Hi Jerry,
You're right that the English pages are nonexistent! If it's any consolation, it looks like there are several languages drawing blank screens.
I would imagine it's a problem with the website and will be corrected shortly. But if you need to buy the tickets immediately, it's no problem to do it in French. Here are some tips on how you would purchase (starting from the French homepage, www.voyages-sncf.com):
Fully spell out Saint Pierre Des Corps for the city name.
Choose 2e classe for second class. (Not sure what you mean by second class daily.)
Hit Rechercher, not Horaires Seules.
This should take you to a multicolored screen listing different times for your departure from Paris. Color coding indicates the different ticket options available at each time. Orange is the Prem (premium) price -- non-exchangeable, non-refundable, but a great deal. The blue indicates that you can change the ticket up until the day before departure. Gray gives you changes right up until your departure time. And green is first class.
Click the circle next to the time and ticket you want.
Click on Choisir Ma Place to choose your seat. Fenetre is window, couloir is aisle, and duo cote a cote is for two people sitting next to each other.
Click Valider Cet Aller to validate your choices.
This brings you to a screen summarizing your selection and encouraging you to buy travelers insurance. Assurance d'Annulation is cancellation insurance, and the other is for late trains or lost bags. Make sure you unclick the box if you don't want insurance.
Click Valider Votre Reservation.
This takes you to a screen where you can choose your ticket retrieval options: Print at home, pick up at station using your credit card, or courrier service at your hotel in Paris. I believe Corinne's advice above about AmEx is correct.
The rest looks pretty simple. Remember Nom is last name and Prenom is first name.
Good luck!
