L'incontournable N°53

© OTI SGBS
© OTI SGBS
© STUDIO MIR
A royal weekend
in Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Near Paris and easily accessible with the RER A, direction
Saint-Germain-en-Laye. A city of history and culture, its
castle was the birthplace of kings and queens, including
the illustrious Louis XIV. Having been transformed into a
museum of national antiquities, the building is now a national
museum of archaeology and houses the famous Venus
of Brassempouy or "Dame à la capuche" (Lady with the
Hood) the most famous work of prehistoric art.
Its 40-hectare estate, classified as a "Jardin remarquable"
adjoins the former royal forest of Saint-Germain. It was first
converted into French-style gardens by André Le Nôtre,
and includes the famous Grande Terrasse, which spans
over 2 km and offers a unique view of the Seine, La Défense
and Mont Valérien.
The surrounding 3,500-hectare forest offers numerous
opportunities for walking, cycling or horseback riding. It is
home to many stories related to royalty and hunting, including
the historic hunting lodges and the Sentier des Oratoires
(Path of the Oratories).
The city centre of Saint-Germain-en-Laye can boast of
being the largest open-air shopping centre in the Yvelines.
Many lovely shops are located in the city's old streets, including
many patisseries and bakeries. Let yourself be tempted
by local specialties such as Saint-Germain cake or the
Claude Debussy.
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