THE JOURNAL
Terrace at Brach Paris. Photograph by Mr Yann Audic, courtesy of Brach Paris
There’s a little-understood medical condition that exists called “Paris syndrome”. It refers to a number of cases of tourists showing up to Paris and going into extreme shock as a result of the French capital not being quite as they had imagined – pickpocketing at Gare du Nord doesn’t quite fit in with the fantasy of an artiste in a beret painting the Eiffel Tower across the Seine, after all.
Although the reality of Paris might be a little grimier than anything we saw in Amélie, there are still plenty of places to escape from the hubbub and relax.
Here are five of our favourites when you’re in need of a cure.
Les Etangs de Corot (Versailles)
Junior suite at Les Etangs des Corot. Photograph by Mr R Cellier, courtesy of Mason Rose
There’s an address – just 15 minutes to the Southwest of Paris – that is a closely guarded secret among Parisians. Situated in the small town of Ville-d’Avray, and hidden behind a wall of age-old birch and sweet chestnut trees, sits Les Etang des Corot. This charming, 43-roomed hotel is named after the famous lake it overlooks, which once served as the reservoir for the Chateau de Versailles. Guest rooms are individually decorated with framed nature prints reminiscent of the work of Mr Walton Ford and antiques collected from around the world, most equipped with small terraces that lap the water’s edge. It’s the perfect place for switching off the white noise of city life. Why not check into the hotel’s Claudalie Spa (equipped with hammam and Jacuzzi) for its signature massage? Then tuck into lunch at Le Café des Artistes (recently recognised by Michelin as a Bib Gourmand).
Brach Paris
Bathroom at Brach Paris. Photograph by Guillaume de Laubier, courtesy of Brach Paris
Nestled in the sometimes-stuffy 16th arrondisement, the Brach hotel is situated in a former postal storage, and has quickly built itself a reputation as one of the most achingly cool destinations in the area since it opened late last year. It takes old Parisian flair and updates it for the 21st century. Designed by the interior doyen Mr Phillipe Starck, its decor shows influences from around the world (art brut prints set next to traditional African masks, and the colours are invariably warm and woody). Don’t miss the private roof terrace either, which has one of the city’s best private views of the Eiffel Tower.
Mandarin Oriental Paris
Roof terrace at The Mandarin Oriental Paris. Photograph courtesy of Ann Scott
The boutiques of Saint-Honoré hardly scream relaxation, but in their midst lies the Mandarin Oriental – a property that has nailed the feeling of being in the centre of Paris while maintaining a palatial atmosphere (it is one of the few buildings in the city that has been bestowed with “palace” status). From the 24-hour fitness room to the spa, which is one of the largest in Paris and offers spa suites with private steam baths, the Mandarin Oriental is a veritable haven of wellness that is at once part of Paris and removed from it.
Auberge Jeu de Paume (Chantilly)
Entrance to Auberge Jeu De Paume. Photograph courtesy of Auberge Jeu De Paume
Less than an hour’s train ride from Gare du Nord and you’ll find yourself in the verdant oasis of Chantilly (famous for the eponymous light and fluffy cream it produces). The Auberge Jeu de Paume may not be the most fashionable hotel in France, but it’s certainly one of the most relaxing. Situated adjacent to the grounds of the ornate Château de Chantilly, the hotel is an historic luxury escape with a spa, a Michelin-starred restaurant, wonderfully capacious rooms, and an extravagant decor that maintains a sense of homeliness.
Nolinski Paris
Spa Pool at Nolinski. Photograph by Mr David Oliver, courtesy of Nolinski
If you look up the Nolinski, you’ll find that the word “cocoon” is used a lot. With the coolly luxurious decor, the subterranean spa, and the beautiful pool, it’s easy to see why. It might be located within walking distance of the Palace Garnier and the Louvre, but it’s surely one of the calmest places in the 1st arrondissement. It’s not all quiet and repose, however – the Nolinski’s Brasserie Réjane restaurant is a lively space decorated with Cubist art and gigantic windows that look out onto the Avenue de l’Opera, and the influences of belle époque Paris (see the azure grand piano, the bronze fireplace, and the suite named after and decorated with pictures of Ms Josephine Baker) make it rather lively.