Anyone travelled through france on the TGV?

[mrsmalumbas]

My parents live in France about 2 hours from Poitiers. We normally go to see them via either car and ferry (expensive, and long) or via plane (cheap, but we don't live near an airport and it is a hassle). DH was wondering about us going Eurostar to Paris and then TGV down to Poitiers then picking up a hire car. I assume you can reserve seats which would make it easier, and it is nice having the ability to walk around the train, go to the buffet car etc. Plus the prices are quite good. But I am just a but at the thought of negotiating two small children and all our luggage through the railway system. Anyone done it? Any views? Thanks!

your parents must live fairly near me im about an hour from Poitiers. I havent done it myself but a friend does it everytime because she hates flying and finds it perfect, she travels from Poitiers to Lille and changes there to the Eurostar which she said is far easier and less complicated than going the other route which I believe is via paris. She said its less hassle than flying and the car and easier to occupy the kids and yes you can book the seats

Hi there thanks that sounds encouraging I hadn't thought about Lille as an option.

Whereabouts are you? My mum and dad are in the Vendee near to a place called Fontenay le Compte. Actually their house is on the market - anyone want a nice 4 bed house in France with a huge garden?!

Hi there

When I was a nanny in Fance I took my young chages fom Lille to Maseille on the TGV, was billiant! Can't imagine diving it! The kids wee eally good, we took games and if I emembe coectly we had sot of cabins and they did have a sleep. Luggage not a pob as not camped like a tain hee.

My keyboad is boken....

Oooh, I went to Paris from Poitiers on a daytrip a few years ago - caught a very early train (surrounded by French people eating eg bread & sausage for their breakfast), had a whole day there and a teatime train back - it was fab, so smooth and quick.

Can't help with the eurostar changeover though, sorry.

MrsM

defintely recommend Eurostar with kids - done it several times. Going via Lille definitely easier - simple change - sometimes even the same platform! (however note that coming back from France>UK you HAVE to go upstairs in Lille to do the passport / check in thing for the Eurostar - then back downstairs again to catch it!)

Only drawback to Lille is far fewer trains (3-5 a day vs maybe 10-12 via Paris). This also means fares can be dearer and you may need to book ahead a bit further to get the best deals (Eurostar booking opens 4 months before, TGV 3 months (Duh)).

The Paris option will be hassly - though a lot depends on how confident you are, how old the kids, how much luggage etc.

Other thing to consider via Paris is that some (3-6 a day) TGVs go to Niort, which is a lot closer to Fontenay le Compte than Poitiers.

Still, all things considered, I'd probably try Lille as first option.

Best website for advice, ticket options etc.(by far) is www.seat61.com.

Any other questions post back and I'll try to help.

Ant (mand's other half)

Thanks - that's fantastic info, will pass to DH.