Le Bout du Parc: our test of the three-star hotel-café on the edge of the Parc de Versailles

Looking for a more affordable way to live the "château life" in Versailles? Head for Le Bout du Parc, a café-hotel that opened its doors on the edge of the Château de Versailles at the end of April 2024. Admittedly, it's not exactly "château life" in the strict sense of the word (and that's no reason to go overboard...), but the setting will give you the impression of being there, at any rate.

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The three-star establishment is also nestled in the heart of theGally eco-district, an innovative 20-hectare project located between the famous Château de Versailles estate and Saint-Cyr-l'École. Right on the edge of the Château's park, accessible from theÉtoile Royale gate, Le Bout du Parc promises an experience where simplicity and conviviality blend perfectly with the surrounding natural environment.

The design of this café-hotel was a real architectural and environmental challenge. The project, led by the Huttopia group and marking their fourth address under the Hoscar brand, was carefully crafted to respect the 9-meter height limit, in harmony with the historic setting of the Parc de Versailles while incorporating modern and ecological elements. Architects William Wilmotte and Bénédicte Lorenzetto, with the support of landscape architect Michel Desvigne, created a main building in grey-tinted natural wood, topped by a zinc roof, elegantly incorporating the spirit of the French gardens designed by Le Nôtre. Around thehotel, thirty wooden chalets blend into the landscape, offering an ideal setting for a stay in the heart of nature.

The hotel also offers two large seminar rooms, all fully equipped and available for hire on a half-day basis, so you can work in peace and quiet. Note that these rooms are modular, adapting to the size and needs of your teams.

On the café-restaurant side, the menu offers something for everyone. Starters range from 9 to 16.50 euros (velouté du moment, egg mayonnaise, smoked salmon platter, raviole à la crème, etc.), main courses from 16 to 22 euros (croque-monsieur, raviole, piece of meat, sausages, etc.), pizzas from 12.50 to 18 euros and desserts from 6 to 12 euros (fruit salad, chocolate fondant, crème brûlée, etc.). Enough to fill your stomach, whether you're staying in a hotel or not!

Le Bout du Parc stands out not only for its architecture, but also for its functionality and varied range of services. The interior, designed by Valérie Taesch, emphasizes simplicity and durability without compromising comfort. The communal areas, decorated in wood and warm hues, invite relaxation and conviviality, with large bay windows opening onto the lush gardens. The café serves simple, home-style cuisine using local produce, while the hotel offers a range of accommodation options, from standard double rooms to private chalets and dormitories, to suit all preferences and budgets.

Our test of the Hôtel Le Bout du Parc in Versailles:

A hotel in which we were able to spend one night... On arrival, you're greeted simply and warmly. We stayed in a chalet (there are 30 in all) outside the building. The space, all wood and fairly minimalist, is extremely comfortable. The bed is very comfortable (even without a bolster) and the bathroom, though small, is very functional and modern. You'll feel right at home, and the small terrace at the entrance, with chairs and table, promises pleasant evenings of relaxation in summer. Note that there are also 23 rooms and 12 dormitories (the hotel is also a youth hostel), offering a 100% comfort experience for all budgets.

As for the restaurant, the menu is also quite simple and well mastered, offering broth cuisine as well as pizzas. We were tempted to try both, with a starter of eggs mayonnaise, very good, and a goat-honey pizza. The pizza is particularly tasty, very light and perfect for a good meal. Pizzas that already have a small reputation (understandably) and that can be ordered to take away for those not staying at the hotel, but also for hotel guests staying in chalets. Dessert is a fresh fruit salad, ideal for summer.

As for the communal areas, they're ultra-comfortable, whether on the terrace or in the dining room, where you can simply sit back and drink a coffee while teleworking (for example). Everything is open to make you feel at home and encourage you to stay and enjoy the peace and quiet. Theyouth hostel also has a "kitchen" area, with microwaves, where you can heat up your meals or breakfast. There's also a lovely roof terrace and a table soccer area for relaxing before dinner, for example.

For breakfast the following morning, we opted for the continental breakfast, with a glass of fruit juice, a croissant or pain au chocolat of our choice, bread, butter, jam, fromage blanc and a hot drink of our choice. A simple, well-balanced breakfast, made with 100% local produce, that will delight all gourmets. The result of this short stay: we had a great time, very quiet and very cosy. A hotel to discover if you want to stay in Versailles, a little out of the way and away from the hustle and bustle of the city... And if not, you can always treat yourself at the hotel restaurant. All you have to do is make up your own mind!

With this new project, Versailles is reinforcing its image as a "natural city" destination, attentive to the preservation of its history while looking to the future with innovative ecological initiatives. The café-hotel Le Bout du Parc is more than just a place to stay; it's a place to live, an ideal base for locals and visitors alike to discover the treasures of Versailles. Shall we book a stay in Versailles, folks?