From Saint Germain en Laye to Croissy
chateau de Saint Germain en Laye / Saint Germain Castle
King Louis XIV - Louis the great - was born in Saint Germain
next to the castle : a landmark overlooking the Seine Valley : la terrasse
la Défense
Pavillon Henri IV
Pavillon Henri IV - King
Louis XIV was born here
some pictures of Saint Germain en Laye
View from the top of stone stairs next to the castle
in the distance you can see as far as La Défense (western business district of Paris)
... down from the stairs to the Seine
Seine river
... meets Oise river
river side from Le Pecq to Croissy
Mississippi ? no ! Seine
water and ground transportation
a gift from Michelin ... a long time ago (Seine et Oise département doesn't exist anymore)
the path to Impressinists Painters
small town Bougival on the river side
XIX century style stone built house
road signs of the forgotten past
Famous "maison Fournaise" source of inspiration and feeding for painters
"le déjeûner des canotiers" from Auguste Renoir was painted here (see picture above)
the english translation is "Luncheon of the Boating Party" . This painting was purchased en 1923 by an american billionnaire and is now part of the Phillips Collection in Washington DC
more details on : http://www.phillipscollection.org/html/lbp.html
original painting :
(click right to download)
Louveciennes : village of Voisins - nice houses, nice place, nice view over the valley
chemin de la machine / rue de la machine
this "machine" called "la machine de Marly" was the water power station to flood Versailles' palace ponds hundred years ago
two paintings by Alfred Sisley of La Machine de Marly pumping water from the Seine River into Versailles lakes
old pipes are still there
water pipes are lying under the lawn
the view on the Seine Valley up to La Défense
one the opposite side of Voisins
original painting by Camille Pissaro
another painting of Voisins by Alfred Sisley
old road signs kept on walls
