Saint-Germain-en-Laye, the most international city in Yvelines

If you’re in search of a high quality of life, then say goodbye to the stress of big cities and hello to the fresh air and beautiful greenery of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Even more, if giving your children a world-class education is a top priority, then this charming and pleasant city in Yvelines is the obvious choice, says Bénédicte Petitcol, director of BARNES Yvelines Nord.

Saint-Germain-en-Laye, a city like no other

First and foremost, this royal city benefits from an ideal location on the edge of Paris, just 20 km from the capital. Saint-Germain-en-Laye has the charm and tranquility of the “province” regions, which can be reached in 25 minutes from Place de l’Étoile via RER. However, if you plan on commuting to La Défense, the business district, you’ll only need to sit still for approximately 18 minutes. This proximity, and the fact that the station is located in the city center, is a major advantage of living in Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

During our conversation with Bénédicte, she emphasized the incredibly pleasant living environment that residents of Saint-Germain-en-Laye enjoy on a daily basis. It’s a city of nature, famous for its chateaus and lush forests, its museums and highly-rated schools, including the prestigious Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye with 14 international sections (German, British, American, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, Danish Norwegian, Swedish, Russian, and Chinese). Rest assured, Saint-Germain-en-Laye is proud of its students!

Living in Saint-Germain-en-Laye

The population of residents in Saint-Germain-en-Laye is known to be very international, but that’s not all. It’s true, foreigners often settle down in Saint-Germain-en-Laye in order to allow their children to continue their studies in their native language while benefiting from an international education. But Bénédicte Petitcol revealed to us that the majority of the city’s residents are French, whether they’re returning from years of expatriation or deciding to take advantage of the great quality of life in a peaceful area on the outskirts of a big city, Paris.

The atmosphere in Saint-Germain-en-Laye is driven by a wave of youth. In fact, 50% of the population is under 20 years-old. The other 50% is mostly comprised of young families looking for a healthy and friendly setting to raise children. Saint-Germain-en-Laye has more than 100 sports and cultural associations. The “Parc du Château” and the surrounding forest serve as a playground for both young and old, athletes or not.

House or apartment?

When it comes to choosing a home, the “Saint-Germanois” are spoiled for choice between charming houses with gardens in residential neighborhoods and beautiful apartments in the city. You’ll also find small period buildings and hôtels particuliers that have been divided into cozy apartments on the market.

The center of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, known as the Plateau, is highly sought after by families due to its proximity to shops, a beautiful chateau, and the RER. It’s also a popular place to meet family and friends on market days - Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday. When the weather is nice, enjoy shopping, airy terraces, and long strolls after a delicious brunch.

Bénédicte tells us that there are also other popular neighborhoods: the Alsace-Lorraine district, which offers a mix of lovely houses and family apartments; the Château district, mostly comprised of apartments; the Pereire district, situated halfway between the city center and the international high school; and lastly, the district surrounding the international high school. Buyers who are privy to the BARNES real estate portfolio benefit from a wide array of exceptional residences for sale or rent in these districts of Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

We asked Bénédicte to describe Saint-Germain-en-Laye in one word, she replied immediately, without a shred of hesitation: “quality,” then added, “of life,” and before we could interrupt, “for a beautiful life!”

Contact Benedict Petitcol for your real estate project in Saint-Germain-en-Laye.