I used to lived not far from it and came to do market shopping as well as sightseeing on weekends just to see something different, I like to tell you a bit more of royal Saint Germain en Laye, a wonderful town that should be visited more, easy from Paris on the RER A trains, A great historical and architecturally stunning town with an old castle ,beautiful museum ,and nice church. I found me ,again, some pics not in my blog and they should. Therefore, here is my take on my again Saint Germain en Laye !!!, Hope you enjoy the post as I.
I have several posts on it so will keep it short and sassy ! The Château of Saint-Germain-en-Laye is a former residence of the kings of France. The current castle was built under François Ierfrom 1539. Enlarged several times by his successors, it was a royal residence until 1682, when Louis XIV left it definitively for Versailles. On March 8, 1862, an imperial decree acts the creation in the castle of a Museum of Celtic and Gallo-Roman Antiquities ,later renamed Museum of National Antiquities, then recently , and still today the Museum of National Archaeology.
However, the during the French revolution, the castle is seized as national property and sold to the former manager who demolishes it, subdivides the land and sells the materials. Today, only the Henri IV Pavilion (a nice restaurant today see post) , the Garden Pavilion, the Sully Pavilion at nearby Le Pecq, a terrace and its two ramps at the end of rue Thiers which overlooks the avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny and some vestiges in the cellars of the district ,one at 3 rue des Arcades remained. Pic from Pavillon Henri IV to castle back.
There is a nice Saint-Germain Church was called at the beginning of the 18C Saint-Germain-de-Paris. Located in front of the castle, this current Church built in 1824, in a neo-classical style inspired by the Paleo basilicas, was restored from 1848 to 1854. The present Church is however closer to Saint-Philippe-du-Roule in Paris. The present Church is the fourth built on the site.It houses the Mausoleum of the King of England, James II (Stuart), exiled to France and greeted by his cousin king Louis XIV. He resided and died at the Château de Saint-Germain,across the street.
The Castle/Museum of National Antiquities:https://musee-archeologienationale.fr/en/collection/archaeological-collections
The Seine Saint Germain en Laye tourist office on the castle/museum:https://www.seine-saintgermain.fr/en/file/706136/discovering-historical-secrets-the-musee-darcheologie-nationale/
The Seine St Germain en Laye tourist office on the Church : https://www.seine-saintgermain.fr/en/file/4877143/eglise-saint-germain/
There you go folks, do not miss it next time, worth your time there. Wonderful Saint Germain en Laye, many memories especially from the sights just to come to the market for goodies with the family. The royal town is part of the history of the city and my belle France, Again, hope you have enjoy the post as I
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
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