For many city dwellers who are overwhelmed by cultural outings and exhilarating activities, nature feels like a soothing oasis. During a weekend in the countryside, amid forests, vineyards, and sun-drenched hills, exceptional estates welcome visitors seeking serenity, comfort, and authenticity. From Brittany to Provence, via Île-de-France, Alsace, and Champagne, these havens of peace blend nature, the art of living, and refinement.
The Domaine de la Bretesche: Elegance and Nature at the Gateway to Brittany
In the heart of a centuries-old forest, very close to the Brière Nature Park, the Domaine de la Bretesche stands on the shore of a lake that reflects a 15th-century castle designated a historic monument. The setting is striking: facades of light-colored stone and red brick, immaculate lawns, and groves of oak, pine, and birch trees stretch out around the lake. The recent renovation, led by architect and interior designer Stéphanie Decurey, has restored this exceptional setting to an atmosphere that is both grand and intimate.
The 25 guest rooms (ranging from 23 to 42 m²) and 6 suites (ranging from 33 to 55 m²), located in the castle’s historic outbuildings in France, offer breathtaking views of the Cour Carrée, the pool, the century-old linden tree, or the surrounding countryside. The decor blends Ananbô panoramic wallpaper, solid-wood headboards, Dedar fabrics, and period furniture, creating a subtle harmony between tradition and modernity. Set apart from the main building, nine private villas (ranging from 40 to 60 m²) have been created in the former sheepfold. With their cozy living rooms, fully equipped kitchens, and terraces opening onto the natural surroundings, they welcome couples, families, or groups of friends in a timeless «country chic» atmosphere.
The La Cour Carrée spa, a 400 m² space, extends this invitation to well-being. Its 14-meter heated pool opens onto the park, bathed in light from a glass roof. Double treatment rooms, a sauna, a herbal tea lounge, and a yoga studio complete this sanctuary of relaxation. Golf enthusiasts, meanwhile, will be charmed by the 18-hole course that winds around the castle and the lake, suitable for players of all skill levels.
Nature is everywhere: walks around the lake, jogging in the forest, or hikes in the nearby nature park remind you that the countryside is always close at hand. It’s the perfect spot for a weekend in nature. When it comes to fine dining, the Montaigu restaurant, led by Chef Filipe Silvestre, is a destination in its own right. Trained at several Michelin-starred restaurants, he offers inventive cuisine that celebrates French classics, enhanced with exotic touches. His refined dishes play with textures and flavors in an elegant setting overlooking the château’s lake and wooded park.
A 5-star resort in France that combines luxury, tranquility, and environmental stewardship, the Domaine de la Bretesche stands out as one of the most beautiful destinations among the Hotels for a weekend in the countryside, where the French art of living is expressed in perfect harmony with nature.
Domaine de la Bretesche
31 keys, starting at 301 euros
Missillac
Spend a weekend in the countryside at a castle © Le Domaine de la Bretesche
A room at the spa hotel © Le Domaine de la Bretesche
La Bastide de Marie: The Quintessence of Provence
In Ménerbes, one of the most beautiful villages in France, La Bastide de Marie exudes all the charm of a Provençal estate surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. Since its opening in 1999, this estate, nestled within 23 hectares of lush grounds, has remained one of the best Hotels in the Luberon. Under the warm sun, to the sound of cicadas and the scent of lavender, the Bastide embodies the Provençal way of life in all its splendor.
Built of white stone, the main house immediately evokes the warm, welcoming atmosphere of a guesthouse. Antique terracotta tiles, vintage furniture, colorful armchairs, bouquets of lavender, and eclectic bookshelves create a refined yet genuine atmosphere. The 14 guest rooms, including 6 suites, each have their own distinct character: Mauve d’Aster, Beige de Lin, Bleu de Nîmes, Gris de Sauge, Vert Tilleul… Dry-stone walls, whitewashed beams, antique furniture, and carefully selected fabrics reflect the understated elegance so dear to Jocelyne Sibuet, who shaped the house’s style.
In the summer, meals are served under the large linden tree in the garden. The chef, passionate about and committed to local markets, crafts his menus around regional ingredients: poultry from Challans, Mediterranean sea bass and sea bream, sun-kissed vegetables—all complemented by wines from Domaine de Marie, produced across three distinct terroirs. Each vintage—whether white, red, or rosé—reflects the richness of the estate’s soil and microclimates.
