Fancy a green getaway just a stone's throw from Paris without leaving the Ile-de-France? Head for Domaine de Maffliers, in the heart of the Val-d'Oise region, for a relaxing weekend away. Just forty-five minutes from the capital, this estate unveils a peaceful countryside from the moment you arrive, with a series of picturesque little roads and an authentic village atmosphere. The old stones of Château de Maffliers, meticulously restored by Demeures de Campagne, invite you to slow down and enjoy nature's warm welcome.
When you step through the gates of Domaine de Maffliers, you're presented with a bucolic picture, where calm and serenity resonate with the "family fiefdom" spirit that Demeures de Campagne aims to reincarnate. The estate extends its charms through a wooded park ideal for picnics under the foliage, a discreet swimming pool nestled in the middle of a clearing, and horse-friendly meadows that will delight horse-riding enthusiasts. Depending on your preferences, we offer three different types of accommodation: deluxe rooms and suites in the Château, apartments with a country atmosphere for an independent getaway, or classic rooms for a return to basics.
There's no shortage of activities on the estate, with a varied program that changes with the seasons and visitors' desires. One of the major attractions remains the equestrian workshops regularly organized thanks to the Château's own stables. Horse-riding in the forest, introduction to equi-coaching for seminars (and potentially soon for leisure visitors)... so many ways to enjoy nature and animals.
Whether you opt for a trip for two, with family or friends, the domain's AbriChics offer you the comfort of a country house, with a fully-equipped kitchen, a large living room with a wood-burning stove, and baths for relaxing moments. Ideal for cousinly get-togethers!
The hotel, on the other hand, offers very cosy, modern rooms, in all simplicity, while the château invites you to an intimate, chic moment with its eight Deluxe rooms, with a claw-foot bathtub in each room, and its duplex suite with access to a private terrace (20m2).
And what would a getaway be without a gourmet touch? Domaine de Maffliers offers two tempting addresses: Brasserie du Château for a bistronomic experience, and Augustine, la Table du Château, where Chef Frédéric Vardon sublimates French cuisine inspired by local history. The estate bar, with its varied menu of gins, adds the finishing touch to your stay.
Our discovery of Domaine de Maffliers:
An address we discovered over two days, during a bucolic getaway. Having already stayed in the hotel's classic rooms, in the Demeure de Campagne du Parc de Coudray, this time we were invited to discover the Deluxe rooms within the château. These are very large, particularly beautiful (not to say luxurious) rooms designed by interior designer Stella Cadente. The bathtub is a real eye-catcher, and lends a great deal of character to the space. The bed is, of course, very comfortable. And a slightly hidden Italian shower is also available.
The château entrance includes a bar. The bartenders are capable of preparing just about any coffee or tea you could ask for (not everything is possible either, but a café allongé or a café crème is right up their alley). You can then relax in the bar room, with a beautiful pool table in the middle. A very cosy setting that also overlooks Augustine, la Table du Château.
A restaurant we were also able to discover on our first evening: set up in the Salle des Fresques (one of the only rooms to survive the fire that took place in 2020 before the hotel opened), we were able to enjoy an authentic setting, amidst a library and painted ceilings of Versailles inspiration. A "truly exceptional bourgeois house" offering refined, highly flavorful cuisine imagined by Chef Frédéric Vardon. The program includes an appetizer of raw scallops, poached egg meurette, beef tenderloin Wellington and hazelnut praline soufflé.
For starters, the scallops, accompanied by romanesco cabbage and citrus fruits, set the tone with a welcome freshness to begin the meal. As for the poached eggs en meurette, they give the necessary pep to attack the rest of the meal. The beef Wellington is very, very good, melting in the mouth with a light crust. And the soufflé dessert is just as delicious as it is light on the palate. Special mention must go to the wines accompanying this meal, including a marvellous Saint-Estèphe that we thoroughly enjoyed.
The brasserie, which we also tried, is just as tasty: simpler, bistro-style cooking, offering all the best of French cuisine. For starters, a pumpkin velouté with grana padano and roasted hazelnuts, ideal for the wintry weather that followed us during our stay. Very tasty and relatively light (the quantities are particularly generous). For main course, the duck parmentier with olives, also very hearty, but above all very, very good, and for dessert, the cheese platter, to finish on a slightly lighter note, even if cheese isn't necessarily light.
This bucolic escapade wouldn't be an escapade if there weren't activities and other experiences to enjoy throughout the stay. For our visit, we were offered a variety of activities, to show us just how wide the range of experiences could be. On the program: a cocktail masterclass with the hotel's head bartender, who taught us how to make a REAL Sex on the Beach (the recipe devised by a Florida bartender on Spring Break in 1987), a cooking masterclass featuring poached eggs and hazelnut soufflé, a DIY Advent wreath workshop with a local florist (great for kids) and horse-related activities.
After all, that's what makes the place so attractive and special: the stables adjoining the hotel, which itself owns a number of horses, but also takes in horses belonging to owners who run them at the racecourse or for other activities. This included an introduction toequi-coaching, which enables teams to work with a horse on various aspects of communication, leadership and social life (the perfect activity for corporate seminars!), as well as a horseback ride in the forest. A one-hour ride through the meandering woods, between muddy paths, hills and bends, not to get bored for a second, accessible to seasoned riders and beginners alike. A relaxing moment, in any case.
When it comes to value for money, it all depends on what you're looking for, and there really is something for everyone: for a chic moment, the château's rooms are perfect, while large groups will prefer the AbriChics, and finally, the hotel's classic rooms are ideal for families or the more frugal. There are also packages with meals and activities included. And for families, there's a Kids Club (ages 4 to 12) so parents can take a breather too.
What more can we say? You'll feel right at home, whatever room you choose, the idea being to erase traditional hotel codes. It's warm, it's a change of scenery, and it's a REAL break from the hustle and bustle of the city, and even from your cell phone (although the hotel does have WiFi, so it's a good opportunity to disconnect). In short, a stay we thoroughly enjoyed. And another good point: the hotel is accessible by public transport. All the more reason to spend a weekend at Domaine de Maffliers, even if you don't have a car. All you have to do is make up your own mind!
So, shall we book our stay, friends?
Location
Demeures de Campagne Domaine de Maffliers
Allée des Marronniers
95560 Maffliers
Official website
www.demeures-de-campagne.com
