24. From Paris to St. Germain-en-Laye.

The two principal attractions of St. Germain are the View from the
terrace and the Museum of Antiquities, open on Tues., Thurs., and Sun.

The Steamboat Journey from Paris is pleasant but much longer
(3 1/2 hrs., return 4 hrs.) than the railway route (see below). The steamer,
named the 'Touriste', starts in summer from the Pont-Royal (left bank) at
10.30 a.m., and leaves Le Pecq at 5 p.m. fin Sept. 4 p.m.); fare 3, in the
reverse direction 2, return-fare 4 1/2 fr. Dej. on board 4 or 6, D. 5 or 7 fr.

A. By the Direct Railway.

13 M. Chemin de Fer de l'Ouest. Trains start from the Gare St. Lazare
(p. 208; booking-office upstairs in the central portion) at 35 min. past each
hour. — The journey occupies 30-50 minutes. Fares 1 fr. 50, 1 fr. 5 c.; no
reduction on return-tickets, which, however, are available for the line via
Marly-le-Roi (p. 363).

From Paris to (3 3/4 M.) Asnieres, see p. 331. From this point to
(5 1/2 M.) La Garenne-Bezons there are two distinct lines, with
different stations, which the trains follow alternately. To the left
diverges the line to Versailles. The St. Germain railway passes
numerous villages and country-houses. — 5 1/2 M. La Garenne-
Bezons. The village of Bezons, 1 1/4 M., distant, on the right bank
of the Seine, contains a loth cent, church and a chateau of
Louis XIV.'s time. The road to Bezons passes Petit-Nanterre,
with its large Reformatory. — The line to Rouen, Havre, and Dieppe
(see p. 432) diverges to the right. Fine view on the left, where
Mont Valerien (p. 339) is conspicuous.

7 1/2 M. Nanterre is an old country-town (14,140 inhab.), where,
according to tradition, Ste. Genevieve, the patron-saint of Paris,
was born in 422 (p. 279). Annual pilgrimage on Sept. 16th. About
1/3 M. from the station, by the main street, to the left, is the church,
dating from the 13-14th cent., but extensively restored and altered
in the 17th century. Near it, in the courtyard of a school, is the
miraculous well of St. Genevieve. A 'Rosiere' festival is held here
on Whit-Monday. In the Place de la Fete is a fountain with a
bronze figure of a reaper in memory of J. B. Lemaitre, a benefactor
of the town. — Steam-tramway, see p. 364.

8 3/4 M. Rueil (p. 364). The station is about 1/2 M. from the
centre of the town (steam-tramway, p. 364). — The train crosses
the Seine, which is divided here by an island into two arms.

9 1/2 M. Chatou (Hot.-Restaurant du Soleil d'Or; Cafe-Restaurant
de l'Hotel-de-Ville; others near the station) is a village of 4514 in-
habitants. The pretty country from Chatou to Le Pecq is a favourite
summer-retreat of the Parisians and abounds in villas. The church
(restored) was founded in the 13 th century. The Square de la Mairie
is adorned with a bust of the Republic. On the river-hank is an
18th cent, chateau designed by Soufflot. — On the other side of the
railway is the modern village of Croissy, 1 1/2 M. from Bougival (p. 363).