The Hill House, Herblay

Some places meet expectations.

Some exceed it.

Then there are those special few that take you to where you didn't know existed, where you could not have had any expectations. But once there, discover it was everything you hadn't known you needed, yet was where you'd always wanted to be.

The Hill House was such a place.

The moment we stepped into this home, we broke into smiles we could not contain. Giggles of joy. The photos were faithful to the aesthetic, but could never do justice to the experiential quality of this home - clearly built, over time, with love. Every creaky floorboard exuded warmth; every window captured a stress-eliminating view; every turn a vignette only a discerning eye with an impeccable, eclectic style could put together.

Our host was staying the same weekend in his apartment, which occupied the ground level of the house. Apart from the very warm welcome he received us with, and bade us farewell, he was discreet; giving us so much space and privacy we didn't even know he was there.

Until we realised the daily piano 'recital' we were enjoying - thinking it was a very talented concert pianist neighbour - was him. A treat that added to our stay in such a lovely way - we could not help but feel grateful.

Completely unpretentious. Totally unexpected. Wholly joyous.

If you need to unplug from Paris, without travelling far from it, this is it.

It truly is.