As you know, I really like Chantilly, which I’ve already talked about at length in a previous article “A weekend getaway to Chantilly” where you will find plenty of information about the town, as well as ideas for visits and things to do in Chantilly. In this article, I am sharing my selection of top spots in Chantilly, including accommodations and restaurants, that I’ve had the opportunity to test during my various trips there.
Table of Contents
Our video about our weekend in Chantilly
To start, here is our video (by Nicolas Diolez, my favorite photographer) from our trip in 2019, which takes you along with us on this 2-day getaway to Chantilly.
My favorite gourmet spots in and around Chantilly
Taste the Chantilly of Chantilly!
Do not leave without having tasted the famous whipped cream, known as… Chantilly. Surely not a coincidence, because you will eat the tastiest chantilly there is. An inimitable taste to be enjoyed on a bed of strawberries.
And because Mademoiselle Bon Plan likes to spoil her readers, we are generously giving you the recipe for this royal dessert:
- 50 cl of raw cream
- 20g of powdered sugar
- 20g of natural vanilla-flavored sugar
Mix everything in a large bowl and whisk until the cream becomes thick, creamy, and smooth enough. And until your arm has no strength left! But believe me, it will be worth it! You will certainly be able to taste chantilly during the Plant Days (Journées des Plantes)! Stands will offer you the chance to savor this local specialty!
Where to taste authentic Chantilly?
Aux Goûters Champêtres
Hameau, Château park, Chantilly
+33 3 44 57 46 21
Every day from April to October – November to March, closed on Tuesdays
Lunch and tea-time tastingLa Capitainerie
Château, Chantilly
+33 3 44 57 15 89
Every day from April to October – November to March, closed on Tuesdays
Lunch and tea-time tastingLe Vertugadin
44 Rue du Connétable, Chantilly
+33 3 44 57 03 19
Closed from Sunday evening to Tuesday lunch.
Lunch and dinner tasting
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Lunch at the restaurant Le Vertugadin
This great spot in Chantilly is worth the detour as much for the quality of its cuisine as for the temperament of its owner, Michaël Ejzenbaum, whom you could listen to for hours talking about Chantilly cream, of which he is a Knight of the Brotherhood! After our meal, we even got a mini class and a demonstration on Chantilly cream. Indeed, this delicious preparation is famous worldwide and its history is linked to Chantilly because it is said to have originated at the Hameau and the Dairy of the Prince of Condé (who resided at the Château de Chantilly). The creation of the latter dates back to the 18th century. And since October 6, 2019, the Brotherhood of Knights of the Chantilly cream whisk also organizes Chantilly cream classes at the Domaine de Chantilly.
To taste: the Picardy poultry liver terrine; black pudding with two apples; tagliatelle with parmesan cream; strawberry puff pastry with the famous Chantilly cream…
Tested in 2019
Restaurant Le Vertugadin
44 Rue du Connétable, 60500 Chantilly
Price: menu with appetizer + main course + dessert for €32
My tip: For drinks, I recommend trying the local Gustave beer which is very good!
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Brunch at the Château Hôtel Mont Royal
This magnificent 5-star hotel, hidden in the Chantilly forest, is part of the Tiara Hotels group. Every Sunday from 12:30 PM, the establishment’s gourmet restaurant, L’Opéra, offers its very famous brunch, renowned throughout the region and therefore very popular, especially with families of all generations. My favorite photographer had a field day there, as you can see, before we gobbled up a few plates of these dishes. The hardest thing is to admit from the start that even if you haven’t eaten since the day before, you won’t be able to taste everything, it’s impossible, only good old Karadoc (small reference to Kaamelott) might be able to manage it… and even then…
On the menu: a gargantuan buffet (I’m not sure I’ve seen one more plentiful, varied, and tasty) created by the restaurant’s chef, Benoist Rambaud, with appetizers, verrines, hot dishes, local platters, a selection from the sea, a beautiful cheese board, and a sublime dessert buffet, all just more delicious than the next…
The little extra: on sunny days, it is very pleasant to enjoy your brunch on the magnificent terrace located at the back of the château, perfectly quiet, to peacefully appreciate this friendly and gourmet moment.
Tested in 2016
Château Hôtel Mont Royal
Route de Plailly 60520 La Chapelle en Serval
reservation required at +33 3 44 54 50 50The great tip: I highly recommend ending your brunch with a short digestive walk. There is a pretty marked trail right next to the hotel parking lot, which allows you to take a little stroll that is beneficial for your stomach (believe me!) around the hotel.
