Interior Inspiration: a farm to table restaurant and guesthouse in the French countryside

For my birthday a couple weeks ago, Victor booked a surprise stay at Le Doyenné, a farm, restaurant and guesthouse in the French countryside. It’s located just one hour south of Paris in a small village called Saint-Vrain, where French American sculptor, Niki de Saint Phalle and Swiss sculptor Tinguely created their monumental sculptures in the ’70s. I’ve been wanting to visit since it opened, having followed the renovation journey of the owners, Australian chefs Shaun Kelly and James Henry, who cut their teeth and gained recognition at some of Paris’ best restaurants, including Au Passage, Yard and Bones.

The property sits within the grounds of Château de Saint-Vrain, which was once the country retreat belonging to the Countess du Barry and Borghese family. The guesthouse and farm shop are now

housed in its former stables, whilst the restaurant takes up the cavernous space of the old barn that has undergone a complete restoration and now enjoys panoramic views of the potager (kitchen garden) - the farm that supplied many of Paris’s restaurants with produce before Le Doyenné opened for business. The result is a beautifully rustic property, featuring large stone fireplaces, exposed wooden beams and original terracotta floor tiles, complemented by a lovely mix of vintage furniture and ceramics. The bedrooms are simple, but beautifully decorated with traditional fixtures in keeping with the property’s age. It’s a must visit if you’re in Paris. 

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Words & photos by Marissa Cox.