I've been looking at both websites - SNCF and Rail Europe. Rail Europe is offering more options for times of day than SNCF (to/from the same locations). How is that possible? Aren't the train schedules determined by the rail companies?
Travel dates are June 25-July 2 (more or less one month out).
How far in advance are you looking? SNCF sets the official timetables, but only X number of months out. Rail Europe has been known to use historic timetables, betting that they won't change. Which is often the case. But they are essentially offering to sell tickets for trains that don't actually exist yet.
I really like using the SNCF app. Makes for easy access to all train tickets.
Please use the SNCF website or app for a much better experience. Rail Europe is a reseller. SNCF runs (most of) the trains in France.
I always use the SNCF app for my train tix in France. If a train is delayed, canceled, or whatever, it sends me an alert and the app makes it super easy to change/update my ticket. With a 3rd party you often don't have this flexibility nor the alerts/information regarding delays. The SNCF app also alerts you to any possible delays on your route (strikes, construction, emergency repairs, etc.)
See what the Man in Seat 61 recommends, he might suggest Trainline
SNCF is quite easy to use - app or website on the laptop.
I am currently monitoring a weekend trip labeled "not bookable". I know there are on-going track works. They won't release the actual availability until the route or a substitute is known. That may be what you are encountering for your travel dates. Rail Europe and other agencies frequently sell tickets before they are confirmed and that later have to be changed to the actual route that the railway company makes available.
You can check an upcoming week to see what might be later released officially by SNCF. At least you can get some notion of what might be available for your dates. Checking two weeks in advance on a weekend a couple months before my actual travel dates, SNCF did show a substitute route that would be acceptable. In other words, I can get from point A to B - not the routing I'd like if track works weren't in process, but SNCF is making the trip possible, posting as info is known.
We will be traveling by train in France on July 1. I booked my tickets on SNCF (the official site!) several months ago. You should be able to find what you need by now on SNCF.
I use trainline.eu for planning and sometimes for tickets; much more user friendly than the SNCF site.
I always use SNCF. Hell, they are the ones that actually run the trains. Everyone else is a reseller.
