My travel to-do list looks quite different now I have two tiny travellers in tow… but there are a few hotels that met both my requirements pre-kids and now satisfy the needs of all four of us as a family.
I first visited Le Barn in 2019, when it was newly open and finding its feet. Located 45 minutes outside of Paris, in the verdant countryside, it is an easy car or train ride from Paris centre ville – the nearest town is Bonnelles. Hotel guests are mostly made up of stylish Parisians in need of a few nights’ respite and a breath of fresh air, and the pace here is slow. We didn’t notice many guests from further afield than Paris, which gives the hotel a lovely authentic French feel, though be warned it also means the staff don’t speak much English.
As the name suggests the hotel is made up of 1950s converted barns, with 73 stylish but minimalist rooms – with ‘campsite chic’ decor. The beds are very comfy and the bathrooms have large baths so you can refresh after a long walk or horse ride in the 500 acres of surrounding land and forest.
There are over 90 horses at Le Barn, wherever you look you’ll see a pony or horse roaming the fields or being groomed by the dutiful and loving staff. My oldest (almost 4 years old) loved ‘being brave’ and riding a pony for the first time, though he was a little alarmed when Tequila the pony was cheekily more interested in eating the grass than keeping him on the path. There are also games and toys dotted around to entertain little people, though sadly no kids club. Adults can indulge in some outdoor time, walking, riding or taking part in the (included) yoga classes. There is also a small spa area for a sauna or hot tub break, particularly great in the colder seasons.
Food is a casual affair at Le Barn, various dining areas are set up three times a day and a menu appears moments before each service with a succinct selection of daily dishes. I noticed this aspect was greatly improved since my first visit, more thoughtful bistro style cuisine (think grilled meats with rich sauces or comforting pasta recipes) all well-seasoned and presented in a charming vintage fashion. We loved the breakfast spread, complete with fresh-out-the-oven madeleines, garlicky grilled mushrooms and creamy scrambled eggs – the French just do some things better.
A couple of nights at Le Barn was truly restorative – the boys loved roaming free for a few days and making friends with the other kids (there are A LOT of families here), and I appreciated the fresh healthy environment, super dark and quiet nights sleep and a chance to just be in nature. It is a great place to pair with a trip to Paris, you’ll return to the city renewed and ready for another day of sightseeing, shopping or (in my case) bakery-hopping!
I stayed at Le Barn as a guest. More information here.
