What will we see on the train from Paris to Versailles?

Your last sentence nails it. I've been there twice and can't remember what I saw, it wasn't memorable. You might see a few trees. I don't think anyone goes for the view on the way.

Mostly urban sprawl.

Mostly the Paris Suburbs. The trip isn’t very long.

Reminds me of going from Philadelphia to Paoli on the SEPTA mainline.

There is an area of some very pretty stone/stucco houses along the way, maybe a few gardens by those houses...otherwise nothing memorable at all.

A lot of depressing suburbs apartments and urban sprawl -- it is a pretty ugly stretch. I remember thinking 'boy I'd sure hate to be stuck living out here if I worked in Paris' which many people who can't afford to live in the city do.

Oh com'on, how 'bout the tunnel under the Meudon Forest Park. Can inky darkness really be depressing?

Was two weeks back in the park of the observatory in Meudon, you can have there a nice panoramic view of Paris. But for that you have to get out of the train. Had not the impression Meudon is a bad place to live, depending where ofcourse. RER-C station Meudon-Val-Fleury is about some 15 to 20 minutes walking (steep uphill) from the park.

I believe this is the same train that also goes to Chartres. If so you can see some of Paris-though not all that scenic and the suburbs. Honestly, the train is not but not for the scenery.

dmwacu, whenever I take the RERC, I remind myself that this is probably one of the truest “live like a local” experiences I’m going to have in Paris. 🙂

Barbara -- yes, it is reminder of what life is like for most -- it isn't a lovely apartment in the Marais or St Germain but an ugly apartment building that looks like. a warehouse in a dingy border area or suburb.

Nothing. Really. Nothing.