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VISIT: TRIANON PALACE – WALDORF ASTORIA: A PRESTIGIOUS STOPOVER IN THE GARDENS OF HISTORY (France)
Between imperial memories and contemporary elegance, the Trianon Palace reveals a unique harmony between heritage and modernity. |
Category: Europe - France - Industry economy
- Renovation / Addition
Article written by Romane Le Royer on Friday 29 August 2025
 The main entrance to the Trianon Palace, marked by its columns and canopy
Photo credit © Julie Frontali / Journal des Palaces
Built by architect René Sergent, it was inaugurated on 1 May 1910 on the former site of a Capuchin monastery.
This place has had several lives: a holiday residence, a British military hospital during the First World War, and the headquarters of the German Air Force during the Second. The hotel notably hosted the Inter-Allied War Council in 1917, and on 7 May 1919, in the salon that now bears his name, Georges Clemenceau dictated the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, which was signed a few days later at the Palace of Versailles. Later, Charles de Gaulle, Queen Elizabeth II and renowned artists such as Jacques Brel and Jean Gabin walked its corridors. The Trianon Palace does not flaunt its rich history: it embodies it.
A member of the Waldorf Astoria collection since 2009 and owned by billionaire Michel Ohayon since 2014, it remains faithful to this discreet grandeur, which favours memory over style.
Just twenty kilometres from Paris, the Trianon Palace stands as a secret retreat between city and countryside. Upon arrival, the tree-lined driveway leads to a vast three-hectare landscaped park. Here, everything seems designed to soothe without numbing: light-coloured furniture, deep seats, fluid circulation and natural light everywhere. From the high-windowed lounges and the terrace, where the soft summer light caresses the foliage, the Journal des Palaces gazed beyond the trimmed hedges of the royal estate.
Rooms with views and unobstructed horizons
The 199 rooms and suites are spread over two buildings. The Trianon Palace, the five-star main building, has 85 rooms, ranging from 30 to 60 square metres for family rooms, and 15 suites, ranging from 57 to 150 square metres for the Versailles Suite, some of which have a direct view of the grounds of the Palace of Versailles. The Pavillon, a four-star, more contemporary building, offers 99 rooms facing the gardens or tree-lined avenues.
Some suites reveal unexpected surprises: the Terrace Suite, accessible via a discreet staircase that you almost stumble upon by chance, features a grand piano, a panoramic terrace and 110 m² of interior space inspired by Parisian apartments. Others, with sloping ceilings, recreate the atmosphere of a literary retreat under the eaves, in the style of Marcel Proust, a former regular guest. No detail has been overlooked: concealed light switches, USB sockets near the bed, and absolute silence despite the proximity of the city, as in all areas of the hotel.
Gastronomy in three acts
Three establishments share the same philosophy: excellence without formality. The Michelin-starred restaurant Gordon Ramsay au Trianon, under the direction of chef Gabriele Ravasio, offers precise, straightforward cuisine inspired by the French terroir.
In the bright dining room opening onto French gardens, the tables are spaced apart and simply laid, with shiny polished metal cutlery contrasting with the matt tableware. The dishes reveal flawless culinary mastery, with a clear balance of flavours that is deliberately classic but never heavy. The menus are available in five and seven courses, for dinner only. Examples include Salers beef tartare with black truffle, and Essonne trout with almonds and radishes in salted butter. The bread is homemade, sourdough, served warm under a linen cloth. The meticulous service does not forget the warmth of the gesture.
La Véranda, the property's second restaurant, plays the high-end brasserie card. Open all day, it offers revisited classics in a bright setting, extended by a terrace opening onto the park. Executive chef Frédéric Larquemin's menu showcases seasonal produce, prepared with meticulous care. For lunch and dinner, guests can enjoy yellow chicken supreme, fava bean and chanterelle risotto, or whole sole meunière. Pastry chef Eddie Benghanem's desserts are equally perfect: crispy strawberry Saint-Honoré, ‘Millot plantation’ chocolate shortbread with vanilla and tonka bean, and delicious tangy Sicilian lemon tart.
