Saint-Germain-en-Laye is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France in north-central France. It is located in the western suburbs of Paris, 19.1 km (11.9 mi) from the centre of Paris.
| Country | France |
|---|---|
| Region | Île-de-France |
| Department | Yvelines |
| Canton | Saint-Germain-en-Laye |
| Government | |
| Mayor (2020–2026) | Arnaud Pericard |
| Area1 | 51.94 km2 (20.05 sq mi) |
| Population (2017-01-01) | 44,753 |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
Inhabitants are called Saint-Germanois or Saint-Germinois. With its elegant tree-lined streets it is one of the more affluent suburbs of Paris, combining both high-end leisure spots and exclusive residential neighborhoods.
History
Saint-Germain-en-Laye was founded in 1020 when King Robert the Pious founded a convent on the site of the present Church of Saint-Germain.
This museum has exhibits ranging from Paleolithic to Celtic times. The “Dame de Brassempouy” sculpted on a mammoth’s ivory tusk around 23,000 years ago is the most famous exhibit in the museum.
Saint-Germain-en-Laye is famous for its 2.4-kilometre (1.5 mi) long stone terrace built by André Le Nôtre from 1669 to 1673. The terrace provides a view over the valley of the Seine and, in the distance, Paris. During the French Revolution, the name was changed along with many other places whose names held connotations of religion or royalty. Temporarily, Saint-Germain-en-Laye became Montagne-du-Bon-Air.
The Treaty of Saint-Germain was signed in 1919 and was applied on 16 July 1920. The treaty officially registered the breakup of the Habsburg empire, which recognized the independence of Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, and the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (Yugoslavia).
During the occupation from 1940 to 1944, the town was the headquarters of the German Army.
Economy
Capcom Entertainment France, a Capcom subsidiary, has its head office in Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
Transport
Saint-Germain-en-Laye is served by Saint-Germain-en-Laye station on Paris RER line A.
It is also served by two stations on the Transilien Paris – Saint-Lazare suburban rail line: Saint-Germain – Bel-Air – Fourqueux and Saint-Germain – Grande Ceinture.
Saint-Germain-en-Laye is also served by Achères – Grand Cormier station on Paris RER line A and on the Transilien Paris – Saint-Lazare suburban rail line. This station is located in the middle of the Forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, far from the urbanized part of the commune.
Hospital
Centre hospitalier intercommunal de Poissy-Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
Education
There is a high ratio of overall students to town inhabitants. The municipal nursery and primary schools have 3,549 students. 1,026 students attend private schools in the commune. 522 students attend the Lycée International de Saint Germain-en-Laye nursery and primary divisions.
Schools
The Lycée International de Saint Germain-en-Laye, a public school, consistently ranks among France’s top schools and is considered to be the country’s best public international school. It includes 14 different language sections, including one for Japanese students, and the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) lists that program in its group of European hoshuko (part-time Japanese educational programmes).
Other public high schools:
- Lycée Jeanne-d’Albret
- Lycée technologique Léonard-de-Vinci
- Lycée technologique Jean-Baptiste-Poquelin
- Lycée agricole et horticole de Saint-Germain-Chambourcy
Private schools include:
- Collège et Lycée Notre-Dame
- École Saint-Érembert
The Institut d’études politiques de Saint-Germain-en-Laye is also located in the city.
Libraries
There are two libraries:
- Bibliothèque multimédia
- Bibliothèque George-Sand
Sport
Football
Saint-Germain-en-Laye has a proud footballing history. From 1904 to 1970, it was represented by Stade Saint-Germain, but following a 1970 merger with Paris FC, became Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). PSG are a top-flight football team who are the most successful team in France in terms of trophies.
Sporting facilities
There is one main sporting facility in Saint-Germain-en-Laye: the Stade Municipal Georges Lefèvre.
