This trip started at the local Metro station 1/2 block from the apartment. The Rambuteau station is all steps. Steps up. Steps down. What a pain!! We had our Metro tickets and slid them in the stand and took them we as they popped out of the top. We took line 11 towards Marie des Lilas and disembarked at the next stop Arts et Métiers to connect on 14 Saint Lazare. The Arts et Métiers station was packed and there were guards to make sure that just enough people got on board and the rest had to wait for the next train. Crazy. We made our way up and down stairs to find 14. The car was packed also and we couldn't sit together. Disembarkation was hectic because Saint Lazare is adjacent to the Gare Saint-Lazare station. We didn't need our tickets to get out of the station.
This is always important to remember because sometimes you need them and sometimes you don't.
I knew from research that we just needed to get to street level and find the station. Once on the street, we had a 50 50 chance of picking the right direction to walk around the building. We turned left and saw what looked like a train station but it was a Hilton Hotel. We asked a shop keeper and he said that it was on the other side of the building. SO we walked 3/4 around to find it.
Staring at the Gare (train station), we could not see the "so easy to see" Grande Lignes signs. We walked up to a man in uniform to ask for help, but even though we said Bonjour and all of that good and polite chat, he just stared at me. His badge said security, so I guess that he was being secure. A woman jumped in and pointed us towards the correct door and up the escalator.
Our choice once in the right door and up the escalator was an automated ticket machine or a long line. Of course, we opted for an automated ticket machine and after a few false starts were able to actually produce two one way tickets to Giverny. We went in the nearby Starbucks for a coffee and croissant, some change so that we could pay the exact amount at the Giverny buy, sat for a bit, then went to the little ticket gates. This time we learned that you lay the tickets down on the ready to scan in the bar code. The little gate opens and we went to find our...a...seat. We were in the second class seats (note the 2 on the door of the train) and these seats are not reserved. Go early to get your pick of the best.
We sat with a woman from Canada and a woman who lives somewhere along the line. I know this because I struck up my infamous French conversation with her. It didn't last long but was robust and meaningful. I did not give her my Facebook account so we were just ships passing in the night. We Stopped briefly at a little town with the name "Jolie" in it so I took photos. Next stop was Giverny. Hopped off of the train, down steps to the subway that passes under the train tracks and then through the petite terminal. Walk to the right to find the 8 euro round trip bus to Giverny.
As we got on the bus, I noted that the driver had made a lot of tickets and was not giving receipts. I was glad that we each had our 8 euro exact amount because some people paid 10 (no change was offered). When we finally did park the bus in Giverny, we noted the location and path to be able to find the bus upon return. Now off to Claude Monet's famous lily pond and gardens.
