Mise en page 1 - Office de Tourisme de Saint-Germain-en-Laye

52293 Depliant GB_depliant St Germain GB 04/05/2010 14:07 Page3Tourist Sights and MuseumsPlan on one entire day to visit all of thesightsA. The Chateau-Vieux (the Old Castle)The chateau was built at the request of François I(Francis) by Pierre Chambiges, who used the pentagon-shapedfoundations of a fortified castle whichwas built in the XIV century by Charles V. Chambigesincorporated the chapel commissioned by Saint Louisin 1238. François I and the successive kings stayedthere frequently. Louis XIV was born on September 5 th ,1638, in the Château Neuf (New Castle) of which littleremains, and set up his main residence in the existingchateau from 1666 to 1681.From that day on, Saint-Germain-en-Laye becamethe seat of the royal government. The overall layoutof the town centre dates from that period. Napoléon IIIhad the Chateau Vieux restored by Eugène Millet, whodemolished the pavilions which had been added byLouis XIV. In 1867, the Emperor created the Museum ofCeltic and Gallo-Roman Antiquities, which is housedwithin the castle walls.B. The National Museum of ArchaeologyThe collection of the National Museum of Archaeologytraces the life of man in France from the beginning oftime right up to the Middle Ages. Today, the museumhouses the world’s largest collection of prehistoric artand one of the richest archaeological collections inEurope. Nearly 30,000 artefacts are on display, one ofthe most noteworthy items is the famous “Dame deBrassempouy” (“Lady of Brassempouy” which is a tinysculpted head).C. The ChurchThe present building was consecrated in 1827. Justlike the two previous ones, it was built on the site ofthe small priory. Its patron saints are St Vincent andSt Germain, to whom our city owes its name since thebeginning of the XI th century. The top of the churchsteps offers a panoramic view which stretches fromthe Chateau’s flowerbeds to the “Jardin des Arts”,where the very modern Alexander Dumas Theatre islocated.D. The Claude Debussy MuseumThis is the first museum inFrance dedicated to one of thegreatest composers, (1862-1918)whose innovative work markeda major step in the history ofmusic. On display at the composer’sbirthplace, you will findsome of his personal belongingsand historical documentspertaining to his life, his workand his artistic affinities.Between September and June, look for regular musicalprograms here.E. The Maurice Denis County Museum –the PrioryThe museum founded in the formerhome of Nabis school Painter MauriceDenis (1870-1943) holds his works, aswell as a collection of symbolist andpost-impressionist artwork from thePont-Aven School (Brittany). You willdiscover the paintings of Paul Gauguin,Emile Bernard, Paul Sérusier, PierreBonnard, Edouard Vuillard, Paul ElieRanson and more.F. The ArcadesBuilt in the beginning of the 19 th century, these houses(1820 for the arcades) form a harmonious whole. Thecovered wheat and flour market was once located onthe opposite side of the square. Built in 1770, it wasreplaced by the post office in 1911. The present day“New Market” held on this location since 1776, replacedthe old cemetery, which was relocated further west.The market square has remained the heart and life ofthe city ever since,especially on marketdays: Tuesday, Fridayand Sunday mornings.During our walk “Historical Dwellings of Saint-Germain-en-Laye”, you will discover the Hôtels de Villeroy, de Guise, de Créquy, deSoissons (SaintThomas de Villeneuve Institute) and the present-day Town Hall, set up in the Hôtel de la Rochefoucauld after a great deal ofrestructuring. The other buildings called “hôtels” are either mansions or more modest dwellings occupied during the 17 th century byaristocrats or “residential properties,” built in the 18 th century replacing “hôtels” which in the meantime had disappeared, as for examplethe “Soubise” or the“de Conti” hôtels located on the Place du Château.