Blois to Paris

[MicroLithium]

Hi all, I wonder if anyone would be able to help with my holiday in France in the summer. I'm due to travel from Blois to Paris on Wednesday 4th June, checking out of a hotel near Blois in the morning then staying in Paris overnight. If you look in the next couple of weeks, there's a direct TER from Blois to Paris Austerlitz leaving about 11:53, taking 1:40 at a very reasonable fare. However, when I look at the 4th June the direct service only seems to run early in the morning or late in the afternoon, which wouldn't be very convenient. Instead, for a journey around 11am SNCF Connect suggests a TER to Angers Saint-Laud, then picking up a TGV to Paris Montparnasse. This is much slower and more expensive than the direct TER. Does anyone know if there are likely to be any additions to the TER timetable closer to the date, or if there's an alternative route we could take that would work better? Many thanks in advance!

 

[mad_rich]

SNCF are a law unto themselves regarding random timetable charges, but I think this one just isn’t open for sale yet.

This page suggests 3-5 months ahead for TERs, so I’d sit tight for another month and assume it will appear in the timetable.

https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/help-en/ticket-sales-opening

 

[Peterthegreat]

There are major engineering works taking place on the line between Les Aubrais and Paris. It is possible there will be no trains.

 

[MicroLithium]

Thanks all, I've just found the temporary timetable showing the cancellation of the train I was looking at after 17th March. The temporary timetable says it's in place until 18th April, think it would be worth checking after that to see if the service is back on or are the engineering works likely to run through to June?

 

[Peterthegreat]

I think the engineering works are long term although the effects may vary.

 

[MicroLithium]

Thanks, I guess I'll just cross fingers that the works go well and that another timetable pops out later with a few of the gaps filled in.

As a backup, I've booked tickets on the suggested route via Angers, but I find it hard to believe this is really the best option given how far out of the way it is. Can anyone suggest a better diversion? DB Navigator suggests changing at Tours instead, but can't find any fares. If not, suppose we'll just have to pack a picnic, will be my first ride on a Duplex TGV at least.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

Angers is a ridiculous route - best alternative is via St. Pierre de Corps (Tours mainline).

For example on 04/06 - Blois 1146 St. Pierre des Corps 1219 / 1225 Paris Montparnasse 1333.

 

[MicroLithium]

Angers is a ridiculous route - best alternative is via St. Pierre de Corps (Tours mainline).

For example on 04/06 - Blois 1146 St. Pierre des Corps 1219 / 1225 Paris Montparnasse 1333.

You're right, that's much better. I can buy it split but not as a through ticket - is it perhaps under the minimum connection time at St Pierre Des Corps? Think we'd likely make it off the TER?

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

St. Pierre des Corps is a pretty easy interchange - there is a subway between the island platforms. Bahn.de is showing it as a valid connection, so travel hopefully I guess!

 

[MicroLithium]

Thanks very much, good advice

 

[peteb]

You could, if you wished go Blois to Tours to Le Mans to Paris or the slower Blois-Tours- Chateaudun-Paris. The latter route is very rural single track for much of the way, but probably too slow for your needs. I'd take the St Pierre de Corps to Paris TGV if I was in a hurry, and find a suitable Blois to St Pierre train or bus replacement to link to that .

 

[MicroLithium]

Blois-Tours- Chateaudun-Paris. The latter route is very rural single track for much of the way, but probably too slow for your needs.

Yeah, I think that would be a bit of a drag really, though we'd see plenty of the country! I'm going to keep checking in the hope some direct options appear for the morning, after the current timetable is finished