Sylvie Verfallie, a strong ambition for the château of Maffliers

There are already many resorts in the Ile-de-France region, why choose Maffliers?

At only 30 minutes from Paris, the château of Maffliers enables to totally disconnect and to go green in a lush park of 27 hectares. All our clients agree that there is incredible potential in this château of the Renaissance era that hosted many leading figureheads and that was the setting for several films. My goal is to develop a great number of activities there.

How to go from a Novotel to a 4 star with charm?

Our project is to offer a global site with 3 different ranges in terms of the resort. The deluxe cottages, that will soon be built on the former stables, will meet another demand, because we aim to become an authentic country estate.

Are you going to recruit a star chef?

It's planned! We will have the support of a leading chef for our new menu, concocted with our in-house chef, David Lasry, who worked for many famous names such as the Ritz, Groupe Barrière and Drugstore Publicis. My aim is for Maffliers to become a goumet destination. All star-studded, of course…

This Summer, set up your lounging chair in front of this elegant homestead and order a cocktail, you deserve it… © DR

The chef knows how to transform a simple tomato into an ephemeral work of art. © DR

What is the purpose of your partnership with Apiterra, the expert in urban apiculture?

I am very sensitive to the protection of the environment and sustainable development. Upon meeting Ronan de Kervénoaël, the manager of Apiterra, I decided to install beehives in the park to make our clients more aware of their preservation and organize weekends revolving around apiculture in order for them to enjoy their personal honey harvesting at breakfast.

How did you climb up all the steps of the Accord group?

I started off my career at the bottom of the ladder, as a receptionist and was very keen to learn. Then, I benefitted from several in-house training programs, but I was adamant about working in several different branches of the group such as barman, housekeeper or part of the restaurant staff. I had to be aware of how each task is challenging in order to manage my own establishment. Today, the Grape Hospitality Group, that is a franchise of the Accord group with 85 hotels spanning several brands, gives me the opportunity of managing Château de Maffliers under my entire responsibility.

Who are your clients?

46% business 39% leisure, the rest comprises groups with a high proportion of international clients.

More congresses and seminars, do you have a more upscale vision?

I was lucky to have already hosted l'Oréal, Hermès, Renault and several blue chip companies listed on the Cac 40, all of which trust us. We have the entire infratuscuture necessary to organize and provide team building in a bucolic environemnt. This is quite rare, because our product is very flexible.

Inside the chateau, you will recognize the backdrop of films such as The Mohicans of Paris and The Heart of Men. © DR

Ideal for a high-end corporate lunch, the Salon des Fresques is a historical monument bordered by nature. © DR