The train, after leaving the station, passes some of the most interesting towns and villages in the neighbourhood of Paris, of which the most important is Fontainebleau. Dijon and Macon are good resting-places. Lyons is the largest city on the line. Avignon and Arles should, if possible, be visited. Among the branch lines which ramify from this great central railway are
La Roche to Les Laumes by Auxerre, Cravant, Sermizelles, Avallon and Semur. At Sermizelles a coach awaits passengers for Vezelay, containing a grand and vast church.
From Auxerre a coach runs to Chablis ([p. 14]), with its famous wines, passing through Pontigny ([p. 16]), where Thomas à Becket resided.
Verrey ([p. 19]) is a good station to alight at, to visit the source of the Seine.
From Dijon ([p. 20]) southwards to Chagny (p. 24) are the famous Burgundy vineyards.
Chagny to Nevers by Autun, Montchanin and Creusot. Autun ([p. 24]) is one of the most ancient cities in France. At Creusot ([p. 25]) are very large ironworks.
Macon to Paray-le-Monial by Cluny. At Paray-le-Monial ([p. 27]) a nun called Alacoque is said to have had several interviews with J. C.
Lyons ([p. 29]), though a splendid city, ought to be avoided by invalids in winter. Lyons is an important railway junction. 78 miles E. by Amberieux and Culoz is Aix-les-Bains ([p. 283]). 76 miles S.E. by Rives, Voiron and Voreppe is Grenoble ([p. 324]). Voiron is the station for the Grande Chartreuse ([p. 323]). From the station of St. Paul, 113 miles W. by Montbrison ([p. 349]), is Clermont-Ferrand ([p. 369]). 89½ miles S.W. by St. Etienne ([p. 346]) is Le Puy ([p. 86]). The rail from Lyons along the E. side of the Rhône leads to Avignon ([p. 58]) and Arles ([p. 68]); and on the W. side to Nîmes ([p. 101]). See [map, p. 27].