Your trip to the Yvelines begins at the gateway to Paris, a department rich in cultural, sporting and entertainment activities. The best-known town is of course Versailles, former residence of the kings of France. But this little corner of France is full of other surprises. On foot, by bike or on horseback, you'll be amazed by the wild, unspoilt countryside just 1 hour from the capital. To explore and in the Yvelines, the Hotel Dolce Versailles offers an exceptional setting and location. Hidden away in 14 hectares of wooded parkland, it's the perfect place for a relaxing holiday.
Going out in Yvelines A journey to the heart of France's castral heritage
The Château de Versailles
Yvelines is home to the 2nd most visited monument in France. With over 8 million visitors a year, the Château de Versailles beats all records. It's almost impossible to imagine a visit to the region without stopping off here. The world-famous former residence of the Kings of France is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. Everything about Versailles is gigantic: there are no fewer than 2,500 rooms and 800 hectares of gardens. Take a stroll through Marie-Antoinette's sumptuous English-style gardens and let yourself be guided into the intimacy of the private flats on a guided tour. There's plenty of choice when it comes to getting around the estate: on foot, by bike, by miniature train or even a boat trip on the Grand Canal. After a tiring day spent wandering around the château, what a pleasure it is to be able to return to your home. room, suite or flat to the Dolce Hotel in just 15 minutes by car. A luxury few hotels can boast!
The Castle of Monte Cristo
The Château de Versailles is the most emblematic, but there are no fewer than twenty other historic monuments in the Yvelines département. There's plenty to delight lovers of the arts and history. Among the region's châteaux is that of Monte-Cristo at Port-Marly. It was in the mid-19th century that the writer Alexandre Dumas commissioned the construction of this neo-renaissance building. With this project, he dared to do what no other writer had yet done: build a building to the glory of his own success! His initials proudly sit on the cupolas. What also makes this residence so rare is the attention paid to detail: all the facades are sculpted with the faces of artists who inspired the author. During this visit, you can also discover his personal home, a separate building in which he wrote some of his most famous novels. A great idea that the whole family will love to poto get out and about in the YvelinesTake a look at your literary classics!
Yvelines: going green just outside Paris
Saint-Cloud Park: the green lung of Yvelines
The department of 78 is known for its peace and quiet, its forests and parks, all less than an hour from the capital. A location much appreciated by Parisians in search of greenery and peace and quiet, but not only: tourists from all over the world come to take advantage of this strategic location. If you want to enjoy nature with your partner or family, there's a well-known destination: the Parc de Saint-Cloud. This 460-hectare estate is a veritable green lung, accessible in half an hour by train from Paris. An ideal place foro get out and breathe in the Yvelines, also in FranceThe park is a popular destination for joggers. This former royal estate has been listed as a historic monument since 1994, and its architecture and fountains make it one of the most beautiful parks in Europe. It's the perfect place to read by the water and discover an open-air exhibition. For enthusiasts, the Vélocipèderie even offers a hire service for bicycles, tandems, pedal cars, go-karts... a great way to discover the park in a different way.
The exceptional grounds of the Hotel Dolce Versailles
As soon as you step out of your room at the Dolce Versailles, you are greeted by peace and nature. This urban hotel offers a rare setting: a 14-hectare park at the Domaine du MontcelThis is a major advantage for many customers. This is a major advantage for many travellers who want to visit the Paris region away from the hustle and bustle of the capital. Would you have suspected to go out in the Yvelines fors it ever been so relaxing? The history of this green setting is intimately linked to that of the hotel itself. The Domaine du Montcel belonged for 150 years to the Oberkampf family, owners of the famous Jouy factory. The château from Moncel (the present-day hotel) was mainly maintained by Madame Oberkampf, who drew inspiration from the very fashionable tastes of the time to create her English-style garden. Aware that her home should also reflect her family's success in business, she drew inspiration from the park at the Petit Trianon. And, as with all bourgeois homes, a forest was de rigueur so that guests could indulge in the pleasures of hunting and walks in the woods. Can you recognise the two-hundred-year-old cedar that lives here places?
A cultural break to get out and about in Yvelines
Back to the town's glorious past: the Musée de la toile de Jouy
During your stay for in the Yvelines, it is It's essential to discover the wonders of culture. And there's no need to travel far to do so! The Musée de la Toile de Jouy is just 10 minutes from Le Dolce, giving you the chance to find out more about this illustrious family to whom the château-hôtel has long belonged. Christophe-Philippe Oberkampf, a German engraver and printer, became director of the factory in 1760. His geographical proximity to Paris and Versailles and the quality of his work soon drew attention to him, and he went on to produce a number of tapestries for the royal family. In 1806 he was even awarded the Légion d'honneur by Napoleon I! You're bound to know some of his designs without knowing it, luxury brands have made it one of their favourite motifs. And you'll even find a nod to them in the Spa by Sothys of the Hotel Dolce.
(Re)discover the most beautiful pieces at the Opéra royal de Versailles.
Here's an original idea you won't regretter to go out in the Yvelines: go to the opera! These venues still suffer from their elitist, boring and inaccessible reputation. However, tickets are available at all price levels and the repertoire is varied enough to captivate young and old alike. The Opéra Royal is located in the grounds of the castle of the kings of France - not bad, eh? Dreamt up by Louis XIV, built under Louis XV and inaugurated in 1770 by Louis XVI, the Opéra Royal is a veritable jewel of technique and decorative refinement: its decor, painted wooden structure and remarkable acoustics leave a lasting impression. Following a major renovation, the venue has been open to the public again since 2009. Each year, a rich programme of around a hundred shows is presented, including operas, concerts, recitals, theatre and ballets. The musical season returns this prestigious stage to the function for which it was built: a place for theatrical and musical life.
