Saint-Germain-en-Laye

Saint-Germain-en-Laye was founded in 1020 when King Robert the Pious (ruled 996-1031) founded a convent on the site of the present Church of Saint-Germain. Prior to the French Revolution in 1789, it had been a royal town and the residence of numerous French monarchs.

The old castle was constructed in 1348 by King Charles V on the foundations of an old castle dating from the time of Saint Louis in 1238. Fran�ois I was responsible for its subsequent restoration, and then kings Henri IV and Louis XIII left their mark on the town.

Louis XIV established Saint-Germain-en-Laye as his principal residence from 1661 to 1681. Louis XIV turned over the ch�teau to King James II after his exile from Britain. King James lived in the Chateau for 13 years and his daughter Marie-Louise Stuart was born in exile here in 1692. King James Stuart is buried in the Church of Saint-Germain.

During the French Revolution, the name was changed along with many other places whose names held connotations of religion or royalty. Saint-Germain-en-Laye became Montagne-du-Bon-Air.

In the 19th century, Napoleon I established his cavalry officers training school in the Chateau-Vieux. In 1867, Napoleon III set up the Mus�e des Antiquit�s Nationales. This museum has exhibits ranging from Paleolithic to Celtic times.

During the occupation from 1940 to 1944 , the town was the German Army Headquarters.

External link

Official website: http://www.ville-st-germain-en-laye.fr/