Hi hanl,
Was it by any chance voiture 20? I'm taking the TGV Paris-Angers and back and I'm booked twice into that voiture no.
Keren

Keren, I'm afraid I can't remember the coach number. I know it was a first class coach though, which annoyed me as I had paid more in the hope that my journey would be more comfortable, not less! It just felt weird because everybody was trying to avoid looking at each other, and you couldn't really look out of the window. I don't remember the seats having any kind of table either.

If you go to the following website, you can see the layout of the TGV Atlantique (scroll down to see the seating plans) - it shows coach numbers 1-10, but I would assume that coach 10 and coach 20 have the same layout.

http://www.train-rail.com/materiel/tgv/tgv_a/

Thanks, hanl. I was looking for such a layout table on the TGV site and couldn't find one.
It looks fine and matches my seating allocation, too - one is a couloir, the other a fenetre.
And I'm glad I'm staying right by the Gare Montparnasse and trying to pack extra light this time. I still remember that horrid day in 1999 when I trained from Brussels to Irun, having to drag a heavy suitcase through various corridors and platforms.
:) Not again
Keren

Underhill, my ticket is simply a ticket printed from the computer. I purchased online and downloaded my tickets. How do I stamp that? Will I exchange the computer printout for a regular ticket when I get to the station?

elaine123, I don't think the Prem tix have to be composted b/c they are only good for the trip on the hour and day on the printed ticket. Not able to be refunded, exchanged, etc.
At least that is my understanding.

Elaine:

Your original question concerned the amount of lead time to arrive at the station. That question has been compromised a bit, yours truly contributing. But when you are talking about the TGV, on which you must have a reserved seat, how can you be too early? What else do you have to do that day that might allow the catastrophe of missing your train?

Just go to the central information desk, show your ticket, and ask whether you need to stamp it.

I've use three prems in the last 4 months or so.

Prem's don't need to be "composted."

The conductor may or may not ask for ID with the ticket to prove it's your name on the ticket. I've used my passport when asked.

With my limited pool of 3 experiences, twice I was asked for ID once I was not. So that makes a 66% chance you'll be asked for it. :-)