A Walk of Discovery in Parc Saint Cloud, 10km from Paris

   1563    3
A Walk of Discovery in Parc Saint Cloud, 10km from Paris
On a hill overlooking a bend of the Seine to the west of Paris, the vast Parc Saint Cloud, which once surrounded a royal château, is nowadays mainly frequented by locals. This short walk through the eastern part of the park, just 10 km from Notre-Dame de Paris at the end of the line 9 métro, has always offered a real sense of dépaysement on the doorstep of Paris. You are transported from the stately, 17th-century French formality of the Grande Cascade waterfall with its panoramic views of Paris to the romantic hilltop Jardin de Trocadéro designed à l’anglaise in the early 19th century as a secluded retreat for the children of the royal family. In post-COVID times you can also visit two interesting and very different museums at opposite ends of the park, which you will pass en route. The walk continues through the quiet little streets of the old hillside town of Saint Cloud with its church containing the relics of the sixth-century saint who gave the town and the park his name. From there you descend by a series of steps to a range of transport options, including the 72 bus which follows the right bank of the Seine in Paris from the Pont Mirabeau to the Ile St Louis, giving you an armchair view of some of the city’s most iconic sights. 3½ km walk from Pont de Sèvres to Saint Cloud Take métro line 9 to its terminus at Pont de Sèvres and leave by ‘sortie no. 1’ which will bring you out into the bus station. Keep walking straight ahead towards a pedestrian crossing on the right which will take you onto the right-hand side of the Pont de Sèvres. You can see an egg-shaped glass-covered dome to your left on the Ile Séguin, a useful landmark. It is the auditorium of La Seine Musicale, a music and performing arts center which opened in 2017. The 19th-century building ahead on the other side of the river, surmounted by a clock, is the Musée de Sèvres, Cité de la Céramique, on the edge of the Parc Saint Cloud. View of the Musée de Sèvres from the Pont Saint Cloud. @ Annabel Simms Take the steps down from the bridge, marked ‘Musée de Sèvres’. Turn right along the main road and follow the signs for the Musée de Sèvres across the pedestrian crossing. Musée de Sèvres. @ Annabel Simms
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • ALREADY SUBSCRIBED?

Lead photo credit : Statues overlooking the Bassin du Grand Jet, Parc Saint Cloud. @ Annabel Simms

More in garden, garden tours, history, Park in paris, statue

Previous Article Hotel du Sentier: A Hot New Address in the 2nd
Next Article Letter from Paris: April 21, 2021 News Digest


Annabel Simms is an English resident of Paris, with over 20 years' experience of exploring the Paris countryside by train, bus, boat and on foot. She is is the author of "An Hour From Paris" (3rd edition 2019) and "Half An Hour From Paris" (2nd edition 2023). Her website is http://anhourfromparis.com.

Comments

  • William McCauley
    2021-04-28 10:20:11
    William McCauley
    Noteworthy also, in the northwestern corner of the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud is the Mémorial de L'Escadrille La Fayette, which honors the service and sacrifice of the 68 volunteer American pilots who died while serving in the French flying unit during World War I. The Memorial, although a bit stark, is quite beautiful, befitting the selfless service of those it celebrates.

    REPLY

  • Patti Miller
    2021-04-23 08:58:17
    Patti Miller
    A new discovery for me - thank you. I have lived in Paris - and visited many times - but never discovered this park. Can't wait to go back and explore it.

    REPLY

    •  Annabel Simms
      2021-04-26 01:19:20
      Annabel Simms
      I discovered the Parc Saint Cloud by chance after many years of living in Paris. I'm very pleased to share that sense of discovery with someone who knows Paris well.

      REPLY