Domaine de Maffliers: our test of the country and equestrian getaway by Demeures de Campagne

For a weekend getaway in the countryside and on horseback, head to the Domaine de Maffliers, in the Val-d'Oise, for a timeless experience. The establishment, orchestrated by Demeures de Campagne, offers an experience combining comfort, nature and gastronomy. Relax by the discreet swimming pool, savor the local bistronomic cuisine, and be seduced by the equestrian workshops offered on the estate... We've tried it, we'll tell you!

Fancy a green getaway just a stone's throw from Paris without leaving the Ile-de-France? Head for Domaine de Maffliers, in the heart of the Val-d'Oise region, for a relaxing weekend away. Just forty-five minutes from the capital, this estate unveils a peaceful countryside from the moment you arrive, with a series of picturesque little roads and an authentic village atmosphere. The old stones of Château de Maffliers, meticulously restored by Demeures de Campagne, invite you to slow down and enjoy nature's warm welcome.

When you step through the gates of Domaine de Maffliers, you're presented with a bucolic picture, where calm and serenity resonate with the "family fiefdom" spirit that Demeures de Campagne aims to reincarnate. The estate extends its charms through a wooded park ideal for picnics under the foliage, a discreet swimming pool nestled in the middle of a clearing, and horse-friendly meadows that will delight horse-riding enthusiasts. Depending on your preferences, we offer three different types of accommodation: deluxe rooms and suites in the Château, apartments with a country atmosphere for an independent getaway, or classic rooms for a return to basics.

There's no shortage of activities on the estate, with a varied program that changes with the seasons and visitors' desires. One of the major attractions remains the equestrian workshops regularly organized thanks to the Château's own stables. Horse-riding in the forest, introduction to equi-coaching for seminars (and potentially soon for leisure visitors)... so many ways to enjoy nature and animals.

Whether you opt for a trip for two, with family or friends, the domain's AbriChics offer you the comfort of a country house, with a fully-equipped kitchen, a large living room with a wood-burning stove, and baths for relaxing moments. Ideal for cousinly get-togethers!

The hotel, on the other hand, offers very cosy, modern rooms, in all simplicity, while the château invites you to an intimate, chic moment with its eight Deluxe rooms, with a claw-foot bathtub in each room, and its duplex suite with access to a private terrace (20m2).

And what would a getaway be without a gourmet touch? Domaine de Maffliers offers two tempting addresses: Brasserie du Château for a bistronomic experience, and Augustine, la Table du Château, where Chef Frédéric Vardon sublimates French cuisine inspired by local history. The estate bar, with its varied menu of gins, adds the finishing touch to your stay.

Our discovery of the Domaine de Maffliers:

A place we were able to discover over two days during a bucolic getaway. Having already stayed in the hotel's classic rooms in the Demeure de Campagne du Parc de Coudray, this time we were offered the chance to discover the Deluxe rooms in the château. These rooms are very large and particularly beautiful (not to say luxurious), designed by interior designer Stella Cadente. The bathtub adds to the charm of the room and gives it a lot of character. The bed is, of course, very comfortable. And, tucked away, there is also a walk-in shower.

The entrance to the château includes a bar. A wonderful selection of coffee and tea is available, and the bartenders can prepare just about anything you could ask for in terms of coffee or tea (note that not everything is possible, but an allongé or a café crème is well within their capabilities). You can then relax in the bar room, with a beautiful pool table in the middle. It's a very cozy setting that also overlooks Augustine, the Château's restaurant.

We also discovered this restaurant on our first evening: seated in the Salle des Fresques (one of the only rooms to survive the fire that took place in 2020 before the hotel opened), we enjoyed an authentic setting, surrounded by a library and ceilings painted in the style of Versailles. A "truly exceptional bourgeois house" offering refined, delicious cuisine created by Chef Frédéric Vardon. The menu included an appetizer, raw scallops, a poached egg in red wine sauce, beef Wellington, and a hazelnut praline soufflé.

The scallops, accompanied by Romanesco broccoli and citrus fruits, set the tone with a welcome freshness to start the meal. The poached eggs in red wine sauce, meanwhile, provided the necessary boost to tackle the rest of the meal. The beef Wellington was very, very good, melting in the mouth with a light crust. And for dessert, the soufflé was as indulgent as it was light on the palate. Special mention must go to the wines accompanying this meal, including a wonderful Saint-Estèphe that we greatly enjoyed.

The brasserie, which we also tried, is just as tasty: simpler, bistro-style cuisine offering the best of French cooking. For starters, a pumpkin soup with Grana Padano and roasted hazelnuts, ideal for the winter weather that followed us during our stay. Very tasty and relatively light (the portions are particularly generous). For the main course, we had duck parmentier with olives, which was also very filling, but above all very, very good, and for dessert, a cheese platter, to finish on a slightly lighter note, even if cheese isn't necessarily light.

This bucolic getaway would not be a getaway if there weren't activities and other experiences to enjoy throughout the stay. During our visit, we were offered a variety of activities to show us a good part of the range of experiences to be discovered. On the program was a cocktail masterclass with the hotel's head bartender, who taught us how to make a REAL Sex on the Beach ( the recipe was created by a bartender in Florida during Spring Break in 1987), a cooking masterclass on how to poach eggs and make hazelnut soufflé, a DIY workshop on making Advent wreaths with a local florist (great fun to do with children), and horse-related activities.

That's what makes this place so appealing and unique: the stables attached to the hotel, which owns a few horses but also welcomes horses belonging to owners who race them at the racetrack or use them for other activities. We were able to tryequi-coaching, which involves working in teams with a horse on various aspects of communication, leadership, and social skills (the perfect activity for corporate seminars!), as well as a horseback ride in the forest. A one-hour ride through the winding paths of the surrounding woods, between muddy trails, hills, and turns, ensuring that there was never a dull moment, accessible to both experienced riders and beginners. A relaxing moment, in any case.

In terms of value for money, it all depends on what you're looking for, and there's something for every budget: for a chic experience, the castle rooms are perfect, while large groups will prefer the AbriChics, and finally, the classic hotel rooms are ideal for families or those on a budget. Note that there are packages available that include meals and activities. And for families, there is a Kids Club (for ages 4 to 12) so that parents can take a break too.

What more can we say... You feel a bit like you're at home, regardless of the room you choose, as the idea is to break away from traditional hotel conventions. It's warm and welcoming, a real change of scenery, and allows you to take a REAL break from the hustle and bustle of the city, and even your cell phone (although the hotel has WiFi, it's an opportunity to disconnect). In short, we really enjoyed our stay. And another good point to finish with: the hotel is accessible by public transport. All the more reason to spend a weekend at the Domaine de Maffliers, even if you don't have a car. All that's left to do is make up your own mind!