Walk in the park of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, the Grande Terrasse

A visit to the park and the National Archaeology Museum in Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

Why not take a walk in Saint-Germain-en-Laye? Saint-Germain-en-Laye is served by the RER A (at the very end of the line) and is therefore very easy to get to. The walk starts as soon as you get off the RER. Then you can visit the castle and the park, the castle contains the museum of Archéologie nationale, it is a very classical museum with many objects exposed in the windows. The entrance is paying but you can enter the courtyard of the castle and visit the chapel for free.

Then you can walk in the park and especially see the Great Terrace which offers a magnificent view of Paris and its surroundings. The castle and the park are next to the forest of Saint-Germain, so you have many possibilities to walk around. Here we are satisfied with a rather short walk.

To sum up, it is a very good idea for a Sunday afternoon walk.

Interest: ratinggood (1 user)
Difficulty: difficulty
Duration: 2 h.
Departure point (Google Maps)

The Château of Saint-Germain-en-Laye

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The Château of Saint-Germain-en-Laye
The château is located directly off the RER A station. The facades have just been restored, and it's really very beautiful.

The courtyard of the château

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The courtyard of the château
You can get in free to see the inside of the courtyard, which is well worth a look, and you can also visit the small chapel.

The museum

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The museum
Inside the castle is the National Archaeology Museum. This is a classical-style museum, where a wide variety of objects are displayed in showcases. The collection covers a period from the Palaeolithic to the Middle Ages.

The Grande Terrasse at Saint-Germain-en-Laye

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The Grande Terrasse at Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Magnificent vantage point overlooking the whole region. In the distance you can see the towers of La Défense. The grounds of the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye offer superb views over the Seine Valley and the surrounding area, making it a favourite place to take a stroll for photography enthusiasts.

The path along the Terrace

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The path along the Terrace
The Grande Terrasse is huge! The path stretches as far as the eye can see. Getting to the very end requires a good half-hour's walk.

French gardens

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French gardens
The garden was designed by Le Nôtre. Strolling through the park, visitors can admire the magnificent flowerbeds, shady groves and walkways lined with century-old trees. Statues, fountains and ponds also adorn the park, adding to its charm and picturesque character.

Fountain in the park

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Fountain in the park
The park of the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye is a veritable jewel of greenery located near Paris. This historic park covers several hectares and offers a variety of landscapes, gardens and open spaces to explore.

The forest

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The forest
You leave the park to enter the Saint-Germain forest. There are plenty of opportunities for walking, it's an easily accessible forest with great paths and lots of signposts.

The forest

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The forest
In this area, you'll discover a fitness trail as well as areas set up for picnics. This is also a popular spot for the residents of Saint-Germain to go jogging every day.

The church of Saint-Germain-en-Laye

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The church of Saint-Germain-en-Laye
The church of Saint-Germain-en-Laye opposite the château features classical architecture reminiscent of Roman temples. Its symmetrical façade and Corinthian columns give it a majestic and imposing appearance, reminiscent of the great buildings of Antiquity.

View of the Paris region

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View of the Paris region
You can see the whole area by walking along the Terrace.

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