Does anyone know if I can book a RT leaving from Gare de Lyon to Avignon and returning to CDG--or do I have to book separate tix? If I can book RT, does anyone know how? Thanks

Technically it's not a return ticket as there are 2 different stations of arrival. And as far as TGV is concerned that requires seat reservation, there is no return ticket (you used to be able to buy RT tickets and separately 2 seat reservations for each leg but that's a long time ago). It's not that hard. Go to the following site and book each leg.

http://www.voyages-sncf.com/leisure/fr/launch/home/

You can book the farthest only 3 months (not 90 days) ahead so e.g. today you can book Paris - Avignon for 23 October but will have to wait for the return leg.

On the French railways, a return (round trip) ticket normally costs exactly twice as much as a one-way ticket. Italian railways' fares are the same.

Hi SAB,

There is no savings to buying RT.

Look for discount PREMS fares 90 days in advance of your outward bound trip, and then 90 days in advance of your return trip.

Keep the country "France". If you choose US or UK you will be sent to the Raileurope site.

You can use http://www.freetranslation.com/
if you need translation help.

Enjoy your visit.

Ira, as I pointed out it's 3 months, not 90 days if you can see the difference.

Thanks everyone, this is what I suspected. I have been learning how to navigate the SNCF site and how not to get bounced to RailEurope but still have the site in English--thanks to the postings here--and was pretty sure I would have to book separate tix.