The Pure Altitude Spa rounds out this Provençal experience. In its two treatment rooms, signature treatments inspired by aromatherapy offer a relaxing respite after a day spent in the hilltop villages of the Luberon. Two outdoor pools also provide a place to unwind amid the olive trees. The’The perfect hotel for a spa weekend.
For extended stays, the property offers two separate homes: Villa Grenache, a carefully restored 18th-century farmhouse, and Le Mas, nestled in the garrigue on four hectares of land. Both feature private pools, Mediterranean gardens, and spectacular views of the hills and Saint-Hilaire Abbey.
At La Bastide de Marie, everything exudes the joy of living: the light, the colors, the scents, and the cuisine. It is the Provence of your dreams—timeless, blending refinement with simplicity.
Marie's Country House
14 keys, starting at 1,551 euros
64 Chem. des Peirelles, 84560 Ménerbes
The perfect hotel for a weekend in the countryside © Maison Sibuet
Loire Valley Lodges: Contemporary Art Perched in the Trees, in Touraine
In Esvres, south of Tours, guests sleep four meters above the ground. In a 300-hectare private forest reserved exclusively for residents, Loire Valley Lodges features 21 lodge suites perched in the treetops, built on stilts and constructed from locally sourced wood (Douglas fir, chestnut, and oak). Each offers 35 m² of living space and features a 25 m² terrace with a private hot tub overlooking the canopy. Designed by architect Isabelle Poulain, each lodge was entrusted to a contemporary artist: JonOne left his graffiti there, CharlElie Couture created his “Paradis,” Gilles Ballini produced a raw canvas, and one of them pays homage to Serge Gainsbourg. Outside, the woods serve as a gallery, dotted with monumental sculptures such as The Woman of the Loire by Michel Audiard. The resort takes the digital detox to the extreme: the lodges have no screens or Wi-Fi, which are replaced by a walkie-talkie connected to the front desk.
At the table, the Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant Ardent is led by Chef Thomas Besnault. His «Carte Blanche» menu features four, six, or eight courses centered on ingredients from the organic farm, the vegetable garden, and wild foraged plants; in the summer, the pop-up restaurant Asperatus sets up shop in the Cour des Aromatiques.
The perfect hotel for a Weekend in Nature, wellness plays a central role here: massages offered in the lodge or on the terrace, shinrin-yoku-style forest bathing, a private sauna for the «Spa+» lodges, and a 20-meter swimming pool open from May through October. At dusk, from the suspended hot tub, all that remains is the rustling of the treetops and the light fading through the branches.
Loire Valley Lodges
La Duporterie, 37320 Esvres-sur-Indre
31 rooms, starting at 290 euros per night
The Yellow Shelter lodge at the 4-star spa hotel near Paris ©Loire Valley Lodges
The outdoor pool at the spa hotel near Paris, Loire Valley Lodges ©Emmanuelle Thion
Le Barn: the countryside, just outside Paris
Just forty-five minutes from the capital, in the heart of the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse Regional Nature Park, Le Barn is a unique spot that reimagines the Weekend in the Countryside. Created by two enthusiasts of horseback riding and the great outdoors, this multifunctional estate combines rural authenticity with contemporary comfort. This hotel less than 1 hour from Paris is ideally located for a weekend getaway.
Housed in two renovated traditional buildings, the hotel features rooms and suites that open onto meadows and forests. The Classic, Superior, and Deluxe rooms charm guests with their exposed beams, private balconies, and views of the natural surroundings, while the suites—including the Le Barn Suite—feature terraces overlooking the paddocks of the neighboring stud farm. The atmosphere is simple, warm, and uncluttered, true to the spirit of the place: elegance without ostentation.
The restaurant, which opens onto the permaculture vegetable garden, celebrates a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The chef prepares seasonal dishes right in front of the guests, using produce from the garden or regional farms. Meals are shared around large wooden tables or under the light-filled glass roof. The bar, with its plush sofas and central fireplace, is the beating heart of the estate, where guests can extend their evenings by the fire or on the terrace overlooking the estate’s wooded grounds.
The spa and wellness area are perfect for relaxation: sauna, steam room, Nordic bath, and a variety of massages.
