The painter Camille Corot painted his first works here in the beautiful quality of light at the Ville-d’Avray ponds. Discover this incredibly verdant sanctuary of untouched nature just fifteen minutes from Paris and five minutes from Versailles. Welcome in this four-star hotel Les Étangs de Corot.

You might stay here as a couple, family, or group of friends, or even for work. The setting is dreamlike, the luxury understated. Savour lunch on the banks of the pond and give in to the magic and poetry of this haven of peace.

Here you’ll find forty-two rooms suffused with history and art, each with a unique décor; a spa in an exceptional environment; and two restaurants, including one Michelin star-rated establishment. Les Étangs de Corot, a member of Relais & Châteaux, invites guests to enjoy the sweet life that inspired the beginning of Impressionism.

Nature

The natural world is an integral part of the concept, and it is present in every way. The hotel is very deliberately built to embrace the two ponds and the edge of the Forêt de Fausses-Reposes, bringing the establishment a unique aura where time truly stands still. Just a stone’s throw from Paris, this lush setting is a place where you can completely disconnect from the bustle of the modern world.

The surrounding natural setting is reflected in the green, blue, and ochre hues that extend into the rooms of the hotel. The open terrace overlooking the garden of the Café des Artistes restaurant also blends into the enveloping greenery. On the lush “village square” patio, wisteria climbs along the walls and clings to the balconies.

Both ponds are listed and protected, and one of them dates back to medieval times. A stroll around them offers an opportunity to delight in the view that so inspired Camille Corot… And a chance to glimpse any of the many birds and batrachians that live in this habitat.

Well-being

Comfort and softness in every room…

The hotel was entirely renovated in 2022. With furniture bought at antique stores and other unique decorative touches, the artistic world created by the architect Christophe Bachmann breathes life into every space, where the well-being of guests is always the focus.

Starting with the 42 rooms (ranging from rooms of 22 m2 to suites of approximately 40 m2): Classic, Superior, and Prestige rooms, as well as Junior Suites and Suites. All the rooms – including some with sloping ceilings and others with terraces – exude soft tranquillity.

Green, blue and ochre tones mingle with the Pierre Frey wallpapers and life-sized reproductions of Corot paintings. Each panoramic scene appeals to the imagination, from “Les Sources de Orénoque” (“The Source of the Orinoco”) by Ananbô to “La Piazetta de Venise” (“The Small Square of Venice”) by Camille Corot to “Le Jardin du Palais” (“The Palace Garden”) by Pierre Frey, among others.

Each of the three hotel suites – “Atelier d’artiste” (“Artist’s Workshop”) “Barbizon” and “Impressionniste” – are unique, and all feature luxury fittings and a view over the hotel gardens and ponds. The “Impressionniste” suite includes a private terrace spanning 25 m2.

Spacious and atypical, the eight Junior Suites are the perfect combination of comfort and elegance, and they, too, offer a delightful view over the gardens and ponds.

… and well-being at Les Bains de Corot

Well-being culminates at the hotel spa, Les Bains de Corot. Each of the eight treatment rooms offers a view over the ponds. Savour relaxing in this exceptional setting with a sauna, a jacuzzi opening to the exterior, three individual hot tubs, and a herbal tea area.

The spa is open to everyone, not just clients of the hotel. At this palace of the senses, massage therapists offer exclusive treatments using products from the partner brands Kos Paris (refined, natural, effective, eco-responsible skincare) and Phytomer, which has been using the benefits of nature to reveal the beauty of both women and men for 50 years.

Among the signature rituals of Les Étangs de Corot is the ceremony of oils, an essential treatment of Kos Paris expertise and one of its emblematic creations. Using a selection of delicately scented oils (floral, fruity, amber), this relaxing, energy-replenishing massage focuses on revitalising and balancing the body and mind.

The deliciously enveloping massage features precise stretches and sequences of movements that eliminate stress and release tensions.

And don’t miss what might be the ultimate, most unique spa experience of Les Étangs de Corot: “Les Bulles” (“Bubbles”), a combination of spa pampering and gourmet indulgence. Relish this supremely exquisite journey to the heart of nature as you relax.

On your own, as a couple, or with friends, choose a Phytomer or Kos treatment, enjoy an hour in a private hot tub, and opt for a glass of champagne, an afternoon tea at the Le Camille bar, or an epicurean lunch at Le Café des Artistes.

Gourmet delights

Gourmets and connoisseurs will thrill to the many delights on offer at Les Étangs de Corot.

A bistronomic experience at Le Café des Artistes

Le Café des Artistes offers casual dining. Comfortably seated under the vintage boats in the rafters, the guests of Café des Artistes enjoy a joyous atmosphere and share tasty cuisine. Dine indoors or on the terrace overlooking the gardens.

The selection highlights local and organic products – sourced through local supply chains whenever possible – prepared home-style for a delightful meal. A different market-fresh menu is on offer each day, featuring seasonal ingredients (gravlax salmon with candied lemon, slow-cooked pork loin, pumpkin roasted with honey and lemon, seared catch of the day, and so on).

On sunny days, the large glass partition opens onto the hotel gardens and Les Paillotes, its historically listed 19th-century ginguette, or outdoor tavern. The spot was a place where artists and writers, among others, gathered to share in the enchanting setting of the Ville d’Avray ponds. The restaurant can accommodate 80 people and features a private reception room. Choose from set menus at €35 and €39, or your choice of à la carte dishes from €25 to €32.

Gourmet exploration at Le Corot

The atmosphere and decoration are completely different at the Le Corot restaurant. The dining room depicts the surrounding natural environment, where the splendour of the area mingles with a serene, streamlined aesthetic. Here more than anywhere else, guests taste the height of refinement in a polished setting featuring a Michelin star.

Fine, rare, natural materials, such as solid wood and marble, set the scene for the gastronomic experience. Under the restaurant’s vaulted ceiling, enjoy a procession of delights carefully orchestrated by Chef Rémi Chambard. At this one-of-a-kind spot, he is free to express his unique, luscious signature style. “I reveal the effervescence of the local area all around you,” says Rémi. “The wildlife of this Parisian countryside, nestled among kitchen gardens, woodlands and ponds, is delicately mingled before your eyes.”

Depending on your appetite and sense of adventure, choose among three set menus (€95, €135 and €165) exploring Ile-de-France and its delicious culinary delights seasoned with exquisite fragrant herbs. Slow-cooked trout, duck with round Parisian carrots, poultry with chanterelles, texturised milk and puffed rice, pike with cress and champagne… Prepare your taste buds for a discovery of exceptional flavours.

Rémi Chambard, signature countryside cookery

A native of Charentes-Maritime, Rémi Chambard began cooking at a very young age. As the grandson of a farmer, he was raised to appreciate the value of the earth, the culinary arts, and the local products available in his area. He went on to work as part of a series of different kitchen teams to perfect his grasp of the culinary arts, including alongside Jean-Marie Gauthier at the Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz and under another star-rated chef, Nicolas Masse, at La Grand’Vigne in the Bordeaux area. Chef Chambard joined the team of Les Étangs de Corot in 2012 and earned his first Michelin star in 2014.

Wherever he demonstrates his talents, Rémi expresses his enthusiasm for his region of adoption and its local ingredients, as well as the beauty of the setting. His creations always resonate with the immediate surroundings of the restaurant. Here, his cuisine reflects the ponds and the Le Corot menu highlights freshwater fish and duck. Rémi’s artistry is inspired by a thorough exploration of the Île-de-France region, truly expressing the spirit of the Parisian countryside.

At Le Corot, Rémi Chambard keeps his promise: “Allow yourself to be swept away by the treasures of these natural surroundings. My market gardeners, gatherers, ranchers, fishermen and wine-makers – all craftsmen of the earth and water – entrust their precious ingredients to me, allowing me to continue writing the most exquisite cookbook in a tribute to them each day.”

A summer cocktail at Les Paillotes

Open in the warm season, Les Paillotes – a historically listed 19th-century guinguette, or outdoor tavern – offers a list of cocktails perfectly in step with the resolutely retro spirit and chic fare of this spot, just a few steps from the house where Corot spent his summers.

Enjoy an aperitif at the water’s edge here with friends or family, or take an afternoon break to savour a chic snack with the pastry chef’s array of pastries.

A cosy musical atmosphere at Le Camille

Don’t miss the cosy atmosphere that you’ll discover at the hotel bar, Le Camille. In this secluded spot, you might enjoy a well-deserved moment of respite after work or an escapade through the region, as well as gourmet snacks and a selection of signature cocktails.

At the end of each week, live music heightens the casual elegance of this irresistible setting. When the weather is fair, the concert takes place at Les Paillotes, offering the opportunity to dance like they did in Impressionist times…

Rounding out the selection, feel free to reserve an afternoon tea any day between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. and enjoy a delicious variety of homemade pastries.

And also…

An ideal place for seminaries…

Just fifteen minutes from the capital, Les Étangs de Corot is the ideal place to convene your teams for a professional event in a privileged environment at the heart of nature. The hotel features four reception rooms bathed in natural light, as well as a more casual space featuring an interactive screen.

Every detail is designed to make your seminar a studious yet delightful break from everyday life. All the parameters are flexible: reserve for one or more days, optionally include accommodation, book lunch at Le Café des Artistes, and so on.

…and weddings

Consider a secluded wedding in this perfectly refined setting where the forest meets the water. The lush gardens and verdant surroundings offer the ideal decor for photographs that will last a lifetime. The chef is delighted to prepare a meal for 8 to 40 guests, and one of the hotel’s two restaurants may be privatised for the occasion.

A: Les Étangs de Corot 55 rue de Versailles 92410 Ville-d’Avray
W: Étangs de Corot

Photo credits Christophe Le Potier