Historic houses of Saint-Germain-en-Laye

The Château Vieux de Saint-Germain-en-Laye holds historical secrets within its walls. Uncover mysteries from the Paleolithic Era to the Early Middle Ages at the Musée d'Archéologie nationale de Saint-Germain.The museum offers guided tours and activities for children that will help you understand, learn about and be amazed by its archaeological finds. It also offers a free mobile app to assist you during your visit that will enable you to discover the wealth and variety of the collections. 'Décourvrir les collections' is the first tour offered by the 'ArcheoMAN' app. A real journey through time, the tour begins with the Megaloceros skull in the Paleolithic gallery and ends with Viking armoury of the Early Middle Ages. The 70 objects presented on the app will lead you through the ages and give you a guided tour of the museum's galleries. After you've visited the château and its collections, head for the roof gardens for – weather permitting – an exceptional view of the whole of the estate and the Seine Valley, which stetches out at your feet!

The Maurice Denis departmental museum conceals a dense history in the maze of its vaulted corridors and gives pride of place to symbolist and Nabis painters whose works are revealed during your journey.Discover a garden dotted with sculptures and planted with tall trees, below a terrace and a former 17th century hospital. Now listed as a historic monument, this imposing building built at the end of the 17th century at the request of Madame de Montespan was then a royal general hospital which welcomed the needy. In 1914 Maurice Denis acquired this building in the garden of which he already had a workshop. He restored it, named it "The Priory" and lived there with his family until the end of his life. The initial fund of the museum was constituted by an exceptional donation made in 1976 by the family of Maurice Denis. Since then, numerous donations and acquisitions of works by Symbolist and Nabis artists, this innovative artistic movement at the crossroads of the 19th and 20th centuries, have enriched it. Thus, alongside the works of Maurice Denis illustrating religious and family themes, intimate scenes, or landscapes of Italy and Brittany, are exhibited paintings by Sérusier, Bonnard, Ranson, Vuilliard,... among the friends of the artist. . Do not miss to enter the chapel of the old hospital, one of the treasures of the place. The unique decor is the most complete and characteristic religious pictorial ensemble of the artist. Tiered on the hillside, the garden in which the museum is nestled invites you to stroll by offering varied landscapes and a rich botanical trail. Around the museum, a first level decorated with sculptures by Antoine Bourdelle, a close friend of the owner of the premises, is made up of a shaded courtyard and a long terrace lined with lime trees and hundred-year-old yews. From there, you reach the alley of the rose garden and a vast green theater lined with tall trees. Below stretch the old orchard and the vegetable garden, embellished with a fountain and a pond. Strolling through this harmonious garden provides a better understanding of the importance of nature in the painter's work and life. The garden space is now the privileged setting for plastic arts workshops and open-air concerts... A museum and a collection to discover without delay in the heart of Saint-Germain-en-Laye! Attention people with reduced mobility will not be able to access the floors, the elevator was out of order for an indefinite period.

The Rampe des Grottes, the Mur des Lions and the Pavillons Henri IV (where Louis XIV was baptised) and Sully (situated at Pecq) are the last remaining vestiges of the Château-Neuf and the magnificent composition of terraced gardens leading down to the Seine.The Rampe des Grottes was once fitted out in grand style: the hydraulic diversions gave much pleasure to Henri IV and his guests. It led from the bottom of the terraced gardens to the Château-neuf. Distinguished artists, including the Francini brothers, collaborated to create seven artificial grottoes beneath the terraces, each one housing amazing automatons. A SITE REWARDED IN 2017 Today, the Rampe des Grottes is classed as a Monument Historique, and in 2017, it was presented with the 'Rubans du patrimoine' regional award. THE RAMPE REKINDLED FOR 2017 HERITAGE DAYS In 2017, for the European Heritage Days, the Carabosse company decided to illuminate the Rampe by lighting it up with 1000 flames. Wrought-iron installations brought to life mechanically, eclectic music concerts and flaming torches placed from top to bottom of the Rampe revitalised this prestigious place. In addition to the Rampe des Grottes, other vestiges of Saint-Germain-en-Laye's second château remain: the Mur des Lions and the Pavillons Henri IV (where Louis XIV was baptised) and Sully (situated at Pecq). All have been restored, or have today found a new purpose, like the Hôtel-Restaurant Pavillon Henri IV. Listen to the podcast of an interview with Victoria Bernard (tourist advisor at the Office de Tourisme) by France Bleu during a guided tour of Saint-Germain-en-Laye: www.francebleu.fr/emissions/le-tour-de-l-ile-de-france-en-40-jours-09h45/107-1/etape-2-visiste-guidee-de-saint-germain-en-laye

