The Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay: a place steeped in history
The Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay is a 12th-century Cistercian abbey nestling in the heart of the Vallée de Chevreuse in the Rambouillet national forest. It was a Cistercian abbey until the French Revolution, and then the property of a number of private owners. It was not until 1988 that it became a hotel.
Classified as a historical monument in 1994, the site was transformed into a luxury hotel in September 2023, after undergoing a major renovation orchestrated by Eiffage Construction subsidiary Pradeau Morin.
Pradeau Morin set about the complete exterior and interior renovation of the abbey. This emblematic project was initiated by KEYS, in partnership with Paris Society, with the aim of turning this former abbey into a prestigious hotel, where history and modernity meet.
A complete renovation for a high-end makeover
This ambitious project was inaugurated on 20 October 2023. It includes the transformation of 13 buildings, including the abbey itself, into a hotel with 110 rooms and suites. It also houses three exceptional restaurants as well as two bars.
The complex covers an area of 12,800 m² net floor area (NFA) and boasts a magnificent 80-hectare park. The work began in March 2022 and was completed in September 2023, a major transformation completed in just 18 months.
«Along with conducting works on a listed site, the very tight deadline was the main challenge,» says Stéphane Mette, project director.
This colossal project mobilised an impressive 300-strong workforce, including 16 at peak times for the structural work.
In addition to the meticulous restoration of the existing structures, the project also included the creation of a cinema, a karaoke room, a luxurious spa, as well as the renovation of the swimming pool and seminar rooms.
Today, the Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay is a luxury destination, combining history, culture, gastronomy and relaxation, at the gateway to Paris for a complete break.
Project participants
- Project owner: KEYS
- Deputy project owner: Paris Society
- Assistant to Project owner: CORTEX PROJECT
- General contractor: AXHOMA
- Historical monuments architect: Pierre BORTOLUSSI
Photo credits: Thierry Favatier
