In one of the most beautiful regions of Île-de-France, on the edge of the Rambouillet forest, in the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse, with a wonderful view of peaceful pastures where horses graze, the Domaine du Cerf Volant is an enchanted haven of peace 1 hour from Paris by car (or train), close to Versailles and the beauties of Île-de-France.
Far from the roads and the hustle and bustle, it is a 2-hectare green setting, set with majestic oaks, bordered by a stream and punctuated by a small pond.
The space
Beautiful trails go on forever through the forest and surrounding meadows for walking, horseback riding or cycling.
La Cabane des Sapins is a delightful little Austrian chalet of 22 m2 on 2 levels, dating from 1892, nestled in the fir trees.
It is a dream place for lovers, alone to meet or meditate, or to visit the beauties of Île de France.
The double bed (160) is in a small cozy mezzanine under the roof.
The small staircase leading to it is relatively narrow and may not be suitable for people with reduced mobility or very large build.
There is a small mattress of 70 that can accommodate a child if necessary (to be checked when booking; 15 euros per night).
There's everything you need to prepare your breakfasts and meals.
The kitchen area is equipped with a two-burner induction cooktop, a single fridge, a small oven (to be thoroughly cleaned before departure if used), a pressure coffee maker requiring ground coffee, a Nespresso coffee maker (bring capsules), a toaster, a water filter, all dishes, utensils and cutlery.
Dishwashing liquid is on site and dishes must be done and put away before departure.
Basic foodstuffs are provided, organic olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, cane sugar, as well as a clean dish towel, paper towels and hand soap.
The cleaning and bed (160) are done, and you just have to bring your towels.
The bathroom is inside the cabin and has a sink and shower with hot water, a toilet with paper. A hairdryer is at your disposal. A bath mat is provided, but you should bring your own towels.
The cabin is very well heated (even in very cold weather) with healthy inertia heating.
The ceiling height downstairs is 1.96 m, which generally does not cause discomfort for taller people for a stay of a few days, and knowing that you are most often sitting in the cabin.
There is a perfect Wi-Fi connection, which allows you to telecommute.
Board games are available (Scrabble, cards, tarot, checkers, chess...).
Pets are welcome if they are clean and quiet inside, and not aggressive. Provide a basket or blanket if they are likely to climb on the small sofa to avoid hair and dirt. Dog droppings outside must be rigorously collected before departure. For a cat, bring a scratching post if it tends to scratch on fabrics or carpets. There are two adorable greyhounds (whippets) here.
The forest and country walks are all around, just by opening the door.
You can hire all-terrain bikes on site to scour the beautiful bike paths of the state forest at the gates of the Cerf Volant (10 euros per bike per day, adjustable on site).
For shopping, there are large stores coming from Paris, or in Montfort l'Amaury, and Rambouillet. There is a convenience store in Saint Léger en Yvelines, 5 minutes by car, open until 9 p.m. even on Sundays, but for several days I recommend the Intermarché in Houdan, 15 minutes by car. Des Prés à l'Assiette is a delicatessen in Condé-sur-Vesgre (10 min) with a good selection of fine cheeses, organic products, aromatic herbs, fresh fruit and vegetables, wines, champagne, ciders and liqueurs, selected preserves, foie gras, caviar...
Tap water is perfectly drinkable but it comes from a spring and is rich in iron, which gives it a certain taste. It will be more pleasant to provide bottled water among the groceries.
There is a market with fresh, local produce on Wednesday and Saturday mornings in Rambouillet, and Friday mornings in Houdan. In Adainville, a 5-minute drive, there is an organic stand of seasonal fruits and vegetables, eggs and farm cheeses, honey, artisanal jams, and apple juice every Friday from 4pm to 8pm.
A barbecue is available for sunny days.