A testimony of the heavy German presence at Saint-Germain during the Occupation, more than a dozen bunkers still exist here, hidden around the town.They are an integral part of the urban landscape even though few of them are visible. Between 1940 and 1944, nearly 20,000 Germain soldiers and officers occupied the town, which was the general staff headquarters of German forces in the occupied zone. Built in large numbers, these bunkers were mainly civil defence structures. The best known is undoubtedly the one on Rue Félicien David. Partially buried underground, it could house several hundred soldiers and provide them with safe shelter in case of bombings. One of its rooms received all telephone lines from the Atlantic front for the Commander in Chief, Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt. The Saint-Germain-en-Laye bunkers are located at: - Parc du Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye - Cité Médicis, rue Thiers - Pavillon Henri IV, below the Hôtel - Quartier Gramont, rue Saint-Louis - 25 bis rue Alexandre Dumas - Villa David, rue Alexandre Dumas - Collège Marcel-Roby, two structures hidden in the park - Rue Félicien-David, the shelter for von Rundstedt's command centre - 4 rue Félicien-David, shooting post extending onto the street - 13 rue des Monts-Grevets, gun-turret placed in a garden - 6 bis boulevard Victor-Hugo, now a garage - 10 ter boulevard Victor-Hugo, shelter covered with vegetation For safety reasons, access to the bunkers is now prohibited.

Many 16th-century kings and their landscape architects strove to make the Domaine National a rare gem featuring some of the most beautiful gardens of Ile-de-France.One of the main features of the Domaine de Saint-Germain is its famous Terrasse, which was designed by Louis XIV's head gardener, André Le Nôtre, and offers a superb view across western Paris. But the Domaine National also incorporates 70 hectares of protected spaces designed during the 16th, 17th and 19th centuries. Henri IV was the main person responsible for enhancing this park by building here, in the 16th century, a succession of six terraces leading down to the Seine, as well as arched galleries and some sumptuous grottoes. Later, during the reign of Louis XIII, the gardens lost their splendour, and it was Louis XIV who commissioned Le Nôtre to create new ones, from 1662 to 1674, giving rise to the famous "parterre de broderie" gardens. As a result, walkers and joggers benefit from the French gardens with suggestive names, such as the Boulingrin, the Grand Parterre and the Jardin de la Dauphine. As for the English garden, this was created in 1845 by the Crown Estate engineer, Loaisel de Tréogate. It was built on a parcel of forestland and features some remarkable trees. Nowadays, the Domaine attracts families, having adapted to become a recreational space with play areas and restaurants which open in the summer season for lunches and snacks.

