Anytime I have the opportunity to get out of DC and escape to the Virginia countryside, I’m in. And, a few weekends ago, I was invited to an event at the Ashby Inn, which included an overnight stay at this delightful bed and breakfast in Paris, VA.
Also, for those of you in the area, I immediately have a bad connotation when I see “Northern Virginia” on the website, but this is NOT in what most of us think of as Northern Virginia. It is in a stunning and bucolic part of Fauquier County!
Where is Paris, VA?
Paris, you ask? Why, yes, there is Paris in Virginia. The city was named by a man who fought in the Revolutionary War with General Lafayette, and he decided to bring a bit of France to Virginia in his honor. The Ashby Inn leans into the theme, somehow infusing the most charming hunt country inn with a hint of French flair.
For those unfamiliar with the area, Paris is what the internet tells me is an “unincorporated hamlet in Fauquier County.” It’s a one road residential village in one of the most beautiful area of Virginia, where, thankfully, development seems to have left the immediate area untouched for now. You’ll find RdV Vineyards, Delaplane Cellars, Sky Meadows State Park, and, besides for a handful of other nearby shops in other towns, this area is the type of place where you simply relax and enjoy the incredibly countryside views.
Weekend at the Ashby Inn Review
The Ashby Inn greets you as soon as you drive into Paris, and, even on the dreariest of early fall days, the area was jawdropping. Watching the fog over the mountains made me wonder if this could be even more stunning than a sunny day. The Inn has two buildings, and we stayed in the Settle Room, one of the suites within The Schoolhouse. This 1893 building has four rooms, each with sitting areas and back porches that overlook the mountains. I may have taken a hundred photos from that porch.
The benefit of the cloudy, rainy day was walking into a cozy scene where the two comfortable chairs by the fireplace and the stack of books and magazines seemed to beckon. I can’t think of a better way to spend a late Sunday afternoon. We opened the door so we could hear the rain pitter pattering through the screen and, truly, this was perfection.
We had dinner at the Inn, which is available for guests beyond the Inn itself to book. This fine dining restaurant has a loyal following and, as the couple next to us told us, they came once, and they’ve been back five times now. A weekend at the Ashby Inn, with stops at vineyards and dinner at the Inn’s restaurant, has become one of their regular haunts.
Retiring back to our room after dinner, we found port with two small glasses, perfect for sipping by the fireplace.
After a good night’s sleep on a full belly, we woke up to the sun and the peaceful sense that comes from hearing the birds over the mountains. We made coffee in the room and sat on the rocking chairs on the room’s private porch before heading over to the main building for breakfast, which is included in the stay.
With checkout at 11 AM, we pushed it as late as we could, trying to squeeze out every last minute of staying on this delightful property. Next time, we promised, we’ll stay for an entire weekend.
