After much searching, I have finally come to understand how miserable it is to try to use a Eurail pass in France. This was not the case last time I used the pass many years ago.
I now have 2 first class passes, and I cannot seem to make any reservations for any French trains. Eurail claims that they can do it, but everything comes up “price not available” even months in advance. DBahn also has the same issue. B-Europe says it can’t find any trains.
My first leg is 05/27 from Paris to Bayeux (small town in Normandy). There are multiple trains per day going that route, and there’s no way they’re all booked at this point.
I have $70 worth of long distance charges trying to call SNCF (didn’t expect that from my phone plan!). I wait on hold for 15 minutes, and the automated system says something very fast in French and hangs up on me. Great use of time/money! I’m completely fed up with this whole process. I’m about ready to cancel the stupid pass, rent a car, and drive everywhere. This is ridiculous! I put my entire itinerary into the app before buying the pass, and it readily suggested that I get a 5-day pass without mentioning it would be virtually impossible to use for my itinerary! This is practically false advertising! Unbelievable.
Is there any hope for making train reservations in France that I’m overlooking?