The RER C train that takes you out to Versailles from Paris (route in the grey box above) can be transferred to from the Invalides metro station after a walk, an escalator, moving walkway and steps.  It’s a real treat to go from subway cars to a double-decker train for the eleven stop ride that started out full of passengers.  A third was either going to work at their suburban jobs or returning home.   The rest onboard headed to Versailles were occupied with maps of the Chateau and grounds of Versailles arguing over their plan of attack, and others were busy deciphering the directions to their guided tour meeting place.  The sounds of children laughing and playing while their attending adults voices floated, filling the air with French, English, Spanish and German tones that were all suddenly drowned out by the sounds of a one-man-band as he passed through each car collecting donations for his performance and who earlier I thought was just a kind Parisian making sure everyone knew which was the correct train to Versailles back at Invalides but he was only making sure his audience would be in the right place.  

Barely anyone was looking out the large windows, not paying attention and missing the ever-changing snippets of French life as they passed by but the train didn’t miss them, the train sees it all.  It watches daily as it goes back and forth along these same tracks, watching the scenery change as new construction slowly takes form.  Oh, what sights must it see?

Photos from the train’s point of view, coming out of the tunnel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and then back underground.