Talk:Saint-Germain-en-Laye

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As I agree with the following description : "With its elegant tree-lined streets it is, with Garches-Vaucresson, the wealthiest suburb of Paris, combining both high-end leisure spots and exclusive residential neighborhoods (see the Golden Triangle of the Yvelines)."

I think it's a bit messy... Nor Saint-Germain or Garches is part of the so-called Golden Triangle (Le Vésinet, famous affluent town, Chatou and Croissy-sur-Seine) and it's seem a bit out of place here. Also it must be taken into account that Versailles is a "more affluent" suburb of Paris than Saint-Germain, with even more prestige. Well as a native Yvelinois, I wonder what other french people think about this ? :)

I once read that the Paris to St Germain railway (part of which is now the RER A) was the first railway in France. can anyone verify this? -- Tarquin

tracked it down. Not the first in France, but the first from Paris, August 24, 1837. Engines stopped at Le Pecq, unable to climb the slope to St Germain. -- Tarquin

Well it was. But that depends which definition of railway you use. It was th first publically usable passenger railway in France. The oldest line was in the Massif Central and was horse drawn. It is accepted that Le Chemin de Fer de St Germain is the oldine in France. I will look into my literature and give you some dates if you wish. [[User:Captain scarlet|Captain

As Tarquin stated, the "first" railway ended at the bridge in Le Pecq. The station was called St Germain but passengers had to finish their journey across the Seine and up the hill on foot or in a carriage. In 1847 the last section was built from a point in Vesinet (then still a forest) going up over the Seine and through a tunnel to St Germain. With a steady grade of three per cent it was operated on the atmospheric system, which means the train was attached to piston in a tube between the rails and pulled up by reduced air pressure in front of the piston. It was the second in the world (of four) to be run operated this way, and the last to be converted to locomotives (1860) because of the steep grade. The masonry viaduct near the Seine and the tunnel date from the 1847 construction. The terminal building was at the same location as the modern RER A station. The story is at https://journals.openedition.org/insitu/4192 (in French). I think some of this is covered in other wikipedia articles. JoeBrennan (talk) 21:13, 19 February 2019 (UTC)[reply]

I see user Captain Scarlet removed Achères – Grand Cormier station from the transportation section. This station, despite its name, is located on the territory of the commune of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Check any ordnance map (IGN map) if in doubt.

Also, note that Saint-Germain – Grande Ceinture station (on the Transilien) and Saint-Germain-en-Laye station (on the RER) are two distinct stations, located at opposite ends of town. Hardouin 14:00, 23 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The Church at Saint-Germain-en-Laye (just opposite the Castle) is the final resting place of the last of the Stuart Kings, James vii of Scotland and the ii of England, who was given sanctuary by King Louis xiv, after the former's defeat in Ireland. James, who fled the Field of the Boyne, when he saw that his troops were losing, went down in Irish lore as "Séamus a' chaca," James the Shit.--PeadarMaguidhir 18:59, 15 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Irish lore also has it, that after the defeat at Aughrim, James arrived at Limerick, before the messenger sent to announce the outcome of the battle. At the gates of Limerick, he met a good burgess of that city, and said, "My cowardly troops have deserted me." To which that fine lady replied, "Yes, but Your Majesty has won the race."--PeadarMaguidhir 11:32, 16 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I'm not really sure if he should be called King James in this article.

"Louis XIV turned over the château to King James II after his exile from Britain after the Glorious Revolution in 1688. King James lived in the Château for 13 years... King James Stuart is buried in the Church of Saint-Germain."

From the article on James II:

"While the Parliament refused to depose him, they declared that James, having fled to France and dropped the Great Seal into the Thames, had effectively abdicated the throne, and that the throne had thereby become vacant."

Does this not mean that he would not be called King James anymore? Certainly to most people of England, he was King no longer.

Michaelphonic (talk) 07:33, 20 August 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I have added different historical facts about the city, such as the exile of King James II and the treaty of Saint-Germain. I have also added the sports section which talks about a brief history of Paris Saint-Germain and it's Stadium, and the sporting facility found inside the city. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Siek91 (talk • contribs) 14:58, 18 October 2012 (UTC)[reply]