French train question

[MrsWonderland]

We are catching a train from Normandy to Paris return one day next week. The tickets I've booked say we need to travel with "original and valid ID" but I'm loathed to carry our passports around Paris all day.

I have a driving license but my kids only official ID would be passports. Does anyone know if it's really necessary. I have photos of passports on my phone but the booking (via Trainline) does specifically say to bring an 'accepted form of ID'

I can't answer your question specifically, but just to say that I have travelled lot on the train in France over the years (albeit not in the past few) and I have never ever been asked to show my ID. Perhaps it's changed or maybe it:s to do with covid, but I don't know why you would need ID

I'm not sure for France, but some other European countries carrying ID is expected... but not children under 12.

Thanks. I'm not sure if it's because I have to prove they are kids for their reduced price tickets (they clearly are and actually look young for their ages) but hopefully showing pics of their passports will be good enough. Just couldn't bare to be turned away but equally way too much stress having passports with us all day

It's very unlikely you will be asked for ID, but in France you are actually legally obliged to carry id with you all the time anyway. |t's quite standard in Europe - though it wouldn't be expected for under 16s. Your driving licence should be fine.

I travelled right across France and back last week and only was asked to show my ticket once. They didn't ask for ID.

You should have your ID on you always in France. It is the law I'm afraid.

That's fine. I'll have my driving license. It's the kids' passports I'm worried about but I may plead ignorance if asked and show them the copies on my phone.

You surely need a passport to enter France so will have them on you anyway unless you are a French resident. The law says you must carry photo ID at all times for adults so why not just shove them in a bag and be worry free.

@Molly499 because it's one thing to head off to Paris one day with my driving license and quite another to walk around all day there with all our passports.

Sorry ID for everyone. Although unlikely to need it you'd potentially be hard pushed to prove the kids are yours without it. Maybe take a photocopy of your passports.

My kids were born in France and I've only ever needed it at border crossings I think. But on the train our kids always always have their train pass discount cards on them. The fine is a minimum of 50€ when they forget.

I live in France and commute to work by train. It very much depends on the ticket collector. Some ask everyone whose tickets say ID is required to show their ID, some ask no one.