Did you know that this magnificent forest, the Forêt domaniale de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, has been a royal hunting ground for centuries? Stand here, where the ancient trees whisper tales of kings and queens, and picture yourself in the heart of the French monarchy. This sprawling woodland, stretching for 3,500 hectares, once echoed with the sounds of hunting horns and the thundering hooves of royal horses as monarchs pursued their quarry.
The Forêt domaniale de Saint-Germain-en-Laye has been a part of France’s regal history since the ninth century. During this time, the forest was called Lida silva, as evidenced by the Polyptyque d’Irminon. It later gained the name of ‘Laye,’ possibly due to a clearing in the forest or perhaps the name of a nearby road. This vast woodland was a prime hunting ground for the Kings of France, who resided in the nearby Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
Many kings and queens used the woods for their hunting excursions. Henri IV and Louis XIII were known to chase foxes in the thick woods. However, Louis XIV transformed the landscape. He entrusted the design to the famed Andre Le Notre, who created the Grande Terrasse, a grand terrace overlooking the Seine River.
This terrace was built in 1663 and offers unparalleled views of the rolling countryside below. In 1669, Louis XIV commissioned the construction of the Camp Militaire Saint-Sébastien, a military base located in the north of the forest. The building of this base was a result of Louis XIV’s increasing use of the forest as a hunting ground and his desire for a secure location for soldiers to train. In a smart alec twist for you, the forest at Saint-Germain-en-Laye also played a part in the development of the famous Braque Saint-Germain, a breed of large French hunting dog that became popular with French royalty.
Even after the kings abandoned Saint-Germain for Versailles in 1682, the hunting tradition continued in the forest, especially under Charles X. Napolèon III oversaw further changes to the forest, exchanging land to create a connection between the Forêt domaniale de Saint-Germain-en-Laye and the Forest of Marly. This provided a pathway for wild game to move freely between the two forests, which may have been influenced by the forest’s connection to the nearby hunting lodge.
So, as you walk through the Forêt domaniale de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, let your imagination wander back in time, and see the kings and queens of France riding through its paths, the echoes of their laughter still reverberating in the rustling leaves. It may be a reminder how the world around us is constantly transforming, but the history we see in the trees, is still alive.