An exceptional brunch at Château de Villiers-Le-Mahieu in the Yvelines, with all kinds of entertainment

In the Yvelines, just 45 minutes from Paris, near Thoiry, the Château de Villiers-le-Mahieu offers an all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch , combining gourmet delights and leisure activities in an idyllic setting. If you really want to get away from it all for a day, and feel like you're on vacation with your family, friends or partner, this brunch is well worth the detour.

Imagine a gigantic 12-hectare park, on which stands proudly the Château de Villiers-Le-Mahieu, the first home of Maisons de Campagne. The site offers a haven of peace just a stone's throw from the capital. The establishment, which has retained its old-world charm while boasting 98 modern, comfortable rooms, is the ideal setting for a day of relaxation and gastronomy. Yes, you can come for a day, without necessarily sleeping in.

Brunch, the heart of the Château experience, is enjoyed in the farmhouse, an impressive, light-filled space with a terrace, glass roof and inner courtyard. From 11:30 a.m., you can sit back and enjoyan all-you-can-eat selection of dishes. When you enter, you'll be impressed by the height of the ceiling. There are plenty of tables on either side. In this large room, you'll find hot drinks with automatic machines that serve you cappuccinos at will, rotating hot chocolate and teas, as well as a dessert counter and an ice-cream machine with toppings.

In the second, even brighter room, you'll find a cheese table, an all-you-can-drink fridge, a bar where you can make your own cocktails, a large salad andappetizer counter that goes all the way round, and a seafood stall, the hot dishes stand, where a waiter is on hand to serve you (veal shoulder, fish, scrambled eggs, pea purée, gratin dauphinois and fresh vegetable printanière were on the menu the day we visited) and the bread and pastries stand.

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In short, the hardest part is choosing (or not). We grabbed a croissant and a hot chocolate, followed by some oysters, salmon and a nice avocado salad before starting on the veal and pea purée. A quick trip to the good cheeses before moving on to dessert: a small slice of Saint-Honoré, a lichette of tiramisu and chocolate mousse and we're full.

With the daytime brunch package, you can visit the estate from 10am to 6pm. This gives us access to all the estate's activities. On the program: boat trips, tennis, cycling, scootering, outdoor swimming pool in season, badminton, ping-pong, golf, cinema, gaming room, karaoke, reading, poker... or just lazing around, it's up to you.

The brunch day is available for €75 per adult and €45 per child, by reservation only. It also includes an afternoon snack, but to be honest, the brunch was so copious that we didn't go, preferring to take a boat tour of the château and practice our swing at the golf driving range.

If you're looking for a getaway from the hustle and bustle of Paris, Château de Villiers-Le-Mahieu ticks all the boxes. Its history, dating back to the 13th century, and its transformation over the centuries make it a place full of character. In fact, the painter Bernard Buffet, who lived here until 1979, captured the essence of this unique place.