Outdoors, there’s no shortage of activities: biking, rowing on the pond, pony rides, pétanque, table tennis, yoga, and gardening. Every weekend, the schedule changes: workshops, gatherings, and seasonal events set the pace of life on the estate, turning every stay into a unique experience.
Le Barn embodies a contemporary vision of luxury in the countryside: a return to the essentials, in a pristine natural setting where time seems to stand still.
The Barn
73 keys, starting at 231 euros
Brétigny Mill, Bonnelles
The Barn and Its Horses
Le Prieuré-sur-Seine: Charm and History on the Riverbank
Just an hour from Paris, in the village of Marnay-sur-Seine, the Prieuré-sur-Seine charms visitors with its poetic atmosphere and unique history. Built in the 17th century across from the Church of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption, this residence has served many purposes over the years before becoming a charming hotel in the heart of the Aube countryside.
Converted into a farm in the early 20th century and later into a private residence, the estate has been a gathering place for artists and intellectuals. In the 1930s, publisher Henri Filipacchi found refuge there, soon joined by his son Daniel, who turned it into a hub for artistic gatherings: musicians, painters, and writers would meet there to create and exchange ideas. In the 1990s, thanks to Frank Ténot, the estate became CAMAC, an international artist residency welcoming creators from around the world.
In 2018, the’luxury hotel in France has been brought back to life once again thanks to the efforts of Änni and Jean-Pierre, a couple passionate about art and interior design. After a complete renovation, the Prieuré has become a hotel with rustic yet elegant charm, blending its artistic heritage with contemporary comfort.
Guests can stay in four cottages—the Logis, the Petite Maison, the Studio, and the Maison du Pêcheur—which can accommodate two to eight people. Each features a «country chic» style, with antique furniture, vintage finds, soft fabrics, and artists’ mementos. The living rooms feature bookcases and fireplaces, the kitchens are adorned with rustic earthenware, and each terrace invites guests to enjoy the tranquility of the banks of the Seine.
The comfort rivals that of luxury hotels: high-end bedding, carefully selected amenities, candles, Bluetooth speakers, Wi-Fi, and a TV. Catering services, grocery delivery, a wine cellar, and additional housekeeping are available upon request. The’family-friendly hotel, can also be reserved for private use for retreats, seminars, or group stays.
Combining heritage, art, and nature, Le Prieuré-sur-Seine has become a hidden gem where a warm, welcoming atmosphere and the understated charm of a lived-in country home reign supreme.
Le Prieuré-sur-Seine
4 keys, starting at 143 euros
1 Grande Rue, 10400 Marnay-sur-Seine, France
A hotel in the countryside © Michel Figuet
The 6717 Nature Hotel & Spa: Alsatian elegance in the heart of the Vosges
Located in Ottrott on the Alsace Wine Route, this superb hotel offers a contemporary retreat between Strasbourg and Colmar. Surrounded by forests, the estate spans six hectares and showcases architecture that blends seamlessly with nature. Following extensive expansion work, the hotel now features 35 rooms and suites that combine sleek design with high-end comfort. Some suites, ranging from 42 to 90 m², even feature a private spa with a steam shower or jacuzzi on a panoramic terrace.
La Table du 6717, led by Audrey Stippich and Régis Dell, showcases inventive, seasonal cuisine. Whether in the bright dining room or on the Garden terrace, guests can enjoy refined cuisine paired with a wine cellar featuring 250 selections.
But above all, it is the sense of well-being that defines this hotel. The spa features an indoor pool, a hot tub, saunas, a steam room, and treatment rooms. The Pool Garden Spa area, with its outdoor pool and rooftop hot tub, creates a unique sensory experience. The entire property exudes serenity: here, every detail seems designed to reconnect the body and mind with the surrounding countryside.
The 6717 Nature Hotel & Spa perfectly embodies the new generation of Alsatian hotels: environmentally conscious, open to the surrounding landscape, and focused on a peaceful way of life.
The 6717 Nature Hotel & Spa
35 keys, starting at 162 euros
17 Klingenthal Road, Ottrott
The Luxury Country Hotel © 6717 Hotel-Spa
Through these five elegant spots to discover during a weekend in the countryside, we reconnect with a certain idea of simple happiness—one made up of light, silence, and togetherness.
