The superb all-you-can-eat brunch at the Abbaye de Royaumont in Val-d'Oise, France

In the family of brunches at historic sites, we set out to discover the brunch at theAbbaye de Royaumont to combine gourmet delights and culture, and this Sunday experience is well worth a look. Located in Asnières-sur-Oise, in the Val-d'Oise region of France, this 13th-century historic monument offers a unique brunch experience.

Every last Sunday of the month, this former Cistercian abbey founded in 1228 by Saint Louis opens the doors of one of its most beautiful vaulted rooms for a gourmet moment in a remarkable setting. Just 30 kilometers from Paris, this is a day to escape between heritage and gastronomy.

From the moment we arrive, we're immediately captivated by the special atmosphere of the place. Brunch at the Abbaye de Royaumont takes place in a beautiful Gothic-style vaulted hall. Starting at 11 a.m., we settle in for a buffet lunch featuring fresh viennoiseries, sweet treats and a farandole of hot and cold dishes. The cuisine favors local, seasonal produce, with particular attention paid to fruit and vegetables from the estate's kitchen garden.

On the savory side, we appreciated the variety of freshly baked breads on offer, accompanied by good butter and homemade jams. We enjoyed the scrambled eggs and the inevitable bacon, as well as the buns burgers, which were a welcome change from the usual brunch fare. The cold salmon was good, and we liked the all-you-can-eat gazpacho, which added a touch of freshness. Charcuterie platters, a variety of cheeses and gourmet verrines rounded out the offer.

For dessert, we indulged in a seasonal tart, made with mirabelle plums during our visit, accompanied by a good cup of coffee. A good way to end the meal, especially as the many fresh fruits available make it easy to indulge. Coffee, tea and fruit juices are included in the menu.

What's interesting is that this Sunday brunch is not limited to the meal itself. The €52.50 per person package includes free access to the monument and its seven hectares of gardens. We took the time to wander around the different areas after our meal.

The cloister garden offers a moment of contemplation, with its galleries that once served the monks' work and prayer areas. The Potager-Jardin surprised us with its diversity of fruit and vegetables grown using respectful methods. As for the nine-square medieval-inspired garden, it plunges us into the world of plants used in the Middle Ages. This digestive stroll through these three gardens with their different atmospheres allows us to soak up the serenity of the place.

For those who wish to explore the abbey in greater depth, a guided tour can be booked at an additional cost. This option reveals the secrets of this listed abbey, the largest Cistercian abbey in the Île-de-France region.

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The Abbey of Royaumont, founded in 1228 by King Louis IX (future Saint Louis), is one of the largest Cistercian abbeys in the Île-de-France region. Conceived as a place of prayer and monastic life, it initially housed a large community of monks, playing a major spiritual and intellectual role in the Middle Ages. After the French Revolution, like many religious buildings, it was sold as national property and underwent a number of reallocations: in particular, it was used as a cotton mill, and then as a hospice. In the XIXᵉ century, it regained a spiritual dimension with the installation of a religious congregation, before being transformed in the XXᵉ century into a military hospital during the First World War. Since the mid-20ᵉ century, the abbey has become a lively cultural venue, hosting concerts, artist residencies and events, while preserving its architectural heritage and remarkable gardens. In this way, it illustrates the adaptation of a great religious monument to the needs and uses of each era. The buildings are laid out around an attractive cloister, and the chapel has been in ruins since the French Revolution.

The abbey also houses a music library assembled by pianist François Lang, with one of the largest private music collections, including treasures by Debussy, Fauré, Schubert and Mozart. The monks' refectory, with its imposing vaulted ceilings, hosts some of the concerts in the cultural program.

What enriches the experience is the Saison Royaumont, which now offers concerts, dance performances and artistic encounters every Sunday afternoon throughout the year, with a break in January and February. This program transforms the Sunday visit into a cultural experience.

You can attend classical music, opera, contemporary music or choreographic performances in the abbey's historic spaces. The idea is to enjoy a gourmet brunch in the morning, followed by a concert or dance performance in the afternoon. This cultural dimension makes this Sunday a complete outing in the Val-d'Oise, where heritage, gastronomy and the performing arts meet.

Did you know that the estate boasts a 4-star hotel with 53 rooms overlooking the park or the cloister? But don't expect the ultimate in luxury - that's not the idea here. Forget networks and TV, here it's all about simplicity and total disconnection, just like the monks who used to stay here.

A weekend package including an overnight stay and Sunday brunch allows you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the abbey. The Royaumont Foundation, which manages the site, regularly organizes family events such as the Easter egg hunt andHalloween activities, which are sure to delight children. Families will appreciate the €19 children's menu for under-12s on these occasions.

Who is this brunch for and what are the benefits?

This brunch at the Abbaye de Royaumont is aimed above all at those looking for a complete experience, where you take the time to enjoy a good meal in a historic setting. Couples seeking peace and quiet will find a moment of disconnection away from the hustle and bustle of Paris, while families will appreciate being able to combine a meal with cultural discovery with the kids.

Lovers of heritage and live entertainment will be enchanted by the possibility of attending a concert or performance in the afternoon. Highlights include the pleasant setting, all-inclusive access to the monument and gardens, and the all-inclusive package that allows you to spend an entire day on site.

The downside is that this brunch only takes placeonce a month, so you'll need to plan ahead to book. The price may seem high for those just looking for a meal, but it's justified when you consider the whole experience, including the tour and access to the gardens.

To get toRoyaumont Abbey from Paris, take line H from Gare du Nord to Luzarches, then a shuttle bus will take you to the abbey in 8 minutes for just €2 (booking required).

Please note that this brunch is particularly popular, so don't wait too long to book. Reservations can be made directly online on the reservation page up to 9 a.m. the same day, subject to availability. Management tells us that, if the success continues, brunch may be offered twice a month in the near future.

The parking lot is guarded and charging stations for electric vehicles are available on site. This Sunday outing in the 95 region is ideal for those who want to combine cultural discovery and gourmet delights in a heritage setting, less than an hour from the capital. And if you're a local, it's even easier!

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Just north of Paris, in the Val d'Oise, stands the Abbaye de Royaumont, founded in 1228 by Saint Louis and his mother Blanche de Castille. This royal abbey, the largest Cistercian abbey in the Île-de-France region, is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture. With its listed buildings, Royaumont offers a fascinating insight into French medieval history. Many events now take place on the premises, and we take you on a journey of rediscovery. [Read more]

Royaumont Abbey now hosts shows all year round!
The Abbaye de Royaumont in Asnières-sur-Oise now offers shows and concerts every Sunday afternoon. The Festival de Royaumont has evolved into the Saison Royaumont, a truly multidisciplinary cultural experience in the heart of this historic site in the Val-d'Oise. [Read more]

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.