Need help with the French on sncf.com

at the bottom of the sncf page, there are a few flags. Click on the British flag to get the English language version of the website Loisir reduit (Loisir réduit : Service d'échange et de remboursement gratuit jusqu'à la veille du départ, avec retenue de 10€ le jour du départ, non échangeable et non remboursable après départ. ) the details in brackets posted onthe sncf site mean that you can exchange or get a refund up until the day before departure. you would be able to exchange or get a refund on the day of the departure but 10 euros would be withheld. No exchange or refund after departure. TGV PRO 2nde : Service d'échange et de remboursement gratuit jusqu'au départ. Sous conditions après départ. Translation: exchange or refund possible up until departure. There are conditions after departure. TGV Prem's : Billet non échangeable, non remboursable. This means no exchange, no refunds Lyria (in red): certain TGV trains on certain routes offer this service. At the bottom of the sncf webpage the different types of trains are listed. If you click, you'll get more details

Thank you so much. I didn't see the flags on the bottom of the website.
But, can I print up the tickets in advance?

You can print you reservation at home, but I would wait and get your tix in France. There have been problems printers not printing a bar code that can be read by the French. It's easy to go to their tix counter and have them print the tix. Unless you have chip & pin credit card, you won't be able to get them out of the mchines in France. Also, I do not believe we in the US are eligible for the Prem fares, at least we weren't last summer. And, there is a limit to how much you can charge on an American credit card at one time. Last summer I think it was 150 euros per week, so we had to make our reservations over a two-week period. It did no good to call our credit card companies because this is a rail policy. It makes sense, but it is time consuming. They may have changed since last summer, but if you are charging fares for an amount over 150 euros and it won't go through, that is the problem. And, you can get your tix from any Paris train station or boutique

Patty,, anyone can get Prem fares,, but Prem fares are not easy to get,, lol , I managed to get a Prem to Rouen year before last, but not for return journey. Prems are very limited cheapest fares avaialbe and once they are sold out thats it, they go fast! Chun,, just so you know, second class is absolutely fine, most people bring their own food on the train for picnic as I can assure you the food in first is as bad as airline food anyways.. lol

Lyria is simply the brand name for international trains that go beyond Mulhouse into Switzerland. I don't think it makes a difference to the fare.

Thank you for all your wonderful advice.
Navigating the website in English is much easier. Now, for another question. There is a choice of seats. There're lower and upper deck. Is there any significant difference? My husband and I have no mobility problems, but we will have suitcases. So, would lower deck be a better idea? My husband is a tall fella. We're going first class for the leg room and increased luggage space. If I can get the Prem tickets, it's only about 35 euro/person, it would be a good bargain.

Upper or lower deck will have about equal number of steps. Your biggest issue may actually be getting in to the train. I didn't think my 8yo was going to be able to make the giant step from the platform in to a train we took last weekend. A lot of people prefer upper deck because it's quieter and might have a slightly better view. I have one child who is extremely sensitive to motion sickness and we have found the lower deck to have less motion and be better for her.