Jeanne & the Forest's history and transformation

Jeanne & the Forest, a private residence with a rather eventful history, is located in Gouvieux, in the Oise, just a short distance from Chantilly, famous as the "City of Art and History", about 60 km from Paris. The name refers to the surrounding forest and the Baroness Jeanne de Rothschild, who constructed the Château de Montvillargenne in the early 20th century in the heart of a 6-hectare park.

Renovation and new features

Of an eclectic Anglo-Norman style, the property became the largest castle-hotel in France in 1985, was labelled 4 stars in 2003 and later Clef Verte, and acquired in 2025 by the independent French group 369° Hôtels & Maisons. It underwent a major renovation, including the transformation of 120 rooms, the creation of a wellness area, and the reopening under the name Jeanne & the Forest.

Diverse clientele and future plans

The establishment offers a sumptuous wedding room, art of living, green stays, and high-end workation stays near Paris. It also hosts numerous meetings and seminars, achieving 60% of its activity in MICE, with companies mainly from the Paris region and, for the most part, during the week. The leisure clientele comes mainly on the weekend, from the Paris region, Western Europe, and the United States. The installation of air conditioning in all rooms is planned for next year.

Grand Pavillon Chantilly's background

The Grand Pavillon Chantilly, a 4-star hotel located on the site of an old mill and the old laundry of the Chantilly domain, had benefited from a complete transformation in 2019 before its opening under the Hyatt Regency Chantilly brand. It was acquired by the Lyon-based Lavorel Hotels group at the end of 2021 and underwent interior decoration adjustments to support its "chic countryside" positioning.

Hotel operations and guest profile

The establishment, composed of nine pavilions in a wooded park, offers 215 rooms and shares between business and leisure clientele. Romain Dauvergne, its director, notes that during the good season, it is filled with Parisians who come to get green on the weekend, often enjoying the pool without visiting the region.

Hotel Mont Royal Chantilly Intercontinental's history

The Hotel Mont Royal Chantilly Intercontinental, originally a castle built at the beginning of the 20th century on a hill at the edge of the Chantilly forest, was transformed into a 5-star hotel by the Fonds Concorde. After its recent acquisition by two wealthy French families, it underwent important modernization works before reopening in 2024 under the international brand InterContinental Chantilly Château Mont Royal.

Modernization and amenities

The hotel preserved its high ceilings, moldings, and majestic volumes but adopted a more fluid, luminous, and minimalist interior decoration with contemporary furniture. It offers 109 rooms, a gourmet restaurant, a bar-restaurant, a spa, and ten seminar rooms. The hotel also has a landing strip for helicopter access.

Auberge du Jeu de Paume's ownership and features

The Auberge du Jeu de Paume, another five-star hotel in the Chantilly area, was acquired in April 2023 by the Sana Hotels chain, owned by the Portuguese group Azinor. The establishment has kept its classic 18th-century decor and the timeless elegance of the Jouy fabric. It received the G7 summit in 2019 and strives to embody "the art of living French."

Targeting new markets

The hotel has 92 rooms, including 25 suites, and offers a conference center, a Spa by Valmont, and a gourmet restaurant. It welcomes both business and leisure clientele and now aims to position itself more on the Benelux market. The head concierge, Thomas Jory, has access to an exceptional network to book the best tables and private activities, including helicopter landings on its lawn for a cost of 1,080€.

Domaine de Chantilly's significance and financial needs

The Domaine de Chantilly, a former refuge of the princes of Condé and now property of the Académie française, houses a magnificent castle, a park designed by Le Nôtre, the Royal Stables, and a Living Museum of the Horse. The castle, largely rebuilt in the 19th century by the Duke of Aumale, has a second richest collection of ancient paintings in France, including works by Raphael, Botticelli, Titian, Ingres, and Delacroix.

Financial challenges and fundraising efforts

The Domaine faces financial difficulties after the departure of Karim Aga Khan IV, who had given it 6 million euros per year. Director of patronage and institutional relations, Viviane Olivo, is trying to convince major companies, banks, and wealthy patrons, especially Americans, to make a gesture. She is prospecting in France, Florida, Texas, China, and India. The Domaine needs 33 million euros over fifteen years for emergency work in the Library, Hamlet, Grand Stables, and the Vatel Museum project.

Chantilly's role as the "Capital of the Horse"

Chantilly is also the "Capital of the Horse," hosting the largest French gallop training center and the first French Polo Club with 9 fields. The city has 5,000 horses, including 2,500 racehorses. Olivier Malherbe, director of the Chantilly-Senlis Tourist Office, notes that one of the great "musts" of a stay is to attend the training of the horses in the early morning on the hippodrome or on the tracks traced in the woods.

Experiences and luxury in Chantilly

Françoise Sauque, director of "Le Royaume du cheval," offers on reservation to live this experience. Jeanne & the Forest honors this tradition by organizing hat-making workshops for clients attending the Prix du Jockey Club and the Prix de Diane. In Gouvieux, known for its picturesque troglodytic houses, Anne de la Forge offers workshops on creating enameled metal art. Olivier Malherbe emphasizes that luxury in Chantilly is not ostentatious but offers the possibility to take one's time to live an exceptional heritage in a personalized and privileged way.