When our friends were getting married outside Paris, in a town near Giverny, the famous residence of Claude Monet where he painted most of his water lilies and garden flowers (I realized, just looking out his window), they recommended a few hotels in the area including the cute little bumblebee, Hotel La Ruche.

But right down the street from this boutique hotel with a bakery, we found an absolutely fantastic gorgeous mansion of a property that had a Michelin-starred restaurant, a pool, and a spa. If they just had a stable, it would have been paradise.

I won't kid you about the room, it was 'charming,' which is code for tiny and outdated. But all was OK once you stepped out to enjoy the rest of the property.

The Michelin-starred restaurant was called the Panoramic, and that was no exaggeration. Situated right on the Seine, it was stunning to stand outside on the stone verandah and enjoy a glass of champagne with our appetisers before our main course. The meal was incredibly gorgeous as well as tasty, I was mesmerised by the presentation as much as consumption of it. I was even fascinated by the roll of butter.

The spa and pool were of the style where you could lounge and relax for hours, including napping or daydreaming on the chaise lounges lined outside on the grassy lawn.

If we lived in Paris, this would have been a regular weekend excursion spot for us. A spa day and a romantic meal on the Seine, near Claude Monet's home from which he drew all his inspiration.

And in the end I even found a stable nearby. What more can you ask for.

ADDRESS

5 route de la Corniche, Rolleboise

CONTACT

www.domainedelacorniche.com/en

ph: +33 (0)1 30 93 2000

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