Major city · France
Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines
Go only for a reason: France Miniature with kids, the velodrome, or Chevreuse hiking. As a base for Paris it loses to staying in Paris.
Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (SQY) is a 1970s new town of eleven communes southwest of Paris, not a historic town. It holds France Miniature, a national velodrome and the gateway to the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse park, plus a large stock of late-20th-century architecture. Most visitors come for one of those, not for the place itself.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat, park crowds), winter (France Miniature closed)
- Airports
- CDG · ORY
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyThe town centre is calm and middle-class; the main caution is Trappes, which has a history of crime and riots — avoid the Merisiers estate…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers112 European emergency (police, fire, ambulance) · 15 ambulance (samu) · 17 police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCDG Paris Charles de Gaulle (RER B into Paris, then RER C or Transilien N/U; about 1 h 30 min total).
- Getting aroundThe town is spread over 11 communes and public transport is thin for its size.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4)
- Street or quick mealBaguette sandwich€4–7 (≈ US$5–9)
- Metro or bus rideSQYBUS single ticket€1.90 (≈ US$3)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€10–25 (≈ US$12–30)
- Museum or sight ticketFrance Miniature entrycheck the official site
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per room€200 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €110 (≈ US$130) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CDG Paris Charles de Gaulle (RER B into Paris, then RER C or Transilien N/U; about 1 h 30 min total) · ORY Paris Orly (Orlyval to Antony then RER B, then across Paris; about 1 h 15–1 h 45 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest Jul (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is spread over 11 communes and public transport is thin for its size. SQYBUS buses link the centres, €1.90 a single bought on board (cards often not accepted), and run infrequently at weekends. Walking between communes is cut by the N12, motorways and the railway. A car or bike makes the area far easier.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 20–30 min
Transilien N or U, or RER C, from SQY–Montigny-le-Bretonneux
Palace and gardens; go at opening to beat the queues.
Rambouillet
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Transilien N (Rambouillet branch) from SQY–Montigny-le-Bretonneux
Château, forest and market town; easy half-day.
Door to door: About 40–60 min
RER C or Transilien N/U to central Paris
Doable, but if Paris is the point, sleep in Paris instead.
Saint-Germain-en-Laye
goDoor to door: About 45–60 min
Transilien N to Saint-Germain-en-Laye, or bus links
Château, terrace and market; pair with a Seine walk.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Montigny-le-Bretonneux town centre
Around Place Georges Pompidou and the SQY–Montigny-le-Bretonneux station: hotels, shops, restaurants, RER C and Transilien N/U.
Guyancourt
Business hotels and aparthotels near the Technocentre; quieter, needs a bus or car for the centre.
Trappes / La Verrière
Cheapest beds and closest to France Miniature and the Chevreuse shuttle; check the specific street before booking.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–150 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 1 night × €120 | €120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €110 | €220 |
| SQYBUS single ticket2 × €2 | €4 |
| Transilien N or U from Paris, one way2 × €5 · check | €10 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €38 |
| Trip total≈ €211 per person per day, bed included | €422≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Baguette sandwich | €4–7 (≈ US$5–9) |
| SQYBUS single ticket | €1.90 (≈ US$3) |
| Transilien N or U from Paris, one way | about €5 (≈ US$6) (check) |
| France Miniature entry | check the official site |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | €10–25 (≈ US$12–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Trappes has a reputation for crime and past riots; avoid the Merisiers estate, especially after dark.
- SQYBUS buses are infrequent on Sundays and public holidays; check the last bus before an evening out.
- France Miniature closes in winter and opening hours vary by day: check the official site before travelling.
- The N12 and motorway junctions are not pedestrian-friendly; do not plan to walk between communes.
Emergency numbers
- European emergency (police, fire, ambulance)
- 112
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 15
- Police
- 17
- Fire
- 18
Pocket card
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Saint-Quentin-en-YvelinesSaint-Quentin-en-Yvelines
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
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À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- European emergency112
- Ambulance (SAMU)15
- Police17
- Fire18
Embassy
No embassies here; they are in Paris. US: embassy in Paris (check the address). UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland: embassies in Paris.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Transilien N or U, Paris → SQY–Montigny-le-Bretonneux: about €5 (≈ US$6), 40–60 min (check)
- SQYBUS single ticket: €1.90 (≈ US$3), bought on board
- Taxi SQY centre → Trappes: €15–25 (≈ US$18–30) (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- Un ticket, s'il vous plaît — A ticket, please (uhn tee-KAY seel voo PLEH)
- C'est combien ? — How much is it? (say kom-BYEN)
- Je peux payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (zhuh puh pay-YAY par KART)
- Où est la gare ? — Where is the station? (oo ay la GAR)
SQYBUS buses often do not take cards: carry coins for the €1.90 fare.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat, park crowds), winter (France Miniature closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CDG and ORY: last RER C and Transilien N/U departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Montigny-le-Bretonneux centre, Guyancourt, Trappes/La Verrière, Plaisir.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (France Miniature, Musée de la Ville, Vélodrome, Les Arcades du Lac) and eat pages with last orders.
- Baladobus and SQYBUS timetable fixtures so Chevreuse day plans can go green.