A nature getaway at the Dolce Chantilly 4* hotel

How about a relaxing break in the Oise region? No, no, we're not kidding, today we're taking you to Chantilly, just 25 minutes from Paris by TER (regional express train) (approx. €7 each way)!

Right in the heart of the Chantilly forest, the 4* Hôtel Dolce Chantilly offers a nature getaway in the company of its young chef, Dorian Wicart. If his name doesn't ring a bell, we've discovered a chef full of quality, with a tasty, generous cuisine, who has even just won 3 (well-deserved) prizes at the Trophée Jean Delaveyne 3 - 1st prize for Binôme Cuisine, 1st prize for dessert and 3rd prize in the general competition.

His cuisine is highlighted by the Dolce Chantilly, which has introduced a "nature" formula (from €67 per person). Offered once a month, this formula starts on Friday evening and continues on Saturday: we recommend arriving around 2 or 5 pm on Friday to make the most of the pool, sauna and hammam, as the program is very full!

The only downside is that dinner is unfortunately not included in the package, even though chef Dorian Wicart's cuisine is absolutely superb. Nevertheless, you can easily be tempted by his "Le D" formula at €39 (starter, main course, dessert) or by his "carte blanche" at €62.

The meal is really enjoyable, with scallops, beef chuck and chocolate entremet (you'll be rolling on the floor, and it's easy to see why the chef won his award!), the chef introduces us to unsuspected flavors!

After a good meal, we enjoy our overnight stay in a double room overlooking Garden Golf de Chantilly: not a sound to disturb us, the only downside being the 8am wake-up call.

Yes, we were "forced" to wake up at 8am in order to be ready to leave for the market at 9:15am, so as to have time to have breakfast and get ready. The bravest could wake up at 7am to take a dip in the pool, but we weren't brave enough...

It's worth noting that every day, at 9:15am, the chef heads out to the market to bring the best of the region to his plates. And he's decided to share his love of the region with us by offering to accompany him to the market and make dishes with him afterwards!

So we set off for the market on foot, a 40-minute walk through the woods. On the way, we stopped off at a small direct-sales store, La ferme de la nonette: here, we tasted good regional produce, and couldn't resist leaving with a well-stocked basket of cider, cheese, vegetables and jarred meats.

At the market, the chef stocks up on seasonal produce to feed the whole tribe at lunchtime. In between stalls, the chef answers all our questions and gives us tips on how to choose the right produce. It's a well-organized outing, with a cab ride back to the hotel (paid for by the hotel!).

After the market, it's off to the restaurant with the chef, who gives us a short cooking lesson using the ingredients he's bought. For us, a velouté of pumpkin with scallops: from peeling to cooking, the chef is there to explain how to make a good dish in 20 minutes. We then taste the dish, before going home or to the restaurant (not included in the package!).

A nature getaway at the Dolce Chantilly 4* hotel

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