Audio GuideSaint-Cloud National Estate

Domaine national de Saint-Cloud

Vast parkland classified as a Historic Monument, including Marie Antoinette's rose garden.

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Domaine national de Saint-Cloud is an expansive park brimming with history, situated southwest of Paris. Once the site of the historic Château de Saint-Cloud—a royal residence destroyed during the Franco-Prussian War—the park has become a cherished national asset. This estate was the setting for significant historical events, such as the meeting of the Council of Five Hundred following Napoleon's Coup of the Eighteenth Brumaire.

Visitors can wander through various garden styles. Le Nôtre's French formal gardens, known for their striking symmetry and elegant designs, blend with the more relaxed charm of English landscape gardens. Additionally, there is an enchanting rose garden, which was a favourite of Marie Antoinette, lending a romantic, regal touch to the locale.

The park has been a source of inspiration for many artists throughout the years. The acclaimed painter Wassily Kandinsky captured its scenery in a renowned series of artworks, reflecting its lasting beauty and creative allure. As you explore the grounds, make sure to visit landmarks such as the panoramic viewpoint known as La Lanterne, which provides expansive vistas of Paris, and the Musée historique du château de Saint-Cloud, which tells the tale of the former castle.

Additional notable sites include the École Normale Supérieure located in the Pavillon Valois and the headquarters of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures housed in the Pavillon de Breteuil.

Domaine national de Saint-Cloud remains an essential destination where history, art, and nature converge for an unforgettable experience.

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