Price: starting from €65 per person / €35 for children aged 6 to 12 / free for children under 6
Where to stay in and around Chantilly?
L’Auberge du Jeu de Paume
This beautiful 5-star Relais & Châteaux hotel, located in the heart of the Chantilly estate, opened its doors about 4 years ago and I had the chance to spend an enchanting night there. This invitation was actually the starting point for this little city guide on Chantilly.
The great tip: upon your arrival at the hotel, the concierge gives you a map of the town and the Estate, as well as invitations valid for one day to discover the Domaine de Chantilly as a whole (park, Condé museum, château, Horse museum). It is quite appreciated!
Tested in 2016
L’Auberge du Jeu de Paume
4, rue du Connetable 60500 Chantilly
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Our Deluxe room with a view of the Domaine de Chantilly gardens
You would think you were in an 18th-century French home, with its country-style toile de Jouy patterns and Louis XV style armchairs. What a pleasure, especially, to have breakfast brought to our room and enjoy our little private balcony overlooking the park while eating it. An unforgettable memory.
Price of the Deluxe room with park view: starting from €337.50 per night
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Our dinner at the Bistrot Chic Le Jardin d’Hiver
The hotel’s bistro offers fresh cuisine that emphasizes local, seasonal, and locavore products, as the chef places particular importance on the origin of these raw materials. For sunny days, the restaurant has a charming little interior terrace that is very pleasant for dining or lunching. The establishment also has another very beautiful table, La Table du Connétable, a gourmet restaurant under the leadership of chef Arnaud Faye, two Michelin stars in the 2016 Guide.
To taste:
- A small amuse-bouche to whet the appetite (I love this tradition in restaurants of a certain standing). Well, I’m sorry but I don’t remember at all what it was…
- The zucchini cream with nutmeg and ricotta ravioli (€12), for a fresh and light appetizer.
- The segments of house-smoked salmon with mustard potatoes (€15) perfectly prepared for enthusiasts.
- As a main course, for fish lovers, I tested the sea bream in a bread crust with tetragonia and piquillos (€32), with a special mention for the cooking, which was very successful.
- Another main dish, the roasted chicken supreme and its vegetable blanquette with tarragon (€31), the photographer’s choice obviously.
- For dessert, we tasted the traditional Saint-Honoré (€10), classic but effective.
- And finally, the must-try dessert you absolutely have to taste, the strawberries on a fine jelly with Chantilly and vanilla (€10). Fresh and light, perfect to end this good meal.
Restaurant open 7/7 for lunch and dinner
The little extra: a beautiful wine selection and a very competent staff to help you discover hidden gems.
The great tip: the Jardin d’Hiver menu from Monday to Friday for €35 with appetizer + main course + dessert / €31 with appetizer + main course / €29 with main course + dessert
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The Spa Valmont
The spa of the famous Swiss brand has been in the hotel since its opening and it offers an exclusive signature treatment at the site: the Mille & Une Chantilly treatment. On the program for this unique treatment, an exfoliation followed by a relaxing massage, which ends with a gourmet and creamy Chantilly cream wrap. Yes, that’s right, you heard correctly, so they covered me with Chantilly and I tasted it just before being spread with it, it was succulent! What’s great is that after the treatment, my skin smelled like vanilla… My favorite photographer didn’t seem to complain about it…
So as not to end this sensory treatment with frustration, a little sweet surprise prepared by the establishment’s pastry chef completes the ritual. The good news is that there is obviously a small bowl of Chantilly cream to taste…
Price: €205 for 90 min / €355 for two
The great tip: hotel guests obviously have free access (7/7 from 7 AM to 11 PM) to the indoor pool, the hot tub, the fitness room, the hammam and sauna areas of the spa, as well as the juice and herbal tea bar for a refreshing break.
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The Mercure Chantilly Hotel
This hotel, located in the heart of the Chantilly forest, is easily accessible from Paris by car (expect a good hour’s drive), but you can also go there by train, arriving at the Chantilly station. The establishment, built in 1991, offers contemporary architecture that made me think a bit of large American resorts and it is set in the middle of an 80-hectare park that showcases nature with a very beautiful 18-hole golf course. It is a large establishment, since the Hotel has 200 rooms and suites.
With my favorite photographer, we discovered this 4-star Mercure Chantilly Resort & Conventions hotel (formerly Dolce Chantilly, which has changed its name since March 1st, 2019) in 2019. We went there right around that time, towards the end of February. So, as the hotel has changed its name since then, I admit that some things may have changed, I know in particular that the organization of the establishment’s restaurants seems a little different, for example, but well I am going to share this experience with you anyway, just keep this information in mind.
