An enchanting getaway just outside the capital
If you ask a hotel owner what they most want to offer their guests, the promise of restful nights often tops the list. Just an hour’s drive west of Paris, the Verneuil-la-Douce estate—an intimate 17-room retreat steeped in art—takes this ambition far beyond simply providing high-end bedding. From its glass-enclosed lounge adorned with frescoes inspired by Greek mythology to its spa and indoor pool opening onto the gardens, every corner of this 19th-century Anglo-Norman château has been designed to immerse guests in a gentle reverie. “Our goal was to inspire wonder and invite contemplation,” says Camille Omerin, the Parisian entrepreneur behind this renaissance.
When contemporary design breathes new life into a historic site
Opened in the spring after two and a half years of meticulous renovations, this establishment marks Camille Omerin’s first foray into the hotel industry, a world she has embraced with remarkable ease. To enhance the space, she enlisted seven designers from her circle or whose artistic approach she admired. The outdoor pool, for example, was entrusted to painter Ben Arpéa, who infused it with his unique and colorful visual identity.
However, it is likely Ségolène Derudder, a graphic designer and illustrator based between Paris and Biarritz, who has left the deepest mark on the estate’s soul. Tasked with bringing the common areas to life, she has adorned them with dreamlike murals. Looking up at the dining room ceiling, you might even spot a blue-haired cherub playing the violin. “Her work is full of playful details like that,” the owner notes enthusiastically.
Custom-designed interiors with masterful finishes
The furniture and decor reflect meticulous attention to detail. The hostess herself sketched out a large portion of the pieces: from the Napoleon III-inspired chairs framing the restaurant tables to the wooden headboards, coffee tables, and desks in the bedrooms. The lighting and ornaments continue this level of detail, featuring wall sconces and vases with botanical motifs specifically crafted by the DM Création ceramics studio. This constant interplay between modernity and heritage creates the illusion that certain very contemporary finishes—such as the black marble inlays in the parquet flooring or the delicate woodwork carved with vine leaves—have been part of the house since its foundation.
A dining experience that extends the escape
The sensory journey naturally extends to the plate. At Le Patiné, the hotel’s restaurant, Chef Cyril Coutin presents a vibrant culinary symphony, where the beauty of the plating is matched only by the precision of the flavors. A comprehensive gastronomic experience that, on its own, makes you irresistibly want to book an extra night to dine once more in this timeless setting.