Auberge du Jeu de Paume

Auberge du Jeu de Paume is in Chantilly, on the doorstep of the regal Chateau de Chantilly, in a stunning countryside setting not far from Paris.

Beyond the hotel's cream-coloured façade, the 92 18th-century rooms and suites offer a haven of tranquillity and feature traditional décor, Louis XV-style armchairs and large lamps, plus marble bathrooms with deep-soaking bathtubs and Venetian mirrors. Most overlook the courtyard or chateau gardens and lake, and some have private terraces where you can relax and enjoy the views.

Room categories range from the opulent classic rooms to the fit-for-a-king equestrian-themed Arc de Triomphe suite, which has three bedrooms, one with a four-poster bed, and three Carrara marble bathrooms.

Have breakfast in your room in the morning, and make the most of the setting with a gourmet picnic lunch in the grounds. In the evening, enjoy pre-dinner drinks at the bar, an inviting space of plush velvet chairs and a cosy fireplace, before proceeding to the serene La Table du Connetable restaurant for a Michelin-starred meal of Chantilly delicacies, expertly prepared by celebrated chef Julien Lucas. Dishes include fresh fish and venison, followed by rabotte picarde – a local dish of apple, vanilla and Chantilly cream.

The chic Le Jardin D'Hiver bistro also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, where you can tuck into traditional French classics.

As well as a state-of-the-art fitness centre, there is a spa with a pool, a sauna and a hammam. Unwind with a swim or a massage, followed by a visit to the juice bar.

The area where the hotel and chateau reside, the Domaine de Chantilly, sprawls over nearly 8,000 hectares and is home to numerous historic buildings, set amidst lush green forests, glassy lakes and landscaped gardens. On one side of the hotel is the chateau gardens, on the other is the Great Stables, a classical building housing the Living Horse Museum, where you can find out more about the days when hundreds of horses were stabled here. If you’re feeling inspired, you can go horse riding around the surrounding forests, while if you’re a golf fan, there are two golf courses in the area.

If you have the family in tow, they’ll love Parc Asterix, which isn’t far away.