29. From Paris to Crepy-en-Valois via Dammartin.

38 M. Chemin de Fer du Nord, express train in 1 1/4 hr. (fares 6 fr. 85,
4 fr. 60 c., 3 fr.). — Departure from the Gare du Nord.

2 M. La-Plaine-St-Denis, where we diverge to the right from
the St. Denis line. — 3 M. Pont-de-Soissons. — 4 M. Aubervilliers-
Rue-St-Denis. On the left appears St. Denis (p. 370). — 4 1/2 M.
Aubervilliers-la-Courneuve. Aubervilliers (p 326), on the left, is
connected with Paris by a tramway (see Appx.). — 5 M. Pont-Blanc.
We pass under the Grande Ceinture line. — 6 M. Le Bourget-Drancy.
Le Bourget, to the left, was the scene of sanguinary struggles between
the French and Germans on Oct. 23-30th and Dec. 24th, 1870. A
monument to the French soldiers has been erected. — 7 1/2 M. Blanc-
Mesnil. — 9 1/2 M. Aulnay-les-Bondy.

From Aulnay-les-Bondy a branch line runs to (12 M.) Bondy, on the
line to Nancy, 7 M. from the Gare de l'Est. Tramway from Paris, see
Appx., p. 35.

10 M. La Croix-Blanche. — 11 M. Sevran-Livry. On the right
appears the Forest of Bondy, with the powder-factory of Sevran. —
13 M. Vert-Galant. The train skirts the Canal de l'Ourcq (p. 236),
on the right. — 14 1/2 M. Villeparisis. 1 1/4 M. to the S.E. of the
station (omn. 20 c), with an ancient castle. — 17 M. Mitry-Claye.
— 19 M. Compans, with a modern chateau. — We cross the valley
of the Biberonne. — 20 M. Thieux-Nantouillet.

22 M. Dammartin-Juilly, the station for Dammartin-en-Goele,
with 1600 inhab., situated on a height 2 1/2 M. to the N.W. (omn. 40 c),
and embracing a view of 25 M. round. In the church of Notre-Dame
are preserved the ashes of Antoine de Chabannes, Count of Dammartin
(1411-88), the heroic companion of Joan of Arc, and 'Grand Panetier'
(pantler) of France. About 2 M. to the S. of the station is the College
de Juilly, founded in the 17th cent, by the fathers of the Oratory. Among
its pupils have been many celebrated men, e. g. D Artagnan (1611-
73), Marshal Villars (1653-1734), and Montesquieu (1689-1755).
The refectory of the college contains paintings of Louis XV. s time
and consoles dating from the time of Louis XIV. (visitors admitted).

27 M. Le Plessis-Belleville. An excursion by diligence (1 fr.) may
be made hence to Ermenonville.

Ermenonville (Croix-d'Or), a village (493 inhab.) 3 M. to the N.W.,
near the forest of the same name, is known as the spot where J. J.
E.ousseau died, or possibly committed suicide, in 1778, while staying with
the Marquis de Girardin. The Chateau, now the property of Prince Radzi-
will, at the E. end of the village, wa? embellished in the 18th cent, by
Count R. de Gerardin; it is shown by special permission only. The Park,
intersected by the road which continues the principal street of the village
was one of the finest laid out in the l8th cent., and is more in the English
style than in that of Le Notre. The most interesting part is the Grand
Pare, to the left of the road and in front of the chateau; it is open to the
public on Sun. and Thurs., and visitors are admitted also on other days
on application. The Ile des Peupliers, in a lake here, contains the empty
tomb of Rousseau, his remains having been removed to the Pantheon
(p. 279) in 1794.