The Château-Vieux de Saint-Germain has welcomed many kings over the centuries, up to the time of Napoleon III, who turned it into the Musée d'Archéologie nationale that we know today. Come and learn about its history./ A ROYAL RESIDENCE / The imposing Château de Saint-Germain with its elegant Renaissance-style profile is in fact the third of a series that was begun by Louis VI in the 12th century. The first fortress, which became a ruin after the Hundred Years' War, gave way to a second building with a pentagonal shape commissioned by Charles V. It was François I who finally instigated the building of the Renaissance château, which was designed by Pierre Chambiges. François I and the kings that succeeded him stayed here often. Henri II continued the work initiated by his father and began construction of the Château-Neuf, where Louis XIV was born on 5 September 1638. It was Henri IV who finished this building. Overlooking the Seine, it was a real pleasure palace for the king and the court. The king added terraced gardens, which stretched down to the river. The Château-Neuf de Saint-Germain was at that time one of the finest in Europe. Under the reign of Louis XIV, Saint-Germain became the seat of the kingdom's government and the Château-Vieux was the king's main residence from 1666 to 1682, when the court left for Versailles; the layout of the city centre dates from this time. Some important events took place in the château, including the christening of Louis, Grand Dauphin, and the marriage of Mlle de Lois and the Prince de Conti; it was the scene of grand festivities, too: concerts, balls and theatrical performances. The King particularly favoured the worked of Molière and Lully. Towards the end of the 18th century, the Château-Neuf, which was already in a state of disrepair due to a lack of maintenance, was abandoned. Today, only a few remains, including the Rampe des Grottes and the Mur des Lions, recall its former existence. / TODAY'S MUSÉE D'ARCHÉOLOGIE NATIONALE / Napoleon III had the Château-Vieux restored by Eugène Millet, who notably destroyed the corner pavilions that Louis XIV had added. In 1867, the Emperor set up the 'Musée d’antiquités celtiques et gallo-romaines' here. Today, it houses the Musée d'Archéologie nationale. The old rooms of this Renaissance building display some of the finest archeological collections in the world. / THE CHÂTEAU'S COURTYARD AND CHAPEL / It was Louis IX, known as Saint Louis, who, in 1230–38, added a chapel whose style prefigured that of the Sainte-Chapelle de Paris. Many royal christenings and marriages took place here. Later, François I, adding bricks to stone, built the Renaissance château that you can discover today. And it was in the palace chapel that he married Claude of France on 18 May 1514. In the courtyard, a hidden trompe-l'œil presents itself to keen-eyed visitors. See if you can find it! As you enter the Rayonnant Gothic-style chapel, the oldest of the preserved buildings, look up and admire the corners of the rib vaults and their seven ronde-bosse heads, and have some fun seeing if you can spot that of Saint Louis! Free admission except during certain temporary exhibitions.

A special place, assembling a collection of objects associated with the famous French composer in the house where he was born: Claude Debussy's birthplace is located in the historic quarter of Saint-Germain-en-Laye.It was in this 17-century house in the town that Claude Debussy was born, on 22 August 1862, and spent his early childhood. His father ran a china shop on the ground floor. After the composer's death in 1918, it soon became the main gathering place of his many admirers. Once inside, you will discover a wonderful little inner courtyard, where a splendid wooden staircase will lead you up to the museum. The museum, officially recognised as a 'Maison des illustres' ('Houses of the Famous'), displays objects and photographs that help provide a better understanding of the composer's creative process. In fact, Debussy liked to surround himself with objects from different places and artistic movements, which influenced his music. For example, a Japanese lacquered panel, which came from his Parisian mansion, depicting two fish swimming under a willow, musically metamorphosed into 'Poissons d'or', a piano piece (1907). A small museum but a grand tribute to one of France's greatest composers!

Saint-Germain-en-Laye has many private mansions; relive the times of Louis XIV by visiting the one that belonged to the Duchess of Noailles.Built between 1678 and 1682 by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, Louis XIV's chief architect, at the request of the Duke of Noailles, this house was split into two in 1832 when the rue d'Alsace was created. Today, the property's owner opens his marvellous house to visitors during the summer. You will see salons decorated with 18th-century panelling and gardens adorned with sculptures, which are listed in the Inventaire Supplémentaire des Monuments Historiques, as are the roofs and façades. You can book your visit with the tourist office and pay at the house on the day.

The museum was created in 1872 from the very rich collection of works of art bequeathed to the City by Louis-Alexandre Ducastel.It has since continued to grow rich thanks to donations from art lovers and Saint-German artists, including the sculptor Honoré Icard, the painters François Bonvin, Édouard Detaille, Maurice Denis, and especially Paul Vera and his brother. André, urban planner and garden theoretician who, in 1968, donated numerous works and the entire collection of their studio to the City. Since 2002, the museum has benefited from the “Musée de France” label. The Municipal Collections service ensures the preservation, restoration, study and presentation to the public of nearly 9,000 works ranging from Egyptian antiquity to the 20th century – including a vast graphic set (drawings and prints) – and the one of the best preserved apothecaries in France. Since 2021, the museum bears the name of Ducastel-Vera.