help crossing Paris

[Ian99]

Hello

I'm trying to write some notes to help my girlfriend cross Paris Nord to Paris Montparnasse to connect from the Eurostar to Montparnasse and on to Nantes

She has 59 minutes to do so - but won't be carrying any substantive luggage and she has all tickets including the Metro one.

This is how far I've got:

Just before arrival at Paris, walk through the inside of the train towards the front. Keep the Eurostar ticket with you.

Go towards the front of the train and at the end of the platform, turn left and follow the signs down the stairs for Metro line M4 (it's purple signage for that line)

Use the small ticket to get through the barrier to the Metro.

Take Metro line M4 direct to Montparnasse Bienvenue (follow signs 'M4 direction Porte d'Orléans').

From Montparnasse Bienvenue, follow signs to Gare Montparnasse - these signs might also say SNCF Grand Lignes - it's about 750 metres involving some moving walkways

The train to Nantes is the 1746hrs TGV 8961 and you have a reserved seat. Before you get on the train there are yellow validators at the end of the platform etc. - you stick your ticket in them and they print a date on your ticket (it's probably not the end of the world if you forget to do that)

The train probably goes from platform ???? The French for "platform" is "voie"

If you just miss your train there is another 4 minutes later from another platform - you must speak to the attendant before you get on and tell him or her that the Eurostar was late and you have missed the 1746hrs.

If it all goes wrong, then you'll need to go to the SNCF ticket office and explain. The Nantes trains are about every 30 minutes. Nantes is their last destination.

Most French people will speak some English but if need be, here is a phrase:

"Le Eurostar etait en retard, j'ai besoin d'aller a Nantes. J'ai ce billet" (The Eurostar was late, I need to go to Nantes, I have this ticket)

Does anyone have any thoughts on the above - have I missed anything?

 

[Mike395]

I'd remove "(it's probably not the end of the world if you forget to do that)" - if your ticket is not pre-dated, you must validate your ticket before boarding, or risk hefty fines from SNCF if a ticket inspector is playing by the rulebook.

 

[Ian99]

I'd remove "(it's probably not the end of the world if you forget to do that)" - if your ticket is not pre-dated, you must validate your ticket before boarding, or risk hefty fines from SNCF if a ticket inspector is playing by the rulebook.

Thanks for the input - it's a Non-flexi Non exchangeable Non refundable ticket - does that suggest it doesn't need validating?

 

[radamfi]

I thought all paper tickets need validating, even if they are non-changeable. Home printed tickets don't as far as I know.

 

[Greenback]

I always though that non flexible tickets, with date and train numbe rprinte don them didn't need to be validated as they can only be used on that one service anyway.

Isn't the point of validating a ticket to ensure that the date of use is printed on it? Or am I hopelessly confused?

 

[Picasso]

Hello,

Some comments here below

Hello

I'm trying to write some notes to help my girlfriend cross Paris Nord to Paris Montparnasse to connect from the Eurostar to Montparnasse and on to Nantes

She has 59 minutes to do so From gare du Nord to Montparnasse it'sd about 35 minutes by métro line 4, including the moving walkways and stairs. So, if the Eurostar is on time, the connection time is just correct- but won't be carrying any substantive luggage and she has all tickets including the Metro one.

This is how far I've got:

Just before arrival at Paris, walk through the inside of the train towards the front.Not a very good idea in my opinion. At least 15 or 20 minutes before the arrival many people will be obstructing the corridor with themselves and their luggage's. I think that standing near the closest door is enough. Keep the Eurostar ticket with you No need to have the Eurostar ticket to exit the platform.

Go towards the front of the train and at the end of the platform, turn left and follow the signs down the stairs for Metro line M4 (it's purple signage for that line)

Use the small ticket to get through the barrier to the Metro.

Take Metro line M4 direct to Montparnasse Bienvenue (follow signs 'M4 direction Porte d'Orléans'). No, be careful, line 4 at south end has been recently extended to Montrouge, and all signs have been changed to "Direction Montrouge"

From Montparnasse Bienvenue, follow signs to Gare Montparnasse - these signs might also say SNCF Grand Lignes - it's about 750 metres involving some moving walkways

The train to Nantes is the 1746hrs TGV 8961 and you have a reserved seat. Before you get on the train there are yellow validators at the end of the platform etc. - you stick your ticket in them and they print a date on your ticket (it's probably not the end of the world if you forget to do that It's not the end of the world, it's a fine to pay. Except if you search for the train guard or ticket inspector yourself to tell him you forgot to stamp your ticket. In this case, no problem. But this concerns only classic tickets, printed tickets at home don't have to be stamped (and they don't enter the stamping machine "composteur))

The train probably goes from platform ???? The French for "platform" is "voie"

If you just miss your train there is another 4 minutes later from another platform - you must speak to the attendant before you get on and tell him or her that the Eurostar was late and you have missed the 1746hrs.

