Okay.

On behalf of ira, I apologize.

Rex, merci bien de votre gentillesse!
Sans rancune,
mlaffitte

I didn't think you were a troll! P.S. you didn't answer me about the conflict between the two Conflans.

Or how close to the center of town the train or RER stop

sfowler, the original post states that the RER stop is a ten minute walk from the center of town.

mlaffitte, thanks for the tip and for the great French expression. Does this mean the French actually wear sneakers? Many on Fodor's will be shocked to hear it.

Is this trip likely to be worthwhile in the winter?

I KNOW they do, Nikki, at the same places we would and the same other type of place we wouldn't.
I'm practising my brush off, I mean scuff off

Actually, Nikki, the French wear baskets

Cross-referencing this thread: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34456238

Hi ml,

As I said, "This is about the only time that I am pleased that someone sent in an advert".

>"Lachez-moi les baskets!" It means "Give me a break," or literally, "Let go of my sneakers!"<

I am intrigued by how "les baskets" became "sneakers", as my dictionary gives te translation of "le basket" as "basketball".

Have you any thoughts on this?

ira, my LaRousse says it means ("láche-moi les baskets) "trainer Br; sneaker Am.
fm fig get off my back!"

I guarantee you that every kid calls 'em "les baskets", and has for at least back to 1993 when I first got involved with (AFAC) exchange programs for our daughters (typically fifth grade).

They thought for sure it was the one perfect shopping "souvenir" to take back home from Amerioca, and many a kid was in tears to find out that they weren't really any cheaper than they were "back home" (in France) - - but of course, there were styles that they seemed to think were not available.

Mostly made in China, of course.

They were called "les baskets" because they were worn to play basketball. (Is that what you were asking?) Some people in the US call sneakers tennis shoes because they used to be shoes mainly for tennis. Slightly more puzzling is why they're called "sneakers." I guess "sneakers" were called that because they did not click on the floor or pavement when the wearer walked, someone wearing them might sneak around unheard.

Re the real subject of this thread--I posted a link to this thread on the long thread re trraveling in France without a car. It is another good suggestion for peoplelike me who do not want the expense and stress of renting an automatic car and driving on vacation.

In the retail world, they're called larceny shoes

It is not advertising to promote your home town as a tourist destination.

It only becomes advertising if someone posts to make money of his post.

It is clear there was no advertising here.

It is also clear that this thread was started to post a very helpful travel tip. Conflans St. Honorine will be put on my list for an eventual day trip from Paris.

They sure could use our support there. Their wAY OF LIFE IS THREATENED See the lengthy chapter in Mort Rosenblum's, Secret life of the Seine. sORRY MY KEYS KEEP STICKING.

OK, here are a few more conflans answers...

To get there by train, take either the RER "A" to Conflans Fin d'Oise or one of the suburban trains from Gare St Lazare to the Conflans Ste Honorine station. Either way it's a 10 or 15 min walk to where the barges are. Fin d'Oise station is slightly further, but the terrain is flat, whereas it's a steep climb from the river up to the Ste Honorine station. To vary the scenery, you could arrive at Ste Honorine and depart from Fin d'Oise.

As for tension between the two Conflans, I've never heard of that, but I'm no expert.

re: visiting in winter, it's still worthwhile since the barges are there year-round.

Oh, and I checked the tourist office website... The Sunday afternoon riverboat trips run from May 16 through Sept. 19. Departures are at 3:30 and 5 p.m., and the trip takes an hour, costs 8 euros per adult and 4 euros per kid. Also some weekends they have lunch cruises that require reservations and cost more.

As someone pointed out, the tourist website is only in French ... further evidence that Conflans has not been "discovered." In fact, what I like most about the place is its distinctly working-class feel. Unlike a lot of the peniches you see docked on the Seine closer into Paris, the Conflans barges are not prettied up ... they remind me of a floating trailer park!

Thanks for the contributions mlaffitte!

Having dated a professional "pivot" in France, it is good to learn a saying which is more socially acceptable that some terms I was exposed to around the baketball court!

Sounds like a wonderful new place to investigate for its authenticity. Again, Merci.

Rex: Can identify with your "made in China" comment. Most of our Alaska souvenirs are not made in Alaska, but in good ol' China! Play the devil trying to find authentic presents for folks.

Thanks mlaffitte for your further information I've put your suggestion on my list!