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Unexpected: The exterior of the train gives few clues to the
incredible displays found inside
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Lavish: A commuter train serving Paris in France has been
decorated in the colours of the Palace of Versailles in an impressive project
A rail journey fit for a king: Paris commuter train has
carriages transformed to resemble rooms from the Palace of Versailles
By ROB PREECE
PUBLISHED: 20:55 GMT, 9 July 2012 | UPDATED: 21:39 GMT, 9
July 2012 / http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2171124/Paris-commuter-train-carriages-transformed-resemble-rooms-Palace-Versailles.html
Few commuters in Britain would describe their train journey
to and from work as a pleasant experience.
Passengers have become used to overcrowded carriages, not to
mention finding discarded newspapers, sweet wrappers or worse on the seats.
But some lucky commuters in France enjoy an altogether
different ride, as these amazing pictures show.
A train on the main rapid transit system in Paris, the RER,
has undergone a dramatic refurbishment - to resemble the rooms of a royal
palace.
The train carries the colours of the Palace of Versailles,
which was once the centre of political power in France.
And passengers who take a journey on the RER C line between
the Palace, which is
Ornate paintings and golden sculptures line the aisles and
even the ceilings are intricately designed. Other attractive improvements
include the creation of a mock library in one of the carriages.
The refurbishments are designed to evoke memories of seven
different areas of the royal chateau and its grounds, including the Hall of
Mirrors, the Gallery of Battles and Marie-Antoniette's estate. The changes,
which were funded by the Palace of Versailles, involved layering the interior
walls of the train with a high-tech plastic film.
The refurbishments were carried out thanks to a deal between
officials at the palace and rail operator SNCF. Versailles was the centre of
political power in France from 1682, when King Louis XIV moved from Paris,
until the royal family was forced to return to the capital in October 1789
during the French Revolution.
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Incredible: The refurbishments mean that the train's carriages
resemble rooms from the royal palace
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Striking: An image of a statue from the palace grounds looks
down on passengers
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Splendid: Ornate images can be found on the back of comfortable
seats
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Colourful: Giant scenes from Versailles have transformed the
appearance of the train, which runs on one of Paris's main commuter routes
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Enormous: Branches sprawl across the ceiling of the carriage
in this huge painting
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Powerful imagery: The train carries the colours of the Palace
of Versailles, which was once the centre of political power in France
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Beauty: A golden statue is reflected in a glass mirror on
the train
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Reflections: The refurbishments are designed to evoke
memories of seven different areas of the royal chateau and its grounds
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Booking details: Passengers can take their place alongside
an amazing display which resembles a library
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Vibrant: A once-dull door on the train has been transformed
with bright red and pink colours
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