Sandy

Hi, <BR>We are leaving for Paris in 4 weeks. Staying at the Hotel Muguet in the 7th. For day trips to Chartres and Versaille which would be the best choice for train station? Gare Montparnasse or Austerlitz? Would we use the Metro to reach the train station? About how long is the journey? Any help would be greatly appreciated, THANKS!

Jeff

== <BR>A couple good websites for reviewing Paris’ metro system, as well as other subways around the world are: <BR> <BR>http://www.metropla.net/ <BR> <BR>http://www.subwaynavigator.com/subwa...set_subway.htm <BR> <BR>

Bob Brown

For the trip to Chartres, you leave from Gare Montparnasse. There is no choice. <BR>The trip takes from 60 to 75 minutes depending on the number of stops the train makes. <BR> <BR>The Metro station Montparnasse - Bienvenieu is on the largest in Paris. <BR>Three main Metro lines cross there. <BR> <BR>However, from the Muguet, Bus 92 is probably more convenient than the Metro because it goes there directly from Ecole Militarire whereas the Metro does not. [I frankly dislike the Metro and ride the bus whenever it takes me to where I want to go.] <BR>For Versailles, you have a choice of about 4 stations at which you can arrive. The station that is the most convenient to the palace is Versailles Rive Gauche which is reached by taking RER line C. You want a train that has a name that starts with a V, e.g. Vick. <BR> <BR>Line C originates at Austerlitz and travels along the left bank to Invalides, which is probably the most convenient station to the Muguet. <BR>From there it winds it way to Versailles. <BR>There is also a Line C station at Pt. de l'Alma. It located fairly close to the Muguet as well. <BR>I think I would prefer the l'Alma station because it is not so huge. <BR> <BR> <BR>I took the RER C5 train at Invalides when I went. It is a fairly simple matter as the train goes to Versailles Rive Gauche. <BR>

Fred

Chartres? Take the train from Gare Montparnasse . <BR>Versailles? Unless you want a long walk through town, in which case take the train from Gare St. Lazare, take the RER Line C - Direction Versailles Rive Gauche. Lets you off much closer to the chateau. For more Paris information e-mail me – [email protected]

Bob Brown

I can so spell Ecole Militaire. <BR>Done it lots of times.

Sandy

Hi, THANKS for the replys-one more question-about how long should I allow to get from the 7th (Hotel Muguet) to Montp. train station- appreciate your help! Is it easier or more convenient to go by bus or metro to the train station?

Bob Brown

I would allow at least an hour; probably more for several reasons. <BR>You have to find the bus stop. Then you have to make the trip itself, which is rather pleasant as you ride along several tree lined avenues. <BR>(And I do think the bus is more convenient for reasons I will explain.) <BR>Then you need to buy your ticket and find your train. Also, I think you would want to get there early enough to find a window seat. <BR> <BR>Montparnasse Bienvenieu is a very large metro station and it can be bewildering the first time you walk in there. I have been in it several times, and still get a feeling of being in a confusing environment. Also, to get there from the Ecole Militaire area you will need to change Metro lines whereas you do not change bus lines. <BR>As you approach the area by bus the huge Montparnasse Tower is obvious. <BR>The rail station is located "behind" the tower relative to Boulevard Montparnasse. The bus stop will be on the same side of Boulevard Monparnasse, but so many avenues intersect there that you will still need to cross a major avenue to walk to the entrance to the station. <BR>If you ride past a restaurant called the Hippopotamus, you have gone too far. <BR>And if you cross Boulevard Raspail, you have gone way too far!! <BR> <BR>The Montparnasse Bienvenieu Metro station is a huge place, and it is no trivial matter to walk from the Metro platform into the train station itself. <BR>It is a somewhat hostile environment for the handicapped!! <BR> <BR>Once you learn the layout of the place, I think it would be less intimidating, but until you have threaded your way through the maze a few times, I think you need some extra time just to get yourself oriented and aimed in the right direction. It is not a place where I would want to be hurriedly trying to find a train out of town, even if trains to Chartres run about every hour. <BR> <BR>I know I have ridden trains all over central Europe, north of Italy and Spain, and I still find Gare Montparnasse to be a place that gives me pause when I first walk in. <BR>And for some reason that Montparnasse Bienvenieu station does not give me a warm, fuzzy feeling either. <BR>Perhaps it is the long corridors and endless steps; or perhaps it is the fact that I don't like tunnels, but it is one place I avoid. <BR> <BR>I am not trying to over state the case. <BR>But I do think that the situation is such that you would not want to be cutting your time thin trying to find the train to Chartres. <BR>