Overview
Saint-Germain-en-Laye is a wealthy suburb 19 km west of Paris that preserves a royal Renaissance château where Louis XIV was born. The city offers the feel of an elegant French town without Paris prices or crowds, centered on a market square and surrounded by manicured parkland with views toward La Défense.
Architecture · Day Trips · History · Museums
Before you go
History
The Treaty of Saint-Germain (1919) was signed here with Austria after WWI, adjusting borders after the empire's dissolution.
Money
Euro (€) currency. ATMs available. Most restaurants and shops accept cards. The town is more upscale than central Paris.
Shopping
Main shopping streets: Rue au Pain, Rue de Paris, Rue de Pologne, Rue des Louviers and Rue Collingon, featuring chic boutiques.
Transport
RER line A terminates at Saint-Germain-en-Laye station, providing 35-minute access to central Paris. Bus 24 connects to Poissy.