresse poularde steamed with Champagne, black pudding with old-fashioned mousseline purée and mille-feuille with three light creams, all paying tribute to family and regional know-how.

La Côte Saint Jacques
14, Faubourg de Paris 89300 Joigny

4. Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa, Champagne

Perched on the Champagne hillsides, the Royal Champagne revives the spirit of an old Napoleonic coaching inn. Brought back to life by two Americans in love with France, the Champagne spa hotel for a gastronomic break close to Paris brilliantly reopened in 2021. The magic wand wielded by Reims-based architect Giovanni Pace has transformed the place into a showcase of modernity. Sculpted from luminous white Euville stone, it extends over 10,000 m², offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Épernay vineyards. The 49 rooms and suites, lit by streams of light and extended by balconies, boast minimalist decor in shades of beige, created by Sybille de Margerie.

The Royal Champagne is an invitation to relax, with its spa offering exclusive treatments in an idyllic setting of bay windows. The highlight? A terrace adorned with a rose garden and vegetable patch. On the gastronomic side, the Michelin-starred restaurant run by chef Christophe Raoux, with its gold-patinated ceiling studded with thirty-six amber glass bubbles, invites the women who lived Napoleon's life onto its walls.

The chef presents his interpretation of the Champagne region. Crispy veal sweetbreads, pigeon, lobster or langoustine... a menu that the man in the bicorne would surely have approved of! To round off the meal, we recommend the rhubarb dessert flavored with green tea and meringue by pastry chef Claire Santos Lopes.

Less formal, the brasserie Le Bellevue not only offers a more playful menu, but also a 180-degree panorama of the Épernay and Marne valleys.

Royal Champagne Hôtel & Spa
9 rue de la République, 51160 Champillon, France

5. Les Hauts de Loire, Loir-et-Cher

Behind a large wrought-iron gate, after a stroll through centuries-old oak trees, Les Hauts de Loire reveals itself, like a well-kept secret that only the swans on the lake seem to know. This ideal hotel for a gastronomic break near Paris, just a stone's throw from the commune of Onzain, stands where forest and vineyards embrace under the benevolent gaze of the Loire. But make no mistake, this residence is not one of those castles faded by time; it lives, it vibrates and it invites you to an unequalled gastronomic ballet.

Built on the remains of a seigniorial stronghold, this estate, which has seen the centuries pass by, retains within its walls the echo of the footsteps of Charles-Louis-Fleury Panckoucke and his lineage, who transformed it from a simple wood to a renowned edifice. Today, the shadow of its noble past still looms large, but with a zest of modernity provided by interior designer Natalia Megret. Her work? A subtle marriage of tradition and contemporary touches, making Les Hauts de Loire a sought-after address, a stage on which discreet yet confident elegance is played out.

The morning sun caresses the restored façade, while the creak of old parquet beneath your feet greets you like an old friend. The scent of waxed wood and the sight of ebony bookcases, blending harmoniously with the blue-grey walls, envelop you in a feeling of returning to your roots. As for the 31 bedrooms, they are cocoons of softness where every detail, from the Nobilis fabric curtain to the wallpaper, tells a chapter of this grand house.

For those in search of deep relaxation, the hotel spa in Loire offers a Clarins setting, with treatments that rejuvenate both body and mind, while the more active will find their happiness on the forest paths, playing tennis or pedaling through the estate. And for culture lovers? The chateaux of the Loire Valley are just a pedal away, ready to unfold their rich history.

But to speak of Les Hauts de Loire without mentioning its cuisine would be a crime of culinary lèse-majesté. On the menu for this gastronomic break near Paris? Two restaurants, but a single credo: promote local producers and short supply chains for an authentic taste adventure. Asparagus from Veuves, a neighboring village, fresh vegetables from the Touche farm in Chitenay, fish swimming up from the Loire, caviar from Sologne: the Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant, run by chef Julien Thomasson, turns every plate into a postcard of the terroir.

Just next door, in a building that shares the estate with the château, the Bistrot serves more casual but equally exhilarating cuisine. The kitchen brigade celebrates meats, beautifully cooked on the spit or in the region's only charcoal oven. Here, you'll savor crepinettes of veal, pork shanks, stuffed quail and shoulders of lamb, all in a rustic-chic setting dominated by imposing brown beams and portraits that seem to observe the festivities from atop their period frames.

Les Hauts de Loire
79 Rue Gilbert Navard, 41150 Veuzain-sur-Loire