Michael

You can change the language on the sncf site.

PalenQ

try www.capitainetrain.com - same trains same fares as SNCF site but lots easier to use and book many say. Not sure why you would take the train to Bordeaux as Lilbourne is much closer - drive via St-Emilion, a wonderful wine town - literally surrounded by vineyards.

Trains can be dramatically cheap IF you book 90 or 120 days in advance as those discounted tickets are limited in number and also non-changeable non-refundable I believe. Anyway for lots of great info on French trains check www.seat61.com - great info on discounted tickets; and general info - www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

And first class for only $20 more for a longish ride to me is well worth the extra fee even though 2nd class on TGV trains is pretty nice but with bags first class more relaxed.

plambers

PalenQ, we can't drive a stick and can only rent an automatic in Bordeaux or Toulouse, hence my question of whether we should fly (1 hr direct flight) to TLS for $70 pp or train it to Bordeaux. I would want to first class it for the meal.

PalenQ

Stu <Autoeurope says there are automatics available in Libourne. Compact, seats 4-5, 2 large bags & 1 carry-on in trunk. Europcar.>

Guess you're using a different company - sorry. and note that fares as low as 20 euro 2nd class - 40 euros 1st class are very realistic - again quoting stu for fares.

Do French TGVs provide meals in first class - first I've heard of that but I haven't ridden TGVs in a few years.

Guess you are going in less than 3 months as many PREM fares do sell out as soon as they come online - and many don't.

StuDudley

What meal??

I would take the 1st class train - without a second thought.

We don't look forward to airports, "careful/strategic" packing, check-in lines, security check lines, security check, cramming our carry-ons and ourselves into too-small spaces and seats, and then the baggage check-in & claim.

Taking the train is something we can enjoy - watching the countryside pass by outside the large train windows. We'll often just throw our shoes & bulky stuff into a shopping bag.

My "trade-off" is at a 5 1/2 hr train ride vs. a 1 hr flight. More than a 5 1/2 hr train ride - and I'll usually fly.

Stu Dudley

StuDudley

Her trip is next June.

We took 2 first class train trips last year & didn't get a meal.

Stu Dudley

rosemaryoz

If you are going straight to Sarlat, why not consider either train from Paris Gare Austerlitz or flight from Orly to Brive-la-Gaillarde. That town is much closer to Sarlat (just over an hour's drive north) than either Bordeaux or Toulouse, and the flight or train times are roughly the same from Paris. There are good car rental choices there too eg Europcar and Avis.

Ackislander

OP says no automatics at Brive.

Perhaps should recheck with new knowledge.

Still would not fly to save an hour. Or two, even.

PalenQ

We took 2 first class train trips last year & didn't get a meal.>

I've never heard ot any free meals or even snacks on French trains in either class - Italy in first class gives a platry small coffee and a stale platicized pastry and Italian newspaper - the UK on some long-distance trains gives a proper meal in first class as Thalys trains do - some countries give a free coffee or beverage and a snack.

So don't take a train in first class just for a meal - there are many many more reasons to go first class than that.

plambers

HI. I cannot get an automatic in Brive. When we took first class train in Spain lunch and wine was included. My mistake.