A brief foray into the Parc de Saint-Cloud

Starting point and access: Parc de Saint-Cloud station.
- Tram - Line T2. Take exit 3 Rue Audé, at the front of the tram on the platform in the direction of Pont de Bezons to Porte de Versailles (if coming from the opposite direction, cross the tracks carefully at the designated crossing).
- Bus - Lines 52, 72, 126, 160, 175, 426, 467. Take the footbridge over the tram tracks, near the small RATP building.

(S/E) Follow Rue Audée, on the right at the top of the stairs leading from the tram station, opposite the end of the footbridge when coming from the bus stops. Go up the stairs, cross Rue Dailly at the pedestrian crossing on the right and continue straight ahead and uphill into Rue du Docteur Desfossez. Take the first left, Rue de la Faïencerie. Pass under a porch, come out onto Rue Royale and follow it to the right.

At the crossroads immediately ahead, turn left onto Rue d'Orléans. Take the second right, Rue Anatole Hébert, uphill. At the top, turn left onto Allée des Lilas (red and white^GR®®1sign).

(1) Go through a gate and enter the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud. Continue straight ahead along a shaded path. At a fork, turn left (ignore the red and white arrow pointing to the right). Turn left and go down a flight of steps. Shortly afterwards, turn right and go down another flight of steps. Go around a pond on the right and pass by a large fountain. Opposite the fountain, climb the steps on the left.

At the top, turn left and follow a path lined with rose bushes. At the end, climb the steps on the right. At the top, turn left. After about 20 metres, climb the steps on the right to reach a viewpoint (superb panorama of the Seine below and Paris).

(2) With your back to the panorama, follow a wide path straight ahead (due west). At the end, go through a metal gate. Immediately afterwards, go down a slope on the left (the path is a little steep but clearly marked). At the bottom, follow the road to the left and, before a large gate, carefully cross the road (there may be traffic) and go through a small gate. Continue straight ahead with the Vingt-Quatre Jets and Petite Gerbe fountains on your right.

(3) Just before another gate, go down a staircase on the left. At the bottom, go down the steps on the right. Walk along a fountain on your left, then continue along the extension, walking along a lawn on your left. At the end, go down some steps and go around the Bassin aux Chiens fountain on the right. Continue straight ahead, walking along a ditch on your left. At the end, continue straight ahead on a wide gravel path.

After about 50 metres, turn right, go through a small gate framed by basins and go down a staircase. At the bottom, go around the Bassin du Fer à Cheval on the left along a paved path. At the tarmac, go straight ahead and go through a discreet gate. Go down a gravel path that curves sharply to the left. At the next crossroads (small truncated column on the left), continue straight ahead to reach the top of the Grande Cascade (statues visible from behind).

Then turn right, go down a flight of steps, then a path and another flight of steps to reach the corner of the Bassin du Grand Jet. Then turn left and go down. At the bottom, turn left and reach the middle level of the Grande Cascade.

(4) Continue straight ahead along a gravel path lined with trees. At the end, turn right onto a short tarmac section, then go down a stony path. At the bottom, turn left and follow a very wide gravel path to the park gate.

Leave the park, take the wide underground passage and climb a staircase. At the top, turn left. Cross a cobbled street and enter a pedestrian tunnel. At the end, turn right, climb a ramp and emerge under the A13 motorway bridge. Continue straight ahead and pass under a bridge pillar.

Then turn left and cross the road at the pedestrian crossing. Turn immediately right, then left to cross again at another pedestrian crossing. Then cross Rue Dailly on the right at the pedestrian crossing. Go around a brasserie on the right, pass a taxi rank on your right, cross over the tram tracks and then go down to the left to reach the tram station (S/E).

Good trainers are sufficient for this route on paths and walkways in very good condition.

Conditions of access to the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud:
- Opening time: 7:30 a.m.
- Closing times: November-February, 8:00 p.m.; March-April and September-October, 9:00 p.m.; May-August, 10:00 p.m.
There is a charge for motor vehicles. 2020 rates: 2 or 3 wheels, €3; cars, €5.50.
N.B. Between 10 August and 5 September, access is limited due to the Rock en Seine music festival and preparations for it.

This very short route was designed during the lockdown in autumn 2020, during which the Parc de Saint-Cloud remained open to the public.

The author has completed this walk 13 times, with various variations, the first on 5 November 2020 and the last on 23 April 2023.

- French-style gardens.
- Ponds, fountains, waterfalls, prettier when they are working, i.e. "in the summer" according to the official website, without further details...
- Numerous statues inspired by Greek and Roman mythology.
- Extensive panoramic view of Paris and its suburbs from point (8).

For more information, see the official website of the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud.