Heritage Days 2024 at the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye - Musée d'Archéologie Nationale (78)

The Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye is taking part in the Journées du Patrimoine 2024. On the program for Saturday September 21 and Sunday September 22, guided tours of the Château and the Musée d'Archéologie Nationale, plus many other surprises, for a unique plunge into the heart of history.

A historic monument par excellence, the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye has a fascinating history, which we invite you to discover during the Journées du Patrimoine, the 39th edition of which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, September 21 and 22 , 2024.

Built in the 12th century by King Louis VI le Gros, the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye was originally a hilltop fortress. Later, King François I transformed Saint-Germain into a Renaissance-style fortress, making it the principal residence of the kings of France. It was at Saint-Germain that kings Henri II, Henri IV and Louis XIV were born. Although the layout designed by François I remained, Louis XIV asked André Le Nôtre to redesign the gardens.

The Museum of National Archaeology - Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye
The Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, high up in the Yvelines, was one of the royal residences of François I. Today, it houses the national archaeology museum. Today, it houses the Musée d'Archéologie Nationale, with over 29,000 objects on display! [Read more]

This is what the King's gardener did in 1663, with large flowerbeds in front of the château, views towards infinity, and above all a panoramic view of the Seine valley: the 2.4-kilometre-long Grande Terrasse!

After Louis XIV deserted the"Château Neuf" for Versailles in 1682, Napoleon I turned it into a cavalry school, before Napoleon III decreed in 1862 that the Château de Saint-Germain would house a "Museum of Celtic and Gallo-Roman Antiquities": since then, it has changed its name to Musée d'Archéologie nationale and continues to acquire numerous objects - three million of which 29,000 are on display - from the Paleolithic to the early Middle Ages.

Discover this remarkable monument and its collections during the Heritage Days, with a range of activities suitable for the whole family.

regular garden, Le Nôtre's large terrace, the Château du Val, the Salamandre circuit, the mare aux canes - See more at: http://www.musee-archeologienationale.fr/evenement/les-journees-europeennes-du-patrimoine#sthash.DsVNh9xx.dpuf

On the program for the Journées du Patrimoine 2024 at the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye in the Yvelines:

Aucun événement annoncé à ce jour, le programme est mis à jour en fonction des annonces officielles.

You won't be disappointed! But don't forget to reserve your place in advance to take part in the activities. If the weather's fine, we'd even recommend a picnic in the gardens- a moment of timeless relaxation guaranteed!