An 18th-century château, 45 hectares of woodland, and a lake lined with cabins: on the edge of Sologne, Les Sources de Cheverny offers a hamlet designed for a slower pace of life. Our favorite country hotel 2 hours from Paris, for peace and quiet and to unwind.
A hamlet in the forest, two hours from Paris
We leave the road to Cheverny, head deeper into the woods, and suddenly the hamlet comes into view: the Château du Breuil, old farmhouses, and wooden cabins by the lake. Designed by architect Yves Collet and styled by Studio be-poles, the complex can be explored on foot like a village, moving from one building to the next. Alice and Jérôme Tourbier opened the property in 2020, after launching Les Caudalie Sources in 1999, south of Bordeaux. This 5-star hotel in the Loire Valley, a two-Michelin-key hotel, has chosen the countryside over pomp and circumstance. The property has become a go-to destination among nature-oriented hotels near Paris.
Six places to stay in the countryside
The 49 rooms and suites are spread across six buildings, each quite distinct from the others. At Château du Breuil, 13 rooms and suites blend period wood paneling and fireplaces with the lush greens of the woods and Padleton striped throws on the beds, while a botanical mural by Claire Basler stretches across the ground floor. Further on, the cottages of the Hameau du Marais line up with their terraces facing the lake, featuring chalk-white walls and contemporary photographs hanging on the walls. The Maisons des Fleurs and des Fruits, meanwhile, stand on either side of an orchard. For a night for two, Le Baron Perché rises above the water: 47 m² of solid wood on stilts, a tower overlooking the entire hamlet, and a Nordic hot tub all to yourself on the terrace.
Les Sources de Cheverny – Facade ©Aurelio Photographer
The Springs of Cheverny – Sequel to *The Baron in the Trees* ©MPMorel
A Caudalie spa on the edge of the woods
Adjacent to the Château du Breuil and built with reclaimed wood from the region, the Caudalie Spa ranks Les Sources de Cheverny among the most comprehensive spa hotels near Paris. The hammam and relaxation pool overlook the natural surroundings, and outside, the oak barrel bath stays warm all winter long. In the treatment rooms, everything is inspired by the vineyard: the Crushed Cabernet exfoliation treatment with grape seeds, the Premier Cru facial, and the Couples’ Ritual, which combines a bath and a massage for two. On sunny days, guests can follow up with a few laps in the heated outdoor pool.
Two tables and the estate's vintage
At the table, the Loire region takes center stage. At Le Favori, Michelin-starred, Alsatian chef Pierre Frindel puts vegetables front and center. He trained under Joël Robuchon and Pierre Gagnaire, then worked with Nicolas Masse at Les Sources de Caudalie. On his menu: artichoke barigoule with lovage and foie gras; veal loin and braised Sucrine lettuce with sage, figs, and walnuts from Madame Hardy. On the ceiling, chandeliers by designer Raphaël Kadid feature 1,100 hand-crafted glass tubes. At the tasting bar set up in the center of the room, head sommelier Paul Rybard creates his wine pairings. In the neighboring former wine cellar, L’Auberge cooks meat and fish over an open fire, including a 700-gram veal chop meant to be shared by two. From the guest rooms, you can see the rows of Romorantin vines that produce La Grand’Vigne, the estate’s wine.
Les Sources de Cheverny – Caudalie Spa Pool ©Les Sources de Cheverny
Les Sources de Cheverny – L’Auberge Restaurant ©MPMorel
The tranquility of the forest, the surrounding castles
That leaves the main draw of the place: its location. You arrive via the A10, plug your electric car into the hotel’s charging stations, and the city fades away behind the trees. Here, everything takes place in the forest. You slip on a pair of Aigle boots (they come in all sizes) to follow the fitness trail, try your hand at forest therapy and beekeeping, and stop by the little farm to say hello to the chickens, dwarf goats, pony, and horses. As for the Loire Valley castles, Chambord is a 25-minute drive away, Chenonceau 40 minutes, and Blois 20 minutes. A ten-minute bike ride is all it takes to reach the Château de Cheverny and its 18-hole golf course. The concierges take care of the rest, from guided tours to kayaking or boating trips on the Loire. Come evening, Paris seems much farther away than a two-hour drive.
The Sources of Cheverny
23 Fougère Road, 41700 Cheverny
49 rooms and suites, prices starting at Starting at €290 per night (Superior Room)
Breakfast: 30 €
Blois-Chambord Train Station is 25 minutes away; Paris is 2 hours away via the A10
Official website
