A Day Trip to Andrésy

Our neighbor’s daughter recently moved out of Paris, settling in a city far to the west. When she asked if I’d like to come out to spend the day with her and her boyfriend, I said “oui, absolument!”—without even knowing where “out” was.

She sent me the name: Andrésy. Immediately, I began researching this city I had never heard of. Packing my camera and, of course, a gift of flowers (Rule No. 1 in French culture), I headed to Gare Saint-Lazare to catch the Line J. Before this trip, like many , I thought there were only the RER lines. Now I know there’s a whole network of Transilien lines (the regional transport system) where you can use your Navigo card just like on the metro and RER.

Hint #23: Anyone spending considerable time in Paris who can present an EDF bill in their name must get the Navigo Liberté+ card — it saves you money over the long term since the change in prices this past January. (Paper tickets are no longer offered in Paris. Whether you’re hopping on the metro, or taking a train out into the greater Île-de-France region, the fare is now the same: €2.50. Most visitors to Paris will use a Navigo Easy pass; Liberté+ reduces the price of a trajet to €1.60.)

Catching the J line, I passed through many cities — La Frette-sur-Seine, Herblay-sur-Seine, Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, Conflans-Fin-d’Oise, and more. Arriving at the very quiet Andrésy station, with an even quieter café nearby, I met my friend’s daughter. After a tour of her new place and a wonderful lunch, we ventured out to explore. The houses and streets here are delightful, many featuring cute plaques (e.g. La Maison Sevezen). After passing a magnificent château, we came to the Seine. Across the river, we spotted the intriguing restaurant, La Goélette, which requires a boat to get there. From Andrésy.

We wandered through the center of town, filled with quiet, well-maintained houses. I started to wonder if many were weekend homes for busy Parisians, seeking refuge from the bustle. Climbing the winding roads, we passed the town’s church and got a great view of the Seine from up high. Working our way back to the station, we passed two bicycles fixed together, serving as an unusual gate — I still wonder what story lies behind them.

After she dropped me off at the station, I headed back on the “J” to the frantic hustle of Gare Saint-Lazare in Paris. What a contrast, the transformation realized in just under an hour.