On summer evenings, the atmosphere moves to the Jardin du Trianon, where gourmet barbecues take place under hanging lanterns. The meat, marinated in advance, is cut to order and accompanied by grilled vegetables or smoked potatoes with herbs from the garden. Artisanal ice creams round off the meal on the terrace.
Finally, the Peacock Alley bar, a tribute to the founders of the Waldorf and Astoria in New York, is a period salon transformed into a lively venue. In the quiet of the morning, the place reveals its hushed character before the evening's entertainment begins. Creative cocktails, aperitif platters and refined finger food are available throughout the day. In the evening, the atmosphere changes with club armchairs and jazzy playlists. Among the creations of the house's head barman, Hervé Da Silva, are the ‘Waldorf Cocktail’, a blend of whisky and white vermouth, and the ‘Marquise’ with gin and elderflower liqueur.
A royally modern sense of well-being
The newly renovated Guerlain Spa is the discreet jewel of the Trianon. Covering nearly 2,800 square metres, it features a light-filled indoor pool, a sauna, a hammam and a high-end fitness area.
Fourteen treatment rooms, some of which are double, offer facials and body treatments by the French brand in a soothing, mineral-inspired atmosphere. The central swimming pool, sheltered under a glass roof, is lined with deckchairs where guests can read or meditate.
In the grounds, two tennis courts open in fine weather and a gym complete the wellness offering. Guests can also stroll freely through the garden paths, enjoying the fresh air and nature, with chairs scattered here and there, inviting them to relax.
A range of activities for all paces
Beyond relaxation, the Trianon Palace offers a range of activities designed to suit all tastes. Culture lovers can enjoy private tours of the Palace of Versailles or its gardens, organised on request. Electric bikes are also available to explore the city or the wooded surroundings in complete freedom. For younger guests, a family concierge service suggests fun and educational experiences, such as baking workshops, treasure hunts in the park and supervised art activities. Inside the property, yoga and guided meditation sessions, as well as wine and food masterclasses, are regularly scheduled, allowing guests to enjoy their stay at their own pace.
The Trianon Palace does not seek to impose a vision of luxury, but rather to allow each guest to project their own. This rare flexibility makes it a place of memories in motion. A place that is lived in, but never static.
 The entrance gallery of the Trianon Palace, a long, light-filled passageway that opens onto the hotel's various areas
Photo credit © Julie Frontali / Journal des Palaces
 Bright, tastefully decorated rooms, where every detail contributes to an exceptional stay.
Photo credit © Julie Frontali / Journal des Palaces
 Some rooms offer breathtaking views of the park, extending the Trianon Palace experience beyond its walls
Photo credit © Waldorf Astoria Versailles - Trianon Palace
 The Terrace Suite and its piano reflect the elegance and refinement that characterize the Trianon Palace
Photo credit © Waldorf Astoria Versailles - Trianon Palace
 On the terrace of Gordon Ramsay au Trianon, you can enjoy the finesse of the dishes while looking out over the park of Versailles.
Photo credit © Julie Frontali / Journal des Palaces
 Also overlooking the gardens, the Veranda at the Trianon Palace offers a bright space for all your culinary moments throughout the day
Photo credit © Waldorf Astoria Versailles - Trianon Palace
 Le Peacock Alley propose cocktails et apéritifs dans un cadre élégant
Photo credit © Waldorf Astoria Versailles - Trianon Palace
 The gardens, with their green spaces and carefully designed views, extend the refined atmosphere of the hotel
Photo credit © Julie Frontali / Journal des Palaces
 Freshly renovated, the Guerlain spa pool is bathed in light under a bright and elegant glass roof
Photo credit © Jennifer Lavaud / Waldorf Astoria Versailles - Trianon Palace
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