Train travel for four in France

Hello

We are a family of four (2 adults, 2 young teens)and will be visiting France in July this year. we plan to travel by train. I am trying to decide between 1st and 2nd class travel. We will want to sit together so would 2nd class be better as one of the posts I read mentioned that 2nd class has rows of 4 and 1st class rows of 3 seats?

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it depends on the trains! even the TGV don%26#39;t all have the same seating pattern depending on the age of the coaches and may be even whether a TGV has one level or 2 etc. I have to say that I can%26#39;t remember seeing 4 seats in a row (like a bench) since the days when long distance trains had a succession of compartments that were closed off from the hallway. By 4 seat they mean 2 seats/ one aisle /2 seats (all facing the same direction). This is for the 2nd class. The first class has 2 seats/ one aisle/ 1 seat but in quite a few cases there are 2 seats facing another set of 2 seats with a table in between. BUT there are seats in second class that are also 2 facing 2 with a table. Night trains have sleeping compartments and regional trains are another story. check http://www.seat61.com/France-trains.htm for photos.

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In either 1st or 2nd class you can get arrangements of 4 seats, being 2 forward facing next to each other and 2 backward facing next to each other with a table in between. In 2nd class you can also get 2 next to each other then the aisle then 2 more next to each other.

BUT - you have to reserve them correctly. If booking online you have to make sure to book all 4 tickets in 1 reservation and remember to use the choose seats option and not leave it to the computer. If you don%26#39;t see the option to choose seats look around more or go back a step or 2. It does work if you input everything correctly.

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Thank you both for your help. I will look carefully at the trains involved.

Cheers

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