Cazaudehore La Forestière ★★★★

When I think of Paris, I think of bustling city streets, ornate monuments, and architecture lit up under a thousand golden lights. If I had to describe it in three words? Busy, vibrant, and bright. I wouldn’t pair it with the words “peaceful, green, and quiet” but, just outside the city, there is a place where you can experience these three things and more without straying far from the City of Light.

The Cazaudehore la Forestière sits snug in the heart of the Saint-Germain-en-Laye Forest – the gateway to Paris. It enjoys the luxurious seclusion of its location amongst lush greenery and natural beauty whilst still boasting a strong artistic and cultural heritage synonymous with France’s capital. Gastronomy, culture, and sport join together to make this French mansion the perfect place to set down your bags – and I couldn’t wait to get there.

I arrived at the hotel, which lies just twenty minutes from the Place de l’Étoile in Paris, and was greeted by a charming country manor, nestled amongst rows of acacia trees. It was hard to believed I’d been in Paris just a matter of minutes before: Haussman townhouses either side of the street had been replaced by open fields, the honks of Parisian traffic by the cheery chatter of birds, and crowds of people replaced by dense foliage, tall trees, and colourful plants.

Inside, the country ambience continued, with rustic French charm oozing from every corner; deep, plush armchairs in floral upholstery sat beneath opulent, silky curtains, beside exposed-brick fireplaces. It was cosy and homely; everything I’d expected of a French manor house in the countryside. My room was equally as enchanting, with dark hardwood furniture and bursts of bright colour draped over the bed and at the French windows. From my room, I looked out across the surrounding greenery, inhaled the fresh, country air, and basking in the silence of the forest.

The Cazaudehore is named after the family who have passed it down for three generations, collecting rich fabrics and traditional ornaments to decorate it with along the way. Now it belongs to Philippe and Isabelle who welcome guests with open arms and provide them with all the luxuries they need, including modern comforts like Wi-Fi – the Cazaudehore may well be a traditional French countryside manor, but it has a foot firmly planted in the present day, too.

I was worried that I’d miss the hustle and bustle of Parisian life; that I’d get bored without the infinite attractions to visit and culture to explore. But I had absolutely nothing to worry about. The hotel is surrounded by numerous sites, and I took the time to wander through the Claude Monet gardens, Van Gogh’s house in Auvers-sur-Oise, the impressive Thoiry Castle, and the beautiful Vexin Park. For the more active visitor, there are tennis courts nearby, as well as a range of hiking and mountain biking routes carved through the forest, and an 18-hole golf course.

In the evenings I dined in the Cazaudehore Restaurant, one of the most popular eateries in the region and a bastion of delicious French cuisine. The expansive outdoor terrace is alive with greenery, and the interior is richly decorated in rustic tones and ambient lighting. But it was the food that trumped it all, crafted to perfection by Chef Gregory Balland who uses fresh ingredients from the forest and its surroundings. Afterwards, I took a step back in time to the Jazz Age at one of the ‘Jazzaudehore’ nights arranged by Philippe. The bouncing Gipsy Swing was the perfect way to end a peaceful day in rural Parisian paradise.

The Cazaudehore is imbued with the rich cultural heritage of Paris in a fairytale setting. Crossing the threshold into the forest feels like you’ve entered a fairytale, complete with rambling greenery and French country mansions. Just be warned, though - once you’ve discovered the welcoming hospitality of the Cazaudehore’s, tasted the sumptuous selection of dishes, and slept in the comfort of the traditional rural décor, you’ll find it almost impossible to leave.


The Forestière Menu below is an example, and depends heavily on the produce available from the market (it is subject to change over nigh!t):

Langoustines en gelée et bavarois de bisque et céréales,
tartare de mangue à la coriandre
*
Terrine de foie gras mi-cuit à la truite fumée et aux petits pois
*
Ravioles de lamproie fumée au foie gras,
mousseline de topinambours
*
Foie gras frais poêlé et steak haché de canard,
crouton campagnard et œuf mollet
*
Notre sélection de fromages affinés de la « Ferme Ste Suzanne »
*
Emincé de poires à la vanille, glace au pain d’épices et poire
Fondant marron-chocolat, crème anglaise

Café, Thé ou Infusion