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Our Room No. 396
Our room overlooked the Golf, which I found extremely nice and relaxing. We obviously took the opportunity to jump on the bed and the favorite photographer even joined me for the occasion…
What I liked about this room:
- The very good bedding and the very comfortable King Size bed
- The hot drink area in the room with a kettle and teas and herbal teas (essential for my little evening herbal tea, I am always extremely disappointed when I don’t find this in a hotel room)
- The bathtub, always pleasant to relax in a little bath
- The quietness of this room overlooking the park
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Breakfast
I advise you not to arrive too late for breakfast (which is served as a buffet) if you want to be able to sit in the veranda room and enjoy the beautiful morning light. On sunny days, you can also enjoy the new terrace with a view of the golf course, the swimming pool, and the leisure areas.
Weekday breakfast hours: from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Weekend breakfast hours: from 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM
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The Hotel Bar
This very cozy bar is a great opportunity to drink a cocktail or a glass of Champagne before going to test the establishment’s restaurant, for example. For info, I recommend discovering the bar’s beautiful selection of Champagnes, because it is one of its specialties (well, at the time when we went there). We notably made a very beautiful discovery with the Champagne Mailly.
Hotel bar
Price: glass of brut or rosé Champagne €17 / tasting package of 3 glasses of Champagne €24
open from 7 AM to 10 PM
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Restaurants
The hotel’s chic bistro is led by chef Jimmy Elisabeth. When we tested it, the restaurant was still called Donatello but since the chef hasn’t changed, I suppose the cuisine is quite similar to the new La Véranda restaurant of the establishment.
In addition, at sunset time, at the indoor bar or at the hotel’s pool bar, you can find snacks to have with a glass from 12 PM to 10 PM. And finally, on the weekend, the chef offers barbecue or rotisserie menus prepared live, seasonal appetizer buffets, and gourmet desserts.
Mercure Chantilly Hotel Restaurants
Restaurant open from Sunday evening to Friday evening / lunch: 12 PM – 3 PM / dinner: 7 PM – 10 PM
Snack menu: every day from 3 PM to 7 PM
From Friday evening, BBQ/rotisserie formula from 12 PM to 3 PM and from 7 PM to 10 PM
Price: La Véranda Menu with appetizer + main course + dessert for €40 / Child Menu for €19
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Atelier des Petits Gourmands (Workshop for little gourmets)
The Chef sometimes offers workshops for adults and children throughout the year. During our stay, we participated in a workshop to learn how to make a Chantilly cream by the book. It was also an opportunity for me to test my lack of arm muscles… But I was still very proud to have succeeded in whipping my Chantilly cream by hand (with a little help from my favorite photographer, I must admit…). Workshop times are announced in the hotel via posters or on the establishment’s Facebook page.
Workshop for little gourmets
Rates: €12 per person
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The Golf Course
This 18-hole golf course is clearly one of the establishment’s big assets and I really regret that we didn’t have the time to take advantage of it to have an initiation to golf (because we clearly didn’t have the level to do the course). It will be for next time!
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Relaxation Area
The hotel has a fitness room, a hammam, a sauna, and two swimming pools (one indoor and the other outdoor for sunny days). Everything is accessible for free for hotel guests.
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Walk idea around the hotel
You can go for a walk without any problem in the surroundings of the hotel on foot or by bike (bike rental possible at the hotel, ask at the front desk). It’s an easily accessible, inexpensive activity idea and it allows you to enjoy the establishment’s bucolic setting.
Tested in 2019
Mercure Chantilly Resort & Conventions
4 Route d'Apremont, Vineuil Saint-Firmin
60500 Chantilly
Room rates: starting from €117 per night
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Thanks to Mercure Chantilly and Tout Un Monde for this invitation, as well as to the Domaine de Chantilly for the visit of the private apartments of the Duke of Aumale.
I hope that with all this I have made you want to discover or re-discover Chantilly and if you too have your own favorite addresses for staying and visiting this town, do not hesitate to share them in the comments!
Find all my articles on the Oise department in the Hauts-de-France region below:
⇒ All my articles on the Oise
⇒ All my articles on the Hauts-de-France
MY ARTICLES ON THE OISE
⇒ Chantilly
⇒ Le Parc Astérix
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez Photos are not royalty-free, photographer's authorization required before any use
