A luxury B&B with pool, this boutique-hotel near Paris is 5*

And we think that there are two reasons why this luxury B&B in St-Etienne-Roilaye rates so very highly and fits the bill beautifully for romantic weekend breaks: for starters, following its complete renovation in 2019, it boasts all the hallmarks of a luxury hotel: heated swimming pool, air conditioning, mini bar, king size Sealy beds, bathrobes ‒ and then style-wise, well… see for yourself. Although centuries ago it was a working textiles mill (‘Moulin’ is ‘mill’, and ‘Royale’ comes from the fact its fashionable fabrics caught the eye of Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoléon III) it looks every bit the elegant French chateau ‒ all chic shutters, sparkling stone façade, manicured hedges and period wrought iron fixtures.

Now come inside. From the communal areas to your private open-plan suite (more like an apartment in area!), you’ll feel like you’ve landed inside the pages of a glossy interiors mag, in what they might call the on-trend ‘Modern Rustic’ look: exposed brick, beams and echoes of a traditional hunting lodge juxtaposed with deep-blues and sumptuous velvets, copper tones, luxury vintage objets d’art and handsome Chesterfield sofas. But the attention to detail is not just in how it looks but how it feels too: Moulin Royale has officially partnered with Frette, Chopin and Esteban ‒ purveyors of finest linens, luxury toiletry products and exclusive candles respectively ‒ to offer guests on romantic weekend breaks the ultimate sensory experience.

The result is that you’ll feel pampered just by being here on a French chateau holiday ‒ and that extends to the outside too: four acres of manicured lawns and a gorgeous outdoor heated swimming pool in a spot so peaceful you can truly appreciate the surrounding nature, from the sound of the stream to the wonderful wildlife (deer, fox, boar, pheasants ‒ to name but a few).

And beyond? Well, you’re spoiled for choice around Compiègne. If you like the sound of time travelling, there’s everything from the 800 year old oak in pretty-as-a-picture village St-Jean-aux-Bois, to the eye-popping chateaux at famous Compiègne and Pierrefonds and the railway carriage tucked away in the forest where the WW1 armistice was signed. If the buzz of the city appeals instead, Paris is only an hour away by train or car ‒ or for something gentler, the area also lends itself to cycling; simply ask to borrow the B&B’s bikes, order up a delicious French picnic and head off on a two-wheel adventure for the day. Whichever way the dice rolls on your romantic weekend break, Moulin Royale’s boutique luxury will put Northern France on your forever map. Enjoy!