Another distinction treasured by its population, Saint-Cloud is closely tied in with the history of France: its legendary château, built in the 16th century, is reputed for being the site of Henry III’s assassination in the 17th century and where he named his successor, Henry IV with his last breath; it also hosted the Sun King on numerous occasions in the 17th century when he wanted to escape from Versailles, and was bought by Louis XVI in 1784 as a gift for Marie-Antoinett e who had large-scale works undertaken to transform it into an opulent private residence before these were halted by the French Revolution; it was within these walls also that, on 10 November 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte carried out the coup of 18 Brumaire and where his civil marriage to Marie-Louise of Austria took place; under the Restoration King Charles X stayed here frequently and Napoleon III invited Queen Victoria as a guest under the Second Empire... A prestigious destiny that came to an abrupt end in October 1870 when the château was burnt down during the Franco-Prussian War. Its ruins were razed 20 years later, leaving us with only photos and a memory that still permeates the daily lives of Saint-Cloud’s residents. In large part because they can enjoy the 460 hectares (1,135 acres) of the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud. This extraordinary national estate offers sporting and educational activities, endless tree-lined pathways, panoramic terraces affording breath-taking views of Paris, and charming guinguettes (open-air cafés) to grab a drink or a bite to eat in the bucolic ambiance of this listed monument.
Bourgeois apartments and houses with gardens
Saint-Cloud has fantastic public transport connections: train, tramway and numerous bus lines connect it to Paris and the neighbouring towns (Boulogne-Billancourt, Suresnes, Garches) as well as the business district of La Défense. Which makes it an enticing option for families with an ample budget. In the upscale segment, many prospective buyers or renters work at Dassault Aviation, the town’s biggest employer. So which neighbourhood of Saint-Cloud should you focus your search on? Some buyers swear by the centre/village for its hustle and bustle, its shops and its restaurants, as well as the choice between bourgeois apartments and houses with gardens. Families gravitate towards Pasteur-Magenta, which was still farmland in the late 19th century, for its wooded residences, or to Val d’Or, bordering Garches, Rueil-Malmaison and Suresnes, for its country feel. The Coteaux/Bords de Seine district, once covered in vines, is now home to houses and apartment buildings of different sizes, including some rare jewels with large gardens. The Hippodrome/Fouilleuse district, meanwhile, attracts sports fans for its racecourse, golfcourse and very exclusive private club, the Paris Country Club, complete with a stunning outdoor pool. But the holy grail of real estate is probably the Montretout/Coutureau district with its private mansions lining the Domaine de Saint-Cloud. So what about prices? Apartments are listed between €5,000 and €9,000 per sq.m and houses between €7,000 and €12,000 per sq.m, although some exceptional properties sold off market can go for much more.
Saint-Cloud is the perfect blend of nature and proximity to Paris, ideal for buying a luxury villa near the capital. Looking for more options? Explore heritage estates in Versailles, exclusive apartments in Neuilly-sur-Seine, or modern homes in Boulogne-Billancourt. Families love Rueil-Malmaison and Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Consider also Levallois-Perret apartments for smart investments.
