Nationales Archäologiemuseum (Musée d'Archéologie Nationale)

Home to some 3 million historic artifacts spanning many millennia of history, the National Archaeological Museum offers an extraordinary view into the past. Beginning with Paleolithic objects like sculptures and domestic tools, its collection comprises everything from Bronze Age helmets and Iron Age jewelry to treasures from Roman and Merovingian Gaul. Its galleries stretch across three floors of the grand Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye (a former royal residence and a listed Historic Monument since 1964), and showcase both its permanent collection and temporary exhibitions.

In addition to the museum collection, visitors should also soak up the scenery of the château itself, which is also known as the Domaine Nationale. Its 99 acres (40 hectares) of gardens, which were designed by André Le Nôtre (who was also responsible for the gardens at Versailles), are a particular highlight.