SNCF Idiosyncrasies

If it suggested a number for you to call, and it is important to you (as it is, hence your question), I would call and try.

There isn't any reason I can think of that those two seats would be reserved for solo travelers.

perfect, thanks! As long as its not some long standing rule that everyone knew except me, it couldn't hurt to see if I could change it!

The seats were probably booked and paid for by someone else before you could seal the deal. No the solo face-to-face seats are not reserved for solo travelers. I'm sure there's a solo face-to-face available somewhere either top deck or bottom if you call.
When I had to change our reservation recently due to a strike, the computer gave us side-by-side, no possibility to choose in 1st when altering a ticket. This has happened to me before.
During the trip the face-to-face solos were empty, while we were riding side-by-side backwards on each of four trains, so I just moved to them. It's the computer.
Yes, it can be a PIA.

Aw boo Bets, I'm glad you got it worked out though! The crazy thing is that they haven't been taken yet, so I still have some options when I try to call. I'm kind of glad its not just me! :)

2 place side by side are in fact better as you have more room for your legs, and it's more easy to chat, to watch a video,...
Personnally, I prefer to be side by side and not face to face.

good point, I'm now torn :) I have always sat in the 4 tables (I feel like Italy has a lot more of those?) and I was excited to be at a 2 top, especially since neither one of us would have to sacrifice the window.....we shall see....

My wife hates riding "backwards", so we always get face-to-face so we can switch seats. The train direction is not always obvious when reserving and can sometimes change in route.

I don't think I've ever made a whole journey on an SNCF train sitting in my allocated seat. If the train starts moving and I see an empty seat that's preferable to the seat I'm allocated I just move.

I had the opposite issue. When I booked my ticket to Rennes a few days ago (on the earliest possible date), the only option for a single seat was across from another single I would have preferred a solo seat without looking at anyone else, but I am guessing they were snapped up before I booked. Oh well, at least my seat is facing the direction of travel, and hopefully the person across from me isn't unpleasant to look at.

I'm impressed with how user friendly the SNCF app is...and it gives you the option to cancel or exchange. Interesting/unfortunate you aren't able to change seats through the exchange option.

I actually played around a bit "exchanging" the tickets for other seats (auto assigned), hoping that I would get a different arrangement, but no luck.

So, this is what we learned today. I called them this morning, the lady was very nice, but when I asked to change seats, she ALSO couldn't change my seats without booking a whole new ticket, meaning the low priced tickets would be forfeited and I would pay the new price. Silly really, that they can't change things around either via phone. So the lesson: remedy any seat changes before the price goes up!

Well I am sorry it didn't turn out how you wanted, but at least you tried and got a definitive answer, so you aren't left wondering. And you still got tickets together for a great price ! And we have all learned something.

Hope you have a great trip.

Thanks! And now we know! I'm just grateful that's one less thing on my list to do!

Anyone need me to call France for them? I have 93 more minutes on my $3 Skype purchase this month! HAHAAHAHHAHHA

Oh that is funny !!