Hôtel Les Hayes in Sologne: a 4-star estate between Chambord and Cheverny

Situated between the Châteaux of Chambord and Cheverny, both of which can be reached by bike from the hotel, the 180-hectare Domaine des Hayes (classified as a Natura 2000 site) is the perfect place for a sylvan interlude.

Caroline Mignot Published today at 8:01 AM

Once through the gates, the nearly one-kilometer driveway gives you time to soak up the tranquility of Les Hayes. The former hunting lodge, transformed into a 4-star hotel in 2024, then comes into view, set against a large park - a favorite playground for deer in the early morning - and its pond. The 19 rooms, shared between the XIXᵉ century château and the Solognote, a longère in which the lobby and restaurant are located, each have their own identity and little name. From the "cocoon" room to the family suite
from the "cocoon" room to the family suite for up to six people, the wallpaper colors and patterns vary from soft to more intense hues and plant prints, as do the views - forest, castle or pond. All benefit from services designed to make the most of their stay, such as the daily snack at 4 p.m. announced by the the bell, or the fact that access to the rooms is free until 6 p.m. on Sundays, ideal for a final shower after the pool and before you leave.

Hotel Les Hayes Boudoir Château © Julie Ansiau julie Ansiau

Castle life

The east-facing living room, boudoir and dining room on the first floor of the château are bathed in light from dawn. The fireplace crackles in season, and the scent of coffee wafts through the air as breakfast is served. Morning delights include salmon gravlax from the chef duo, jams from Chantal Vinot, based in La Ferté-Imbault, and honey from Abeilles de Noé, Tour-en-Sologne, whose hives are located on the estate. For indoor activities, the lounge with billiard table, turntable and vinyl records, library and board games entertain young and old alike. From spring onwards, the seating, set up under the trees in various parts of the park, offers as many opportunities to stroll as to contemplate. The outdoor swimming pool (heated from May to the end of September) and the banks of the pond make for peaceful hours near the château. Braséro get-togethers allow guests to meet each other and the owners, when they're present, over a glass of wine and a platter of charcuterie or marshmallows to toast with plaids, provided if the weather turns cool. Night-time walks are organized along the hiking trails, with the chance of catching a glimpse of... a deer! in autumn, its bellowing can be heard in every corner of Les Hayes. On a quieter day, an astronomy evening on a clear day is a must. Thanks to a telescope and a dedicated application, observing the stars and constellations is full of surprises and allows you to dream of real journeys into space. The visibility of the surrounding area is exceptional. It's no coincidence that the regional astronomical observatory is based in the same commune as the hotel.

Hotel Les Hayes Bibliothèque ©julie Ansiau julie Ansiau

The estate and its surroundings

Still on the estate, other more active pleasures. Tennis, pétanque or ping-pong on the courts at the edge of the woods, laser game in the forest for team players, or escape game with map and decoder. For hikers, there are maps to help you choose from small and large circuits (10 km of paths are signposted), pond to the east, oak glade to the west. And if you've forgotten your boots, don't panic: the "boots and umbrellas bar" is a great place to borrow them. For those who prefer to cycle (electric bikes are optional), two-wheelers are available on loan, enabling you to set off on the trails or to reach, in less than 45 minutes, the not-to-be-missed castles of Chambord and Cheverny, or the little-known Château de Villesavin, to admire them or visit them, with a picnic provided.
or visit them with a picnic lunch provided by the chef, on request. For those who wish to stay in the park, the picnic basket can also be set out on the lawn, near the bald cypress, for example. This majestic tree, which faces the château, has the particularity of revealing its lyre-shaped trunk when it loses its foliage in autumn. Le Cyprès Chauve is also the name of Les Hayes restaurant, a country bistro set in the Solognese countryside, with a terrace overlooking the pond in fine weather. Chefs Cyprien Chapelle and Lucie Brillant prepare their dishes in line with the seasons, drawing on the region's many vegetables. The menu features black pudding croustillant, butternut cannelloni, feta and quinoa, poultry ballotine, purée and asparagus, finishing with a rhubarb and strawberry vacherin. serve with a glass of Cyrille Sevin's full-bodied, silky Cheverny cuvée Le Bois du Bisson.