If it all goes wrong, Not if it goes wrong, if she miss her TGV, she will probably have to go to the ticket office to change her ticket for another train in which there will be available seats then you'll need to go to the SNCF ticket office and explain. The Nantes trains are about every 30 minutes. Nantes is their last destination.

Most French people will speak some English may be a little optimistic but if need be, here is a phrase:

"Mon Eurostar etait en retard, j'ai loupé mon train pour Nantes. J'ai ce billet" (My Eurostar was late, I missed the train to Nantes, I have this ticket)

Does anyone have any thoughts on the above - have I missed anything?

No other comments. Tell her to have a nice travel.

Éric

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Strictly speaking "voie" is track rather than platform.

Effectively it is the platform number, yes, but in some stations the numbers will seeminly jump rather than increase sequentially. At a terminus you are, however, more likely to find sequential numbering anyway...

From memory the TGV platforms at Montparnasse are the left hand half of the station as you face the platforms from the concourse.

 

[Squaddie]

I'm trying to write some notes to help my girlfriend cross Paris Nord to Paris Montparnasse to connect from the Eurostar to Montparnasse and on to Nantes...

Does your girlfriend know you're writing these idiots' instructions? If not, how will she feel when she finds out you don't think she's capable of finding her way across Paris by public transport?

But, seriously, as has already been said, it's probably a lot quicker to walk along the platform when you get to Gare du Nord than to try to make your way through the train. (Or why not phone Eurostar and change her seat reservation so that she's sitting in the first carriage?)

 

[Ian99]

Tell her to have a nice travel.

Éric

Thanks for your help, Éric

 

[glbotu]

From memory the TGV platforms at Montparnasse are the left hand half of the station as you face the platforms from the concourse.

That's not always true. My recent TGV from Bordeaux was at the far right. Track access from the station to the LGV Atlantique is from both "edges" of the station throat. Montparnasse is well signposted though, so it shouldn't be too difficult to get around. 59 mins should be plenty from Gare du Nord without luggage.

 

[Gordon]

Beware:

TGVs are sometimes double sets and the train number can be different for each set.

All card type tickets must be validated in the 'Composteur' machine, but print at home tickets do not need to be validated. If you forget the rule is that you must find the train manager at the earliest opportunity, not wait for his 'normal' ticket inspection run.

The best way is to book a Eurostar seat at the best end of the train, remember the rule, low coach numbers are nearest the barrier on arrival in Paris, highest coach numbers are nearest the barrier on arrival in London. (or is it the other way round - haven't been Eurostar for a while and I'm suddenly doubting myself!)

If the Eurostar is seriously late, you will get a stamp from the Eurostar staff.

However, if the Estar is 10 - 15 minutes late, it may be considered your girlfriend's fault for not allowing enough buffer time to cross Paris, in which case she would need to find platform staff at Montparnasse and try to explain.

 

[Wikipedia]

The best way is to book a Eurostar seat at the best end of the train, remember the rule, low coach numbers are nearest the barrier on arrival in Paris, highest coach numbers are nearest the barrier on arrival in London. (or is it the other way round - haven't been Eurostar for a while and I'm suddenly doubting myself!)

I have just returned from Paris on Wednesday and at Paris Nord it is high numbers to the station end low numbers to the London end (or at least that is what mine was!!)

 

[ModernRailways]

I have just returned from Paris on Wednesday and at Paris Nord it is high numbers to the station end low numbers to the London end (or at least that is what mine was!!)

Looks like they're throwing them out there now then. Mine - just yesterday - was low numbers first then high numbers at the rear.

 

[Nicholas43]

It's Direction Mairie de Montrouge, no longer Porte d'Orléans. And the instructions in the current Eurostar on-board magazine haven't been updated.
http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/r_86050/la-ligne-4-arrive-a-montrouge/

 

[brianthegiant]

At certain times there may be long queues to buy Metro tickets at Gare Du Nord. If there's a tight metro connection then you can buy a Carnet of 10 metro tickets from Eurostar. They sell them at the info desk in the departure lounge at St P (after security), maybe also at the buffet on train, but not sure about that option. If less than 10 metro tickets needed give the rest to friends or those in need.

Note also that all Metro signage is by destination station, not Northbound/Southbound like the tube. If time is critical print out a metro map before travelling, or might be available from same Eurostar info desk.

btw "Use the small ticket to get through the barrier to the Metro." this level of detail would cause offence with some people, but I don't know your girlfriend.

 

[plymothian]

Manquer is used to miss something like a train.

Therefore 'j'ai manqué mon train'.

'Pouvez-vous m'aider? Mon train d'Eurostar est arrivé en retard, donc j'ai manqué mon train, je veux voyager a ...'

helped me when I got stuck in the 'winter of disconnect' (wrong type of snow).