taconictraveler

Does the tgv from CDG to Bordeaux go THROUGH Paris, or START from Paris? or neither one?

StCirq

Not sure if all of them do, but every time I've gone from CDG to Bordeaux on the TGV, it's stopped in Paris.

TGVs that start in Paris do so from the Gare Montparnasse.

taconictraveler

Thanks, St. Cirq. You are, as always, the "go-to gal" about France!

StCirq

I just checked the TGV map and it does appear that they all go through Paris (whether they all stop there is another matter, though).

Man_in_seat_61

CDG is on the high-speed Paris by-pass line. It's used by TGV trains from the north (Lille or Brussels and once a week even London) to the south (Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille etc)

These are separate region-to-region TGV trains from the ones to or from central Paris, which go into Paris Nord arriving from the north and which start from Paris gate de Lyon or Paris Montparnassr heading south.

Man_in_seat_61

So to make it quite clear, if a TGV calls at CDG it does NOT call anywhere in central Paris, contrary to some posts above, it is by definition by-passing Paris.

Oh, just thought - you're not simply trying to get from CDG to central Paris are you? Then for goodness sake stop worrying about long distance TGVs every couple of hours and start thinking RER expree metro ever 5-10 minutes CDG to central Paris!

taconictraveler

No, thanks, ManInSeat61, we are now contemplating meeting a 4th member of our party, who flies in to Paris on 9/23, and who is going to be with us in the Perigord, (near Bergerac,) by going out to CDG and all taking the TGV to Bordeaux.
First we were planning to take the Paris/Bordeaux TGV from Gare Montparnasse, since we will have spent three days in Paris. Now thinking about other option, so we can all go down together, rent a car at Bergerac, and be on our way.

Of course, the problem is, what if his plane is late at CDG? So we have to contemplate possibly waiting a while at CDG. We DO want to get to Bergerac before the car rental closes, but may not be able to.

Other option now is to rent a car at CDG and let the non-jet lagged drivers drive (3 of us)
So many options, each with some complications, but still working on the plan!

Thanks for your help.

PalenQ

So to make it quite clear, if a TGV calls at CDG it does NOT call anywhere in central Paris, contrary to some posts above, it is by definition by-passing Paris.>

Yes but perhaps St Cirq was thinking that the stop at Paris-Massy TGV was in Paris as it is - actually only a short distance from Paris Montparnasse where most TGV-Atlantique trains originate from. CDG TGVs to Bordeaux I do believe all stop there but never in central Paris as the tracks from CDG do go around Paris as Man in Seat 61 says.

and for loads of great info on French trains check out not only Man in Seat 61's commercial and excellent IMo site www.seat61.com but also www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com. If taking many trains and wishing flexibility to decide once there which trains to take (as opposed to the discounted online fares which are I believe non-changeable non-refundable and which must be booked weeks in advance to guarantee) then check out the France Railpass - especially if landing at CDG and planning to take a train the online unchangeable discounts can be dicey as if plane is late you are out your ticket and must book a new one at full fare - the pass however can be used on any train - with it I would book a seat ahead of time but if you miss it you would only be out the seat reservation fee.

Nottingham

From experience---plane was LATE---missed the CDG TGV to Bordeaux--only option available was going into Paris/Gare Montparnesse for the TGV to Bordeaux--had to BUY another
ticket--lost $$$$ on the ticket situation---had to take the LAST train out in evening, because those were the ONLY seats available.......after that ordeal, I will avoid ANY tight connections!
Trains were booked up because of the time of year (Ascension Day weekend).....! Lesson learned.

PalenQ

Yes booking the discounted and unchangeable tickets to use after landing is risky - unless you build in several hours as a fudge factor and then if plane is on time you may be twiddling your thumbs waiting for the specific train that your ticket may onoy be valid on.