We arrive at CDG at 0600 and leave on the TGV from CDG at 1000 for a trip to Bordeaux. Any suggestions on food? Should we eat somewhere at CDG upon arrival? Should we buy food at CDG to take on the train? Can we get something that won't break the bank on the train? Thanks for the help. You all have been great!

Well, with a four-hour window, I would assume you'll want at least a cup of coffee and a snack at the airport. Then it takes 3 hours to get to Bordeaux, so yes, I'd pick up a sandwich at one of the (at least) two cafés at the TGV station and have lunch on the train. You can buy food on the train, but I don't recommend it.

There are lots of places to buy food in all of the main train stations. If you can stop in a supermarket, it is even better (much cheaper) -- and don't forget that there is no restriction of the type of beverage that you can drink. If you want to drink water or soda on the train, that's fine, but if you want to drink beer, wine, champagne or cognac, it is perfectly acceptable as well as long as you don't become disgustingly drunk.

There are several locations at CDG for the boulangerie Paul.
From www.paul.fr , these are what they list:

* PAUL 2E
Roissy CDG Terminal 2 E niveau départ Tremblay en France BP 30105 95716 ROISSY Cedex
* PAUL 2E Stand
Roissy CDG Terminal 2E niveau départ BP 30104 95716 ROISSY Cedex
* PAUL 2F1
Roissy CDG Terminal 2F1 - Zone réservée BP 30104 Tremblay en France 95716 ROISSY Cedex
* PAUL 2G
Roissy CDG Terminal 2G BP 30105 Tremblay en France

You should be able to find things there that would be good for taking on the train.

Eat breakfast at CDG on arrival and buy something to take on TGV on the way to Bordeaux.

I never plan to buy anything to eat on trains anymore.

On my first trip to France, I made a mistake of expecting to buy something on board. The choice was limited even if they were stocked. They always seemed to be out of anything I cared to buy. And the prices are on the high side.

I usually get a sandwich and something to drink. I have seen older couples travel during lunch time, and they seemed to know just what to do. Around noon, the older folks on TGV whipped out baskets they carried on board. Out came salads, then the main course, along with a bottle of wine and glasses, and finally the desserts.

If you get to the TGV station at CDG, go to the top level right above the entrance. There is a Patisserie Paul there, where you can get a coffee and some sweets. Don't remember if they had sandwiches or not.

Hi F,

The food on the train will be expensive and not very good.

And, you'll likely have to stand in a long queue.

Thanks for the help!

MaineGG, do not call Paul a boulangerie -- that is illegal! And Michel_Paris, do not call Paul a patisserie -- this is illegal as well!

<b>Paul</b> is a fast food chain that sells factory made items that are not produced on site -- so by law, it cannot post the words <i>boulangerie</i> or <i>patisserie</i> on the signs, and you will notice that it does not so.

Interesting. Didn't know that. I did buy a pain aux raisins from Paul that was terribly hard and stale - practically inedible. We much prefer Eric Kayser.

In my area, a tip off are the names depot de pain or huche de pain. The bread is not necessarily bad, but it has not been made on site or on the owner's premises.

I just took Lyon to Paris TGV. At lunch time, the locals and experienced travelers whipped out packages of "Paul" sandwiches, including myself. I went up to the Bistro car to see just what they offered. I could not even get to upstairs because there was a queue extending down the corridor to the staircase. So, get your lunch before hopping on TGV even it is by "Paul." It is pretty good, really.

Kerouac - Thanks for the clarification. Will I be getting a summons from the judiciare for my illegal terminology?
Actually I did hesitate a moment and wondered whether I should use the term 'boulangerie,' so now I know.

Paul is certainly not in the same league as Gerard Mulot or Eric Kayser, but at CDG, other than Paul, is there somewhere to pick up items suitable for taking on the train?

There are at least two places right at the TGV station in CDG where you can get food to go. You can't miss them - they're right near the ticket windows. Both are fine.

Kerouac

What? "Depuis 1889", non?

are you all saying that all the magnificent cheese that Meg Ryan's character ate on the train in "French Kiss" was just Hollywood movie magic? I am shocked to hear this!