Lagny Transportation

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We had made arrangements with our friends that we would meet them at a certain time at the Lagny railway station. No problems, we were told, catch the train at the Gare d’Est to Meaux, stopping at Chelles, Verres and Lagny: the trains run to a half hour frequency. So, allowing ourselves plenty of time, we took the Metro to the Gare d’Est – and that was where things started to become interesting!

First we had a problem finding the appropriate place to buy our tickets to Lagny. As we waited in a long (and, it proved, the wrong) queue, we finally spotted a railway customer assistant wandering around and checked. She took us in the right direction, showed us where to buy our ticket, and assured us that we left from Platform 26. There was no train there, so as we purchased our tickets and (not comfortable with the empty Platform 26) I again enquired at the ticket counter. As well we did, because this time we were told it was Platform 17! I also asked about validating tickets and was told we had to ’pass them through an anonymous looking little grey and blue pillar. Take note, if your tickets are not validated you will be in trouble should a railway inspector come along’. When we finally caught the train, two inspectors did check tickets - and made life difficult for another passenger! Long before we left though, came an announcement that the next train was cancelled and we had to wait another half an hour – thank goodness for mobile phones, we were able to advise our waiting friends.

All the run-around at Gare d’Est out of the way, the trip itself was pleasant and took only half an hour. Our friends were waiting.