Saint Germain en Laye Castle – National Archaeological Museum

(Last Update: 26.01.2025) This time, we will go a little outside of Paris and visit a wonderful museum together. We will see both a magnificent castle and archaeology We will introduce you to a very special place that offers rich content for enthusiasts: The subject of this article is Castle of Saint Germain en Laye National Archaeological Museum – Musée d'Archéologie National.

National Archaeological Museum, central Paris RER Located half an hour away from Saint-Germain-en-Laye'also (you german an le) called by the same name Castle of Saint Germain en LayeIt is located in . This is the 6th Avenue of Paris. boroughlocated in Saint GermainDo not confuse with . Saint Germain en Laye is a stylish Parisian suburb with a completely different atmosphere despite being very close to Paris.

RER-AWhen you get on the train to Saint Germain-en-Laye and get off at the last station, when you exit the station, you enter the Saint Germain en Laye Castle, which welcomes you with all its splendor on the left, through a beautiful bridge, because the surroundings of the castle are covered with a moat.

The construction of the Castle of Saint Germain en Laye was commissioned by Henry VI in 1124. started in the reign of LouisAlthough it has gone through various fires and destructions over a long historical period, it has taken its current form with various additions and restoration works. from the emperors of France II. Henri, IX. Charles and everyone knows XIV. The castle where Louis was born This is an important place in French history.

In 1862, III. The castle was used as an archaeological museum by Napoleon's order.Since then, it has been a very special place where the most important archaeological examples of French historical and cultural heritage are exhibited. Castle of Saint Germain en Laye – at the National Archaeological Museum Around 30.000 archaeological artifacts on display It hosts one of the richest collections in Europe.

A wide range of works extends from the stone age, polished stone age, iron and bronze ages to the early medieval works. I think you will be as impressed as I am when you visit this magnificent museum where the finds are exhibited. Especially Noah Haririof “From Animals to Gods – SapiensI guess that visiting the museum will be more meaningful if you have read the book.

Thousands of years of warfare, musical and agricultural instruments, ornaments, tombs, skeletons and skulls It is such an interesting feeling to wander among them and realize what a small period of time we are living in in human history. On the one hand, our respect for the science of archeology is increasing exponentially, and on the other hand, we are questioning our existence on earth.

As I always say, Visiting a museum in Paris is not only about interacting with the objects exhibited there, It also causes you to experience an emotional exchange with the museum building you visit. Because as you wander through the halls of the Saint Germain en Laye Castle, going up and down the stone stairs, you look at the floor, the ceiling, the walls, and the artifacts on display, trying to understand where you are and in what dimension of life you are. Especially when you look out the window you see the huge Saint Germain's Laye ParkThe view of…

For some reason, archeology has always been associated with classical Greek archeology in my mind for a long time. I think this is due to my dear friend, who went to university and studied classical archeology while I was in high school, and who was involved with classical Greek archeology throughout his life. Fuat's impact is great. Of course, he knew the truth, but it took me a while to grasp it :) For a long time, it seemed to me that Egypt and previous civilizations, and even works about primitive life before civilizations, were another topic. I can say that I got rid of this mistake by visiting many archaeological museums.

Human existence on earth spans such a long period of time. Of course, if we talk about the history of the earth, this time we will talk about a short chronological time period for human history. Human beings are strange beings. He thinks his own life is the existence of the whole world...

With these thoughts in mind, as I wandered through the halls of the Saint Germain en Laye Castle, wondering whether I should admire what I saw or the building itself, I realized that I was not just visiting a museum, but that these findings, which seemed to belong to others, actually carried traces of my (you, me, all) past. Then I realized once again that the things we call troubles today are not actually troubles, and that we should spend our short life in this world in the best possible way.

The finds that impressed me the most at Saint Germain en Laye Castle – National Archaeological Museum were thousands of years old skeletons, skulls and musical instruments. I must also say that I am impressed by glass objects and floor ceramics. It was equally enjoyable to go out to the central courtyard of the castle at the end of the tour. Watching the young people practicing dance in the chapel, thinking about what this castle has witnessed…

Especially in this chapel in the future Kudsi Ergüner At the cocktail held in her honor, the author of "From Palace to Exile", one of the books that influenced me the most in my life, the Ottoman princess Kénizé MouradHaving the opportunity to chat with was an unforgettable memory for me. That's why Saint Germain en Laye Castle has a special place in my heart 😉

The castle consists of five wings: one wing is called the king's wing, one wing is called the queen's wing, one wing is called the king's children's wing, one wing is called the ball wing, and the other wing is called the chapel wing. located around Saint Germain's Laye Park The castle is so big that it looks small from a distance. However, it is not like that at all.

We visit the Castle of Saint Germain en Laye Free days on the first Sunday of every month We took the opportunity to tour for free, but if I had known, I would have come earlier; It was really worth it. The museum can be visited every day of the week between 10:00 and 17:00, except Mondays.

It should be noted that the museum is closed on 25 December, 1 January and 1 May. Additionally, due to frequent restoration works, the halls you will visit may not be the same as the ones I see. Some halls are closed to visitors, while new halls are opened to visitors. This means that visiting this place once will never be enough. For information on current prices and other topics, you can check the link at the end of the article.

Saint Germain en Laye Castle – One of the two nice things to do after visiting the National Archaeological Museum is to walk around Saint Germain en Laye, the other is Saint Germain's Laye ParkEntering the park and walking for hours in the Saint Germain en Laye Forest... Especially if you go there on a Sunday, I recommend you to see the Saint Germain en Laye market, which is open until noon.

And get up from here Palace of Versailles It is very enjoyable to travel by bus number 1 to the side. If you have time, you should do this as well, or there is a nearby bus number 10 where you can go. House of Alexandre Dumas, Castle of Monte Cristo – Château de Monte Cristo It is available, it might be nice to see it too. Another castle suggestion in the area: Malmaison Castle – Château de Malmaison Maybe, there is a very nice park right next to it. Bois Préau Park should not be skipped either.

Also The Turkish  Grand Lac des Ibiswith its magnificent hiking trails and dreamy houses, including Le Vésinet – Le Pecq But there is no escape there either. Especially A Week in Paris If you are going to visit, this place can be put on the list, 15 Days in Paris If you are going to visit, I would say you should definitely see it.

Also, on another day (in the period from the beginning of April to the beginning of November), you will see the most important historical buildings, monuments and even city models of France, including the Castle of Saint Germain en Laye. France ThumbnailI recommend you also spend time on .

If you are interested in castles and palaces, you can also take a look at the other castles and palaces that I have listed below and written about each one one by one.

Pleasant trips, pleasant discoveries.

Web address: musee-archeologienationale.fr

Address: Place Charles de Gaulle, 78100 Saint-Germain-en-Laye

Other Castles Around Paris:

• Louvre Museum – Musée du Louvre
• Palace of Versailles – Château de Versailles
• Vincennes Castle – Château de Vincennes
• Fontainebleau Castle – Château de Fontainebleau
• Chantilly Castle – Château de Chantilly
• Pierrefonds Castle – Château de Pierrefonds
• Compiègne Castle – Château de Compiègne
• Vaux le Vicomte Castle – Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte
• La Roche Guyon Castle – Château de la Roche-Guyon
• Castle of Monte Cristo – Château de Monte-Cristo
• Malmaison Castle – Château de Malmaison
• Maisons Laffitte Castle – Château de Maisons-Laffitte