The Velvet House, a vacation home rental in the Forêt de Fontainebleau, France

Where Architecture Meets the Wild, 45 Minutes from Paris

Designed by a nature-loving creative, this house in the forest invites you to slow down, tune out the noise, and reconnect with what matters most—time, space, and people. Mornings begin with a forest walk, afternoons end in the sauna. Evenings gather around the fire under a canopy of stars.

Tucked quietly at the edge of the Fontainebleau Forest, just 45 minutes from Paris, this minimalist haven in Le Vaudoué is a modern refuge, surrounded by the pristine beauty of the Gâtinais Français Regional Nature Park The 200m² house blends Scandinavian simplicity with French countryside charm. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the surrounding woodland, allowing nature to become the home’s central artwork.

Layout

3 bedrooms with queen-size beds

1 bedroom with two single beds

3 bathrooms with walk-in showers

Open-plan living and dining room

Dedicated workspace

Fully equipped kitchen with electric stove, oven, fridge, microwave, dishwasher, three coffee options (Nespresso, filter, and bean-to-cup), and basics (olive oil, spices, etc).

Additional features

The house has a large garden with no direct neighbors. It has an outdoor dining table and barbecue area, private sauna, cold plunge, outdoor shower with forest views, fire pit (braséro), shaded lounge for late-night conversations, and petanque court. There is an indoor fireplace stocked with logs, high-speed WiFi, a 55" screen with Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV, an honesty bar with snacks and drinks. Bathrooms have robes, hair dryers and eco toiletries. Family amenities include a high chair and a changing table, as well as books and games.

Around

Located in Le Vaudoué, the house is surrounded by protected woodland and just minutes from some of France’s best hiking and bouldering routes. Nearby gems include Fontainebleau (20 mins) for château visits and village strolls, Barbizon (the famous artist’s town), Milly-la-Forêt for farmers markets and Jean Cocteau’s house, and bouldering zones that are just five minutes away by car.