On a clear and sunny day I was fortunate to climb to the roof of the Saint-Germain-en-Laye castle. Open to the public on rare occasions only, the terrace roof provides another perspective on the castle itself and its gardens. It offers a stunning view over the town and the western suburbs of Paris. Here are a few photos if you can’t make it to the roof!
The roof of the Saint-Germain-en-Laye castle
The flat roof of the Saint-Germain-en-Laye castle is an amazing place if you take time to observe every little details.
It is decorated with balustrades, sculpted vases and ornate chimneys.
And of course, it offers a spectacular view down to the inner courtyard, the gardens, the forest, the town of Saint-Germain-en-Laye and the valley of the Seine River as far as La Défense.
Views of the castle and its inner courtyard
![Roof of Saint-Germain-en-Laye Castle © French Moments](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Roof-of-Saint-Germain-en-Laye-Castle-©-French-Moments.jpg)
![Roof of Saint-Germain-en-Laye castle © French Moments](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Roof-of-Saint-Germain-en-Laye-Castle-47-copyright-French-Moments.jpg)
![Saint-Germain-en-Laye Inner Courtyard © French Moments](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Saint-Germain-en-Laye-Inner-Courtyard-©-French-Moments.jpg)
![Roof of Saint-Germain-en-Laye castle © French Moments](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Roof-of-Saint-Germain-en-Laye-Castle-44-copyright-French-Moments.jpg)
![Roof of Saint-Germain-en-Laye Castle 2 © French Moments](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Roof-of-Saint-Germain-en-Laye-Castle-2-©-French-Moments.jpg)
The campanile that stands on the castle’s keep
Other decorative features
The elegant sculpted vases:
![Roof of Saint-Germain-en-Laye castle © French Moments](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Roof-of-Saint-Germain-en-Laye-Castle-40-copyright-French-Moments.jpg)
![Roof of Saint-Germain-en-Laye castle © French Moments](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Roof-of-Saint-Germain-en-Laye-Castle-39-copyright-French-Moments.jpg)
![Castle of Saint-Germain-en-Laye 03 © French Moments](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Castle-of-Saint-Germain-en-Laye-03-©-French-Moments.jpg)
![Castle of Saint-Germain-en-Laye 02 © French Moments](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Castle-of-Saint-Germain-en-Laye-02-©-French-Moments.jpg)
“F” for François I, King of France:
![Roof of Saint-Germain-en-Laye Castle 33 copyright French Moments](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Roof-of-Saint-Germain-en-Laye-Castle-33-copyright-French-Moments.jpg)
I particularly like this view of the roof’s inner edge featuring vases and gargoyles:
![Roof of Saint-Germain-en-Laye castle © French Moments](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Roof-of-Saint-Germain-en-Laye-Castle-42-copyright-French-Moments.jpg)
View of the old town of Saint-Germain-en-Laye
![The town seen from the roof of the Saint-Germain-en-Laye castle © French Moments](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Town-of-Saint-Germain-en-Laye-09-©-French-Moments.jpg)
The church of Saint-Germain-en-Laye:
![Roof of Saint-Germain-en-Laye Castle 36 copyright French Moments](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Roof-of-Saint-Germain-en-Laye-Castle-36-copyright-French-Moments.jpg)
And looking closer, the church’s neo-classical pediment:
![Roof of Saint-Germain-en-Laye Castle 34 copyright French Moments](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Roof-of-Saint-Germain-en-Laye-Castle-34-copyright-French-Moments.jpg)
View of the castle’s gardens
The great perspective from the Grand Parterre continued by the Avenue des Loges in the forest of Saint-Germain:
![Roof of Saint-Germain-en-Laye Castle 37 copyright French Moments](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Roof-of-Saint-Germain-en-Laye-Castle-37-copyright-French-Moments.jpg)
![Roof of Saint-Germain-en-Laye Castle 29 copyright French Moments](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Roof-of-Saint-Germain-en-Laye-Castle-29-copyright-French-Moments.jpg)
![Park of Saint-Germain-en-Laye 07 © French Moments](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Park-of-Saint-Germain-en-Laye-07-©-French-Moments.jpg)
Useful Links about Saint-Germain-en-Laye
![The Castle of Saint-Germain-en-Laye © French Moments](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Castle-of-Saint-Germain-en-Laye.jpg)
- Saint-Germain-en-Laye Tourist Office
- National Museum of Archeology
- Tourisme en Yvelines
- Where to stay in Saint-Germain-en-L.
Please note that the visit of roof is usually not accessible to the public who visit the museum! This visit was organised by the Tourist Office of Saint-Germain-en-Laye at the occasion of an Instameet organised in the town!
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