Two restaurants are located in Saint Léger en Yvelines: a gourmet one, Le Chêne Pendragon, open every day except Sunday evening, and a very good Italian, La Casa, open every day except Sunday and Monday. In Condé-sur-Vesgre (3 km) Le Saint-Germain is a bar-brasserie where local artisans come to eat, open 7 days a week for lunch only (closes at 1 p.m. on Sundays). La Grange de Bory, the restaurant of the Haras de Bory in La Boissière École (5 km), is open every day for lunch and dinner except Tuesdays. In Bourdonné (8 km) there is the famous Chez Erwan bistro, very famous for its cuisine and wines, where it is recommended to book well in advance. Calìu in Gambais (8 km), open every day except Tuesday, is highly recommended, with a pleasant terrace in summer. At Chez Ruche in Gambais (8 km), the San Francisco-born chef prepares creative and eco-responsible dishes with products from the permaculture vegetable garden and orchard next to the restaurant, or from local and environmentally friendly sources, from Thursday evening to Sunday noon. In Montfort l'Amaury, there are 2 notable restaurants on the Place de l'Église St Pierre: La Place, 7 Place de la Libération, and a good Indian, Le Jardin du Kashmir, but also Au Cinq des Bach, 5 Rue de Paris, which makes very good cuisine. Les Quat' Zarts in Maulette (10 km) is a very friendly and lively brewery, decorated with old objects and souvenirs, with a large terrace in the pretty courtyard of the farmhouse, bringing together the antique dealers and flea market stalls of Bois l'Épicier. In Grosrouvre (12 km) the Auberge du Chasseur, highly recommended, 1 route de la Surie. La Poularde in Houdan (12 km) is pleasant for its pretty terrace overlooking the park.
For a more elegant lunch or dinner in an exceptional setting, there is the restaurant of the Abbey of Vaux de Cernay, or the excellent Festin Royal des Cent Marches, which overlooks the Orangery of the Palace of Versailles.
Two equestrian centers organize horseback rides in the forest of Rambouillet, 1 or more hours, whatever your level of riding (10/15 minutes by car from the Cerf Volant):
- Cheval Nature, in a very beautiful setting
- CEPY: choice of walks in the forest, around ponds, at night, at sunset, etc.
Those who have their own horses can bring them to stay at the Cerf Volant, and enjoy the exceptional environment to hike at their leisure through the forest and surrounding paths.
There are very nice trails all around the estate over more or less long distances.
Enclosures are provided to put the horses in the meadow.
Djamal takes great care of them and provides them with hay and cereals.
From early September to mid-October, the Domaine du Cerf Volant is in the front row for the deer's mating season, the period of love when the deer gather the does with their guttural voices.
There are fishing ponds in the area.
Pets are welcome if they are clean and quiet indoors. Provide a basket or blanket if they are prone to climbing on armchairs and sofas to avoid hair and dirt, as well as a towel to wipe off paws at the door. Outdoor canine waste must be rigorously collected before departure. For a cat, bring its scratching post if it tends to scratch fabrics or carpets.
The presence of a pet is to be checked when booking because an additional charge of 10 euros is applicable for the stay.
No parties, music or noise are allowed, except as part of an event to be booked separately (ask me).
Indeed, the Cerf Volant is a wonderful setting for shoots, filming, country weddings (up to a hundred people), engagements, baptisms, garden parties, birthdays, end-of-year picnic, meeting or day in the countryside for company team, team building, etc.
There is another cottage at the Cerf Volant, the Chalet du Pré, which is far enough away and in its own space to be able to feel calm and quiet, as if at the end of the world!
The Cerf Volant is located in the heart of one of the richest regions of Ile de France in history.
Between Rambouillet and Montfort l'Amaury, Versailles and Chartres, the heritage is exceptional.
The nearest village, Saint Léger en Yvelines, 5 minutes by car, is a former Royal Châtellenie and housed the Haras Royaux under the Ancien Régime.
You can visit nearby:
- Rambouillet Castle, Marie-Antoinette's Dairy and the Shell Cottage
- Montfort l'Amaury, and Groussay Castle
- Maintenon Castle
- Dampierre Castle
- Thoiry Castle and its zoological park
- Château de Breteuil
- Anet Castle
- the Abbey of Port Royal des Champs
- Vaux de Cernay Abbey
or even
- the Palace of Versailles
- the hamlet of the Queen
- Chartres Cathedral
In addition to cultural visits, you can also enjoy water activities and the beaches of the magnificent Étangs de Hollande (lakes surrounded by forests that were used to fill the basins of Versailles), about ten minutes by car, or go and marvel at the superb Espace Rambouillet nature reserve.
There are countless discoveries in this rich region of Île de France.
Often, however, many enjoy staying quietly in the perimeter of the Cerf Volant, where excursions in the surroundings, horseback or bike rides or just rest, the beauty of the park, wildflowers and birdsong are enough to spend memorable and beneficial stays.
