- History on Saint-Germain-en-Laye
- Saint-Germain-en-Laye nowadays
- What to visit in Saint-Germain-en-Laye?
- High quality professional car service to Saint-Germain-en-Laye
This castle, residence of several monarchs of France, was once the flower of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, before the Sun King decided to move to Versailles. The forest adjacent to the royal residence was also the hunting ground for the occupants of the castle.Professional car service from Orly airport to Saint-Germain-en-Laye
History on Saint-Germain-en-Laye
The town takes its name from a monastery dedicated to St. Germain of Paris, a charitable monk of the Merovingian era and founder of the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the sixth century. The origins of Saint-Germain go back well before the 7th century. But it is from this date that we know that the Franks settled there, more precisely in the valley of the ru of Buzot. This is where the Feuillencourt demain was born. It is in Feuillencourt and Saint-Léger that the first homes settle, forming hamlets. A legend says that a great fire would have ravaged his villages if Saint Erembert, native of Feuillencourt, had saved them by raising his cane.
Post-war
Many centuries later, after invasions of barbarians, edifices of abbeys, King Louis VI Le Gros built Castle Saint-Germain. This is the beginning of the rise of the city. Around the castle, the village begins to develop. The roads are maintained, networks are created with neighboring villages, existing buildings are embellished. But Saint Germain is a victim of looting and devastation during the Hundred Years War. He is still severely affected by a violent storm at the end of the 14th century. In the Renaissance, Saint Germain gradually recovered from these disasters.
Place of inevitable political negotiation in the history of the Hexagon
The castle is restored under François Ier. Saint-Germain becomes a place of inevitable political negotiation in the history of the Hexagon. The various wars that follow the Renaissance will inevitably affect the prosperity of Saint Germain. The town is today one of the most attractive cities of the Ile de France. If you want to take a tour in the city with some friends or family, know that we offer vehicles that can accommodate 8 people.
Saint-Germain-en-Laye nowadays
Urbanism
The Municipality of Saint-Germain has managed to safeguard its heritage, going from buildings, through the networks of roads and railways, as well as historical monuments. Many of these are still standing today and serve as educational institutions, hotels, etc. Saint-Germain is today in the process of great changes. Its municipality wants to enlarge the commune, for political reasons to :
- have a more important management power;
- be better heard;
- have the ability to master budgets.
To do this, she thinks of a merger with other municipalities, such as that of Fourqueux. The two municipalities merge to give the new town of Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
Your destination west of Paris, between Yvelines and Val d’Oise.
The new city of Saint-Germain-en-Laye will then set new goals. It wants to make savings by pooling operating and investment resources. Its purpose is above all to achieve higher margins, without consequences on taxation. Finally, the municipality of Saint-Germain-en-Laye aims to adapt public services and the administrative organization to the living area. It thus favors a proximity that will respect the identity of the territories. Our destination is essentially from the airport to the hotel, our driver can however take you around some places in the city.
What to visit in Saint-Germain-en-Laye?
The Castle of Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Renaissance building, the Castle of Saint-Germain-en-Laye was rebuilt in 1539 by order of Francis I, on the ruins of two old buildings. He entrusted the work to Pierre Chambiges, architect of several other famous monuments in France, including the City Hall of Paris. The First King who elected there was Louis VI le Gros. For the French monarchs who lived there, he was at the same time residence and center of power. Napoleon III installed the museum of Celtic and Gallo-Roman Antiquities, giving the residence a less political character. It will later become a museum of national archeology, where is jealously guarded a sculpture of mammoth ivory 22,000 years old, the Lady of Brassempouy. Today the Castle welcomes different visitors and organizes regular activities and workshops for children, with the aim of introducing them to archeology.
The forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye
It is famous for having been a playground of many French kings who loved to go hunting: Henry IV, Louis XIII, and also Louis XIV. The forest has many buildings and installations. In the middle stands the Convent of the Lodges, and likewise the House of Education of the Legion of Honor. There is also a 25-hectare firing range, established under Napoleon III; the vaults of Achères and Saint-Germain. There are also sports facilities. Indeed, the training stadium of the Paris Saint-Germain football club is located! Today, it hosts the annual Fête des Loges, a carnival where various entertainment is offered to visitor.
The royal carousel of Saint-Germain
Located on the site of an ancient game of palm, the Royal Armory is built in the shape of inverted boat hull. Despite its 203 years, the building has kept its beauty to the point that it is still a busy place today. It is used as a reception hall for event events. It hosts birthdays weddings, conferences, trainings, etc.
The Castle of Hennemont
On the remains of a small monastery of the Middle Ages, the castle of Hennemont was built in the early twentieth century. Built in a mixture of Renaissance and neo-Gothic, it is distinguished by its anomalous and unsymmetrical architecture. It has three towers; a spiral staircase modeled on that of Château de Chambord. Today, the castle of Hennemont is used to house the State High School of Saint-Germain en Laye.
High quality professional car service to Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Saint-Germain-en-Laye is a town not far from the capital of the Hexagon, in its western suburbs. It is just 13 km from the Castle of Versailles and 24 km from France Miniature. The city is located at CDG Airport and at Orly airport.