Le Barn: a boutique country house hotel set deep in the picturesque Rambouillet forest

From horse whispering to hammams, Tom Ellen laps up Le Barn’s countryside luxury just a stone’s throw from Paris
Le Barn
Tom Ellen11 April 2019

Four hundred years ago, King Henri IV of France would come to La Cense estate, 27 miles south-west of Paris, to hunt deer and conduct his extramarital relations.

Fast forward a few centuries and it’s home to Le Barn: a boutique country house hotel set deep in the picturesque Rambouillet forest.

Since opening its doors last summer, this sprawling 500-acre complex has proved a huge hit with frazzled Parisians looking to escape the city. It’s easy to see why: strolling through Le Barn’s tranquil woodlands, it really is hard to believe you’re only 40 minutes from the clamour of the French capital. The grounds are teeming with mushrooms, wild flowers and rambling deer (descendents, presumably, of the few that Henri didn’t bump off).

You can borrow wellies to explore on foot, or take mountain bikes, free of charge, for a longer adventure. There’s also a little tree-lined lake for rowing and fishing, as well as a vast games lawn that offers croquet, badminton and pétanque.

The big draw here, though, is the horses. The hotel backs on to the Haras de la Cense stables, which means a wander in pretty much any direction will lead you past field upon field of friendly, grazing mares. The stables cater to everyone from beginners to experts, with group rides or solo outings. There are even ‘horse whispering’ courses, should you wish to spend the day channelling Robert Redford.

If you’re after a more leisurely, less mud-spattered break, slip into Le Barn’s luxury wellness centre. Housed within a 19th-century former flour mill, it boasts a sauna, hammam, osteopath and Ayurvedic masseur. The outdoor Nordic baths, heated by wood burner, are well worth a visit, either under the sun or the stars.

The rooms are essentially Le Barn’s ethos in microcosm: modern chic meets the great outdoors. In among the sleek, stylish interiors (courtesy of Paris design studio Be-poles), you’ll also find campfire-style tin teapots and curtains fashioned from waxed cotton.

Dinner is a relaxed and homely affair: kick off with cocktails in L’Atelier (The Workshop), where the farmhouse dog, Clark, will almost certainly lope in and join you. Then, move to La Serre (The Greenhouse), a smart and spacious conservatory where lumberjack-shirted staff serve up delicious, rural fare. The menu changes with the seasons, but highlights during our stay included roasted pike perch with celery risotto and — star of the show — the steaming ‘chicken pot’, made with organic meat from the local farmers’ market and veg plucked straight from Le Barn’s garden. You’ll find fresh fruit from the same patch nestled among the warm croissants at breakfast.

The sheer breadth of options here is very much reflected in the clientele. During our stay, we spotted guests ranging from beanie-clad Parisian hipsters to young couples and families with small children. Ultimately, whether you want to do a lot, a little or absolutely nothing at all, Le Barn has you covered.

Double rooms start at £125 